The Story Of A Power Cut

May 22, 2016, 10:41 pm

≫ Next: This Guy Tells You Where All The Good Guys Have Gone!

I had just touched the bed with my daughter to put her to sleep at about 10:15 pm that the power went off.

The AC and the roof fan - both stopped working immediately as if they were in a military service. In the absence of an inverter at home, I decided to make the best use of what mother nature had to provide to us - I opened all the doors and windows of the house. It was getting warm outside after a mild rain.

The cool tinge in the air inside soon merged with the warm, tepid gust outside.

We knew we wouldn't have current for another hour or so.

My daughter wasn't ready to sleep. She had got an excellent excuse to run away from the bed. On the pretext of fetching a water bottle, she turned on the torch of our mobile phones and began running around.

Soon we could see her playing with her own shadows.

Tiny, little hands engaged in creative shadow art

And sooner we joined her.

Her daddy held the torch in his hands so his petite daughter can use both of her hands to make shadow objects.

She created a spider with her soft fingers and insisted him to create a deer. In less than a minute, we had turned our home into a jungle.

Spider and a deer

Here you can see a spider trying to scare a deer but the deer isn't going to run away.

Soon after I joined them too in their shadow game

From an arm length's distance, I watched the two of them - lost in a game of their own. Creating their own light in the darkness.

It was fun to see how they were adding sounds and recreating a scene that looked like a story. I joined them too and for half an hour, we three forgot what happened or not happened in the outside world.

Sanjay's art on LHS; Mine on RHS

Our world was here. On this wall. In this darkness. Around these shadows.

Fingers tangled into each other. Make over voices. Swinging around to get the right frame on the wall. It seemed surreal.

An hour later, we crashed onto the bed. Pahal slept within five minutes while Sanjay and I made a make-shift bed in the balcony.

Lying next to each other, we gazed at the sky above. It was dark but was getting clearer.

He asked me, 'what do you see?'

I replied, 'Fairies. Vast galaxies. Another Universe. Blank space. Unlimited horizon. A field of spiritual healing.' As I told him what I could see (and feel) up in the sky, I felt a sense of healing within. Just imagining that there is so much to be imagined and explored, gave me new energy.

I didn't need any electricity then. I just wanted to get away and fly.

Then I asked him, 'what do you see?'

He replied, 'maybe patterns.' To an earthy person like him, patterns exist even in the most abstract metaphysical entities.

Finally, we had current supply and we both moved to our usual sides of the bed.

But this is what the power cut last night taught me.

(Source: here)

There is a light inside all of us.

The light of willingness to enjoy the present. I saw this light clearly and distinctly in Pahal.

The light of seeing something in nothing. I realized this light in Sanjay's mind when he could draw patterns and connect dots even on a cloudy, black sky.

The light of readiness to explore more. To fly out of the daily routine and imagine a new world. I felt the radiance of this inner light when I could fairies up in the sky.

A temporary darkness outside helped us in finding the radiance inside.

A two hour power cut took us away from our mundane schedule and pulled out the 'beings' in us.

We quit our lives here in New Delhi for a while and took a stroll in the other, skyward world.

This was our story of a power cut.

I believe it is important to pause for a while and unwrap ourselves from the multi-layers of the daily, grinding lives we live.

It is important to be able to find a way to enjoy the moments when the times seem dark, hot and restless.

It is important to hold our breath for a few seconds and realize the immense power of life within.

Do you have a story of a power cut?

If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it using the buttons below. Your each SHARE and LIKE is your token of love to me.

↧

This Guy Tells You Where All The Good Guys Have Gone!

May 24, 2016, 6:30 pm

≫ Next: Dear Indian Parents, Please Stop Doing This To Your Daughters

≪ Previous: The Story Of A Power Cut

I can't tell you how often I am asked, 'Where have all the good guys gone?'

While I struggle to answer the question with rehearsed phrases like 'you need to keep your mind open' or 'good guys are all around us' and sometimes with a quirky one like 'no guy is a good or a bad guy, he is just a guy!', Jitender S Bhatia has done a brilliant job at answering this tough question.

According to Jitender S Bhatia, this is what happens to all the good guys.

Jai was a Good guy. Priya was a Great girl.

Jai and Priya became friends.

Jai was busy

fetching water for Priya
doing her assignments.
laughing at her every silly joke.

Then Rocky the bad guy came along. He was charming. Apart from Priya, he was friends with Ria, Dia, Kia, Piya and Tia.

Rocky played Hockey. He was a Player.

Rocky was busy:

driving fast
dancing faster
being the dude

Priya fell for Rocky’s charm.

Jai was not just friend-zoned, he was slave-zoned, ignore-zoned, timepass-zoned.

Rocky enjoyed Priya’s attention until he was ready to move on to Jiya.

Heartbroken Priya asks this question to Jai: “Where have all the good guys gone?”

Jai smiled. Jai was invisible.

Don’t Be Jai. Don’t be Rocky. Don’t be Priya.

Be Yourself.

This answer was originally published on Quora.

Liked what you read? Don't delay. SHARE it.

↧

Dear Indian Parents, Please Stop Doing This To Your Daughters

June 5, 2016, 8:42 pm

≫ Next: You Must Watch This Ad Featuring Sania Mirza And Her Husband

≪ Previous: This Guy Tells You Where All The Good Guys Have Gone!

Dear Indian Parents,

I respect you all for the sacrifices, the emotions and the hard work that you put in bringing up your children. I understand our country is in developing phase and that the daily life of a common man is not easy here.

I feel the pain when I see fathers commuting through jam-packed roads amid the continuously blaring honking or traveling in rickety buses to reach work and I smile at the sight of the lunchbox dangling in one hand. I feel relieved to know that at the end of a hard day, you have a home to go to - one that you built with your hard-earned money.

My heart goes out to every Indian mom who is deprived of her sleep but still she gets up every morning to give breakfast to her children who start their days as early as 6 am.

I send virtual hugs to every Indian mom who hasn’t ever cooked a meal of her choice. It is always either the favorite dish of her children or her husband. I wonder if she still remembers her preferred taste.

My heart wells up when I see parents pampering their daughters thinking ‘don’t know if she will receive the same kind of love after marriage.’ As a daughter I was always loved more by my parents so I can relate to what is it like to be a daughter to loving parents.

I believe you may not be the best parents out there but you are certainly the most loving and most giving parents in the whole world.

But this makes me ponder that when we have such loving and giving parents in India then why is our society so competitive? Why do over 1,00,000 Indians commit suicide? Why do Indian women still haven’t gotten where they should have been decades ago? Why is India still largely a patriarchal society?

With such doting, hardworking and adoring parents, Indian society should be full of love, gentleness and kindness. But we are among the most depressed and competitive societies in the world.

(Source: here)

Why?

Because there are few terribly horrible things Indian parents do to their children, especially daughters.

Indian parents are giving but also equally demanding. They are hardworking but also risk-aversive. They dote on their children but they are more impatient with them. And this results in the kind of society that we live in.

Through this open letter, I urge all Indian parents to please stop doing the following to their children and help us in building a country that we are all proud of.

(Source: here)

Stop insisting on grades. Insist on Learning.

Enough has been said, written, ranted about and researched upon Indian parents’ fixation with grades and rankings and college names. We often hear them boasting of ‘I worked hard so that I could send you to that school.’ And all goes wrong right here itself. It is not the school or the college or the subjects or the grades that matter. It is the learning that matters the most.

Sending your kid to the best of the school or the best college will not guarantee excellence. Deep learning will.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to study literature but my parents pushed me to study science. Now, at the age of 35 I am studying what I have always wanted to. I wish my parents could let me study a subject of my choice and could save so much of my precious time.

Stop being obsessed with grades and rankings and subjects. Be obsessed with the talents your children have and let them hone those talents. Unknowingly we kills thousands of would-be Picasso, Da-Vinci and Kishore Kumars. Our country has abundance of talent but it all goes wasted in pursuit of grades that stop being of any use after a while.

Stop being risk-aversive. Let your children take risks. If they fail, let them own up to them. You do not have to jump in and feel responsible for their future and worry unnecessarily.

I think the problem is that Indian parents are way too attached with their children and their children’s future. This is the reason they cling onto their children’s performance in exams so as to be assured in their mind that their children would lead a better life.

But this isn’t the solution. Precaution isn’t the way to safety. Strength is.

Let them be strong. Let them deal with things on their own. Let them take charge of their life.

My parents never came to drop me off or pick me up from any place. He let me be on my own. Initially I was scared but with time I became stronger. Today I feel thankful to him for letting me on my own. This has instilled courage and fearlessness in me.

Stop being obsessed with marriage.

This is the biggest grudge I have with Indian parents. The day their daughters enter college, Indian parents find a new goal - to find a match for her as if the daughter is dying without getting married.

You do not realize what all you kill by putting her in matrimony at such an early age. I know many girls who were married young and are leading a happy, healthy life today. But I wish you could leave the decision of getting married upon the daughter. Let her decide. It is her marriage after all.

Another major problem of Indian parents that indirectly contributes hugely to patriarchy is that they teach their daughters to put marriage above everything else.

When it is mandatory for men to be able to earn before getting married, why isn’t it the same with women?

I understand in most cases it is about two things - societal norms and safety.

Safety isn’t a concern anymore as we see more and more girls taking up jobs at young age of 21 or 22.

Societal norms? Who sets these norms? Other people - parents of somebody else.

Even if others constantly brick you with questions about your children’s marriage, kindly ignore them. You don’t want to shape your children’s future based on what ‘others’ say about it.

Most Indian parents I know start working on the agenda of marriage early on. In the process of getting their daughters ready for marriage, they condition her in a way that her marriage is supreme to her and nothing else matters before marriage.

(Source: here)

Please for God’s sake, teach her about the things that are of much greater value than marriage.

Teach her to never compromise on her self esteem.

Teach her to stand up for herself even when no one else does.

Tell her that she has every right to be selfish and stay happy. She doesn’t have to be a martyr every day.

Stop tabooing sex

Almost a decade ago a friend said, ‘before I got married, my mom told me to not only give one but also get one.’

I was amazed how conveniently her mom has said to her what girls today find hard to talk about even in their friend circle. I wish every Indian mom could teach her girl to not only give an orgasm to her husband but to also get one for herself.

Please stop making sex a taboo. Talk to her openly. Tell her what it is and how it is a pleasure.

Please explain to her that Orgasm is a gift to woman by mother nature. Suggest her to enjoy sex and not think of it as a duty. The act of sex can be as pleasurable for women as it is for men. Sadly, most Indian women don’t realize this.

Stop victimizing her

I understand you love your daughters a lot but love does not mean letting your daughter be a flag of your respect in the society.

Love means letting one live a life of dignity.

Teach her about her rights. Tell her what all she can ask for as a woman. Stop victimizing her by weighing her down with expectations of a perfect wife, mother and a daughter-in-law.

Instead stand behind her as she moves on the ladder to live a life of self-respect and a life of her own choices.

Stop blaming her if her husband goes stray.

Stop blaming her if her kids misbehave or fail in an exam.

Stop putting her responsible for anything and everything that goes wrong in her life.

You are her parents. Love her now the way you loved her when she was a young child.

Dear Indian Parents,

With a little patience, tad bit of unconventional thinking and tiny bit of change in the way you bring your daughters up and get them ready to take on life, you can completely reverse the face of Indian society.

If all parents let their daughters choose

If all parents let their daughters live, laugh and loiter..

If all parents believe in this quote by Isaiah Mustafa - “I hope that my daughter grows up empowered and doesn’t define herself by the way she looks but by qualities that make her intelligent, strong and responsible woman”

If all parents let their children be what they truly want to be..

Indian parents will be the best parents in the world.

Liked this post? Please share it and help me in bringing more such posts to you.

↧

You Must Watch This Ad Featuring Sania Mirza And Her Husband

June 6, 2016, 9:00 am

≫ Next: I Want To Touch The Rainbow

≪ Previous: Dear Indian Parents, Please Stop Doing This To Your Daughters

Want a cuteness overload? Watch this ad that features Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and her handsome husband and Pakistani cricket player, Shoaib Malik.

The ad is said to be trending in Pakistan and why not. You get to see the usual nok-jhonk of a husband and a wife in it. Not only that, you also get to see an Indian and a Pakistani debating over their preferred choices.

Watch it here.

Liked it? Share it with your friends.

↧

I Want To Touch The Rainbow

June 8, 2016, 8:35 pm

≫ Next: What Is So Special About Mummy's Home?

≪ Previous: You Must Watch This Ad Featuring Sania Mirza And Her Husband

As a young girl, I wanted to touch the rainbow.

To walk on the clouds
To inhale bright moonlight
And to sleep on the soft grass.

With time, these wishes grew into real aspirations.

I wanted a better job,
A foreign trip
A loving husband
A good house
A child
And a reliable maid.

Few years later, I got married and most of my aspirations became realities.

I quit my job.
Got a loving husband and a cheerful child
Living in a good house
And boasting of a honest house help.

Now, I want to be young again.

To be able to laugh notoriously.
To sleep without worrying
To gossip with friends without thinking
To rush to mummy at the first thought
To demand little things from papa once again.

Once again, I want to touch the rainbow.
To sleep on the soft grass
And to walk on the clouds.

This picture is quite close to what I wanted as a young girl. I was very close to the clouds, inhaling the crisp, fresh air, about to fall in the nature of the lap.

Last 35 years have taught me the importance of dreams.

It is essential to dream. To think of places you have never been to. To become a child at the first chance given. And to never lose contact with yourself.

↧

What Is So Special About Mummy's Home?

June 9, 2016, 7:30 pm

≫ Next: Does Your Family Engage With Others As A Unit?

≪ Previous: I Want To Touch The Rainbow

Right now I am at my mother’s home. My sister and I came here the day before yesterday and we will be spending five to six days reliving many past memories and creating new ones.

Last night, as I slept peacefully on the same, twenty-year old bed I remember as a child, I asked myself a question - what is so special about this house? What makes it different from the rest of the world? Why is it that we always say 'I am going to Mummy's home'?

I am not a homesick person. At the age of twenty-two, I left this house, the only home I had known, to work in an MNC in Bangalore. That was in early 2004. Since then, I never had a chance to live here again. I have stayed in this home for many weeks and even months at stretch but I haven’t lived here since then.

Still, I always long to come back to this same place, sleep on the same bed, use the same things and lean against the same walls.

It seems this home has adjusted itself to my needs and wants and wishes. The bed's mattress fits so well on my back that it has now formed a trough in the middle, the almirah seems to have created unlimited space for my increasing wardrobe and collection, the kitchen knows exactly my taste and preference, and the terrace is the place that well understands my need for some silent “me” time.

A day before coming here, when I announced my plans to Sanjay and told him that I was going home, he teased me by saying “Your home is this. That is not your home anymore.”

The moment he said it, my heart twitched a bit. And I pleaded, “Don’t say that. For me, that will be my home first.”

He asked, “Explain how. This should be your first home because you have created it.”

I answered honestly, “Exactly. This is my home too because I created it. I built it emotionally. But that is my home too because that was created for me and my siblings and mommy by Papa and also because I created that home too with my past emotions and memories.”

A metal painting I made when I was about 12 years old

My sister and I often discuss the reasons this place always draws us back. We both live a rather independent life in Delhi. We sleep and wake up as we wish. Okay, she does not because she works and she has to follow a routine, but when she comes here, she is on holiday so she can sleep late. But I do have the luxury at my home in Delhi.

My home in Delhi runs under my supervision. I decide when to sleep and I set the morning alarm clock. I decide what will be cooked and how things will be arranged. It is my institution and I lead it. I hardly have a restriction there and I absolutely love living there, mostly because I don’t feel under any pressure. I am liberated after marriage.

My family home in Meerut resonates with pressure, even today. My father wakes up at 5 am and so we all have to wake up early, by 7 am at the latest. We cannot watch TV for long because Papa does not like it. We cannot move things around because Mummy is used to the things at their places, she does not appreciate if we try to arrange things our way. We cannot even change the crockery of the house because Papa loves simplicity and Mummy is always in favor of comfortable, easy-to-clean things. My sister and I do not have the liberty to do things our way here or to change the existing set up in any way.

Park right outside our home in Meerut

We still do our bit by helping Mummy in arranging the shelves she finds difficult to reach, and we change Papa’s phone’s and laptop’s settings when he feels stuck somewhere. But that is it. Even now my sister and I do not feel the urge to force our opinions here. We know and understand that Mummy and Papa have now adjusted themselves to a new daily routine and we do not want to disturb it in any way. We simply want them to be comfortable, that is all.

Why then, despite pressure at mummy’s home and the freedom at our individual houses, do we still feel so attached with this, our childhood home? I think I may have some answers.

1. Mummy (and Papa)– These are the biggest reasons we come back to this place. I will not enter this house if mummy and papa stop living here. Home is where your parents are. After marriage, a girl hardly gets the chance to live with her parents the way she used to and she still craves for those similar times. Staying with parents helps in bringing those moments back. It is mostly about Mummy though. You may discuss your job related things with Papa, but you can talk about your mum-in-law only to your mother (or so I assume). You instantly feel connected to your mother after marriage because now you better understand things from a mother’s perspective.

2. Familiarity - This is what that makes this place the most amazing place in the world. This home seems so familiar. It has been here, on this land, for the last fifteen years. I saw this being built in front of me. I know what went into the making of this house and what lays inside it. In my own house in Delhi, I haggle with small things like nail-cutters and glues, but here, in this home in Meerut, I can immediately lay my hands on such things for they have been put in the same place for fifteen years. Not just my mind, my hands are used to finding things in place here.

MY shelf that has only my photos and things I collected from different places

3. Memories - We would never want to lead a life devoid of memories. This home brings so many of the memories back. Each time we come here, my sister and I rummage through the old trunks and suit cases and we find something related to our childhood. These are the moments that we can hardly have in our new homes. Maybe when we have lived there for fifteen years, we will get excited in the same way on finding a thing related to our newly-wed years, but for now, such memories exist only in this home.

4. A Shared Past - In this home, I have shared my past with others - parents, siblings and even neighbors. In my Dehli home, I am living it right now with my husband and daughter so that I have common. New, shared memories with them. But right now, my shared past before marriage goes back twenty-eight years, while my current life and memories are only six years old.

I think these are just some of the reasons (that I could think of) why I keep coming back to my home, my Mummy's home. I like sitting on the terrace, engaging in unnecessary conversations with neighborhood aunties, sleeping on that old, flexible bed, digging out old memories and simply laying on mum's lap and indulging on delicacies that Papa brings from the known, tried and tested shops.

This place - it was my home for almost three decades - it has defined me and shaped me as a person - it has so much to offer me each time I come here - it has seen me grown up from an ambitious, wild young girl to a sensitive but crazy woman - it has given me the hopes, dreams and desires that now characterize me – it is my Mummy's home. This will always be my first home, no matter how many homes I build in the future.

I am sure you harbor the same feelings as I do about our Mummy's home. But I would still like to know what is it that makes your home special. Waiting to read in comments.

↧

Does Your Family Engage With Others As A Unit?

June 10, 2016, 7:10 pm

≫ Next: Seven Years Of Togetherness

≪ Previous: What Is So Special About Mummy's Home?

Every family functions as a unit, and in this unit, each individual brings his or her own interactions. In my maternal family, I am more of the emotional support, my sister is the care giver, my brother is the support system in terms of doing outdoor chores, mummy has the ultimate loving heart while Papa is the backbone. When we are together, we form one single unit with these dimensions. People are amazed by the way we engage with each other in gatherings and also the way we engage with others as a family.

(Pahal, last evening)

Last evening we went to a nearby mall. We stepped out after a long time thinking Pahal needs a change (Btw, she is doing well, she is recovering). After a bit of shopping, we went to the food court. As I waited for Sanjay to bring our meals, I began noticing a small family that was sharing our table with us. It was just the three of them - husband, wife and a young girl of Pahal's age.

The young girl kept coming towards me, maybe because she wanted to interact with Pahal. Each time she even leaned towards my side, her daddy gave her a stern warning – “baby.. wahan mat jao” (baby.. don’t go there). I told her it was okay but she still got warnings from him. It happened two times. I glanced at the man and noticed his serious expression.

The third time the baby came towards me, I politely engaged her in a conversation. Her father didn't stop her this time. I asked her what was her name and she didn't answer so her father tried to cajole her, “bata do.. naam bata do..” (tell your name). She finally told me that her name was Srishti.

Her mom returned after getting meals for her family and she got busy eating; she no longer came to my side of the table.

In the meantime, Sanjay returned with our meals. Pahal was on a pram and we two sat across from each other forming a small triangle. Sanjay and I together not only fed Pahal and bore with her tantrums, we also discussed a lot of things - the taste of the food, quality, busyness of the place, Pahal's changing tastes while ill, the shopping that we did and more. Yet the couple next to us was silent, eating their food with few lines in between.

(Pahal and I making fun of Sanjay in one of the family outings)

That was it. This was all that happened. But it has stayed with me.

I have been thinking about how some families have their family time but do not have family interactions. I understand, “to each family his own”, but I feel how you engage with others as a family tells a lot about your family harmony and family interactions.

Sometimes we meet trusting families, where one family member makes a remark while another family member is absent, and when that absent person arrives he joins in the discussion swiftly and gently takes the remark (whatever it may be) positively and carries on with the conversation. Such is the trust that a family has within its members.

Last week, my sister-in-law, Didi, was here with her daughter. Their daughter scored 10 GPA in tenth class and this called for a celebration. To congratulate her, my neighbor gave a gift pack of chocolates to the young girl and asked for a party. Didi replied, “We will surely give you a party as soon as her daddy comes home”. Couple of days later, my neighbor was here along with Didi and Jeejaji. That is when Didi said, “we need to give her a party, so when we are going out?” to which Jeejaji politely smiled and said, “whenever you say”.

My neighbor found it so amazing that she mentioned to me, “You guys have a great family. It is wonderful to see that one spouse commits to something in absence of another and the latter only agrees to it and doesn't question it”.

(Source: Pinterest)

Her remark made me think, “Yes, it is extremely important to have coherence in one's family”. This coherence and harmony is what gets reflected when we interact with others as a unit, as a family.

Sanjay and I have a policy - to never disagree in public. We still disagree though, but only when we are with people we can trust and we are comfortable with. In front of acquaintances, we always try to keep one, single line of thought. This helps us in three ways:

1. It helps align our thoughts when we do not know if we should clearly voice our opinions in a given situation.

2. It gives us a feeling of being one, family, unit.

3. It lets us test the other people. There is absolutely no need to open up your family in front of others you do not know well. Let only the near and dear ones know the differences and appreciate them.

You should talk as individuals in front of those who appreciate your individuality and understand the differences. Do not make your differences a subject of mockery and fun for others, you are only calling for insult upon you and your marriage.

Sanjay, Pahal and I are a small, nuclear family where we practice minimalism (in whatever ways we can). We do not indulge in unnecessary gossip or socializing, practice the fundamental virtues of life (honesty, trust worthiness and compassion) and immense love for each other. This is how we are and this is exactly how we engage with others as well.

Hope you enjoyed reading this post. If it helped you in some way, please share it with your friends and family by clicking on the buttons above and help them too!

↧

Seven Years Of Togetherness

June 12, 2016, 1:34 am

≫ Next: 10 Best Road Trip for Bikers in India

≪ Previous: Does Your Family Engage With Others As A Unit?

Seven colors of the rainbow

Seven circles around the sacred fire

Seven days of the week

Seven virtues of human nature

And Seven years of togetherness.

In Bible, the number seven denotes completeness.

In my life, the number seven denotes years of love, laughter and learning.

Seven years ago, this day, I tied the knot with a man who drove me crazy with his simplicity, consistency and rigidness.

That man vowed to be with a woman who drove (and still does) him crazy with her ever changing moods and spontaneity.

A perfect match, huh?

Not sure if it is perfect but I am sure it is good enough for us.

Good enough that we choose each other again, after seven years of togetherness.

Good enough that we decide to wake up next to each other, even after a night long hassle over a hypothetical question.

Good enough that we end the day with a good-night kiss, even though he repeatedly leaves his wet towels on the bed and slippers under the couch and I demand a new thing with a new day and believe more in dreams than in actions.

Good enough that we are each other's best confidante and moral support.

It is almost perfect that we take our union as a commitment and work hard towards it.

I believe marriage is what we make of it.

I am lucky and happy and thankful that we have made our marriage our biggest comfort zone.

We derive solace, calmness and peace from our marriage that keeps us shielded from the heat of the outside world.

It has become our little fantasy world where we dream, laugh, fight, scream and yet love each other.

As we complete seven years, we gear ourselves up for a phase called 'Seven Year Itch.'

I look forward to exploring it in all its notoriety while he silently smiles as I read this message out to him and says, 'there is nothing called seven year itch'.

Aha! This contrast is the most beautiful thing.

↧

10 Best Road Trip for Bikers in India

June 17, 2016, 12:44 am

≫ Next: I Let My Child Paint And Turned Her Clothes Into Designer Pieces

≪ Previous: Seven Years Of Togetherness

Just wake up early one morning, take out your motorcycle and head out; let wide roads take you to your destination. A road trip is a best-experienced impromptu. You can understand the popularity of road trips in India by the fact that the Guinness Book of World Record for the longest motorcycle journey in a single country belongs to an Indian— Mr. Manigandan Manjunathan. With the road under your tyre, and the sun and moon as your travel buddies, a bike journey gives a complete freedom which only a biker can feel. Even road trips have grabbed the attention of Bollywood filmmakers. Many Hindi films, like Dil Chahta Hain, Bombay to Goa, Highway, etc.; are all about spontaneous jaunts.

So when the summer season is here, and the monsoon is about to reach, it would be a crime to waste the time cooped up at home. All you bikers out there— listen up! India is home to some of the magnificent trails and ranges for your next adventure trip. Once you exit the annoying city traffic, you’ll be thrilled to visit amazing seaside scenery, beautiful mountain ranges and a lot of greenery. You might be thinking that it is difficult to have a pleasant bike ride in this crazy summer heat. Well, then think my friend again! There are some of the fabulous biking trails in India, which will make you forget about the scorching heat while you cruise through amazing roads. Even if you sweat it out, it will worth it!

Also, you can plan your road trips during the rainy season, which is only a few days away. While enjoying the rain from indoors, we tweet about everything from #rainlove to #greatmonsoonmood. However, this time, don’t spend your Monsoon in creating only hashtags and let’s go on a road trip. During monsoon, droplets of water envelop the roads and kiss the sea beds, making the journey more beautiful.

There are some of the fabulous bike routes in India, which will make these seasons more beautiful.

Of course, describing here only ten motorcycle destinations will be an injustice to all the other great destinations. However, you can at least draw inspiration from them to start your journey.

Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

Blessed with vivacious beauty, Ladakh is a challenging place which all crazy bike riders would love to explore. The rugged trail, rough weather conditions and above all, the constant risk of landslides and other hazards keep riders on their toes. The best part of the place is that there are so many beautiful lakes, monasteries and mountain passes. However, the sad part is that you will find it tough to decide which place to visit and which not. However, nevertheless, you can never make a wrong choice as each place is beautiful.

Distance from Manali to Ladakh: 554 km

Estimated Time: 10 hours approximately (via Leh-Manali Highway)

Travel route: Manali->Keylong->Leh

Places to visit: Pangog Lake, Nubra Valley, Khardungla Pass, Lamayuru

Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

The Spiti route in Himachal Pradesh, not far from Ladakh, doesn’t get as much traffic as its neighbour, but the place is not behind in terms of scenic beauty. So if you could not plan a trip to Ladakh, you can conveniently settle in Spiti Valley as it also offers the same adrenaline rush. In fact; it is on this journey that you can see some high altitude villages of Asia. While Kaza, Kibber, and Pin Valley National Park are some attractive remote places, Baspa, and Kinnaur regions are the haven for nature lovers.

Distance from Manali to Spiti: 196.4 km

Estimated Time: 3 hours 50 minutes (via Leh Manali highway and NH 505)

Travel route: Manali - Kullu valley - Pin Valley - Kinnaur Valley - lahoul Valley - Spiti Valley - Manali

Places to visit: Bhimakali Temple, Nako , CB-13, 14 peaks and glaciers

Manali to Leh Highway

Did you remember the dance of Kareena Kapoor Khan to the song “Ye Ishq Hai Jannat Dikhaye” in Jab We Met film? It is hard to express the beauty of a road trip from Manali to Leh in words. Wouldn’t it be a pleasure to cruise along that road which does complete justice to bikers in India?

Distance from Manali to Leh Highway: 478 km

Estimated Time: 8 hours 42 minutes

Travel route: Manali –> Rohtang–> Gramphu –> Kokhsar–> Keylong–> Jispa–> Darcha–> Zingzingbar–> Baralacha La–> Bharatpur –> Sarchu –> Gata Loops –> Nakee La–> Lachulung La –> Pang –> Tanglang La–> Gya–> Upshi–> Karu –>Leh

Places to visit: Beas Kund, Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Zingzing Bar, Baralacha La, Sarchu, Gata Loops, Lachulung La, Pang, Tanglang La, Upshi,

Mumbai to Lonavala

A road trip from Mumbai to Lonavala is something which every resident will swear by. The stunning beauty and lush green foliage do wonders to calm the jittery nerves of bikers. While travelling, don’t forget to savor ‘chikki’ in Lonavala. If you are in Mumbai and looking for a memorable journey, this is the best trip to look further.

Distance from Mumbai: 82.7 kms

Estimated Time: 1 hour 46 minutes (via Mumbai Highway)

Travel route: Mumbai Highway-> NH4-> Khandala-> Lonavala

Places to visit: Korigad Fort, Tiger’s Leap, Lohgad, Karla and Bhaja caves, Lonavala wax museum, and Duke’s nose

Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley

The marriage of the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats in Visakhapatnam is a sight to behold. During a road trip to Araku, you will completely mystify by the beauty of the place. The curly roads and the serenity of the hills will etch a permanent place in your heart.

Distance from Vishakhapatnam: 114 kms

Estimated Time: 2 hours 46 minutes

Travel route: GNT route, NH 5 Bypass, Visakhapatnam Rd, Araku Rd, Paderu

Places to visit: Araku Tribal Museum, Borra Caves

Western Arunachal Pradesh

With its humbling landscape, Arunachal Pradesh is a fantastic place for bikers. Though the chances are high that you will find unpaved landscapes and roads all through the journey, the picturesque beauty of the place compensates for everything. Mountain streams, waterfalls, and forests, make this place irresistible for an adventurous rider like you.

Distance from Guwahati to Arunachal Pradesh: 630 kms

Estimated Time: 12 hours 23 minutes

Travel Route: NH 36-> NH 52->NH 229->Medog

Places to visit: Tawang, Roing, Itanagar, Bomdila

Mumbai to Goa

Now this can be one of the main reasons behind the popularity of road trips in India. If you want to chase the clouds and leave behind the city’s traffic, this is a journey for you. Drive towards the sun and the beach on a beautiful road that will gear you up for the maximum fun. Double check your brakes since you’ll be travelling through beaches and greenery.

Distance from Mumbai to Goa: 590 kms

Estimated Time: 10 hours 30 minutes (via NH4)

Travel Route: Mumbai to Pune by the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Pune->Satara-> Kolhapur-> Belgaum (NH4)-> Goa

Places to visit during the journey: Satara-> Kolhapur->Sankeshwar-> Rankala Lake->Panhala Fort-> Jyotiba Temple->Karnala Bird sanctuary

Rann of Kutch

A bike ride across a desert might not thrill you, but if I tell you that you do not need to apply brakes here, I am sure you will listen to me. The vast desert of Kutch offers a wide expanse of land without any obstructions. Besides, the free riding zone, you will love to ride while following stars.

Distance from Surendranagar to Rann of Kutch: 80 Kilometers

Estimated Time from Surendranagar to Rann of Kutch: 1 hour 9 minutes

Travel Route: Surendrangar –> Dhrangadhra –> Little Rann of Kutch –> Great Rann of Kutch

Places to visit during the journey: Walk on the beach in Mandvi, Dholavira, Kala Dungar, Koteshwar, Nirona, Nakhtarana

Delhi-Mandawa (Rajasthan)

How about the idea of satisfying the fantasies of both the tourist and biker in you? Going all the way from Delhi towards the Taj Mahal, you can have a stopover at the Fatehpur Sikri and also soak into a cultural mood at Pushkar. Once you reach Mandawa, enjoy a few of the sights in the city before you head back.

Distance from New Delhi to Mandawa: 254.1 km

Estimated Time from New Delhi to Mandawa: 5 hours 22 minutes

Travel Route: Delhi->Mathura->Agra->Pushkar

Places to visit during the journey: Amber Fort, Bikaner, Jain Temple, Leela Palace Hotel

Kolli Hills

One motorcycle, one destination and 70 hairpin bends! Yes, there are 70 hairpin bends which you need to negotiate through to reach Kolli Hills, which is also known as “Mountains of Death.” For an adventurous biker, this information is sufficient to convince him to visit this little unknown hill station, which is situated 1300 meters above the sea level in the central Tamil Nadu. This place is famous for its Agaya Gangai waterfall and pineapple farms.

Distance from Vijayanagar to Kolli Hills: 971.3 km via NH7

Estimated Time from Vijaynagar to Kolli Hills: 14 hours to 29 minutes (via NH 7)

Travel Route: Vijaynagar -> Hosuru -> Krishnagiri -> Salem -> Rasipuram -> Karavalli -> Semmudu -> Kolli Hills Forest

Places to visit during the journey: Agaya Gangai Waterfall, Arappaleeswar Temple, Botanical Garden, Boat House, View Points

Handy tips for the safe motorcycle journey

Though road trips are adventurous, there are some safety measures which should be considered to have a complete fun.

(Source: here)

Choose a comfortable bike: Whatever kind of motorcycle you choose; it is important to be comfortable with it. Remember, it is not just the look of the bike that makes it cool but also its efficiency.

Dress right: For a long distance journey, always wear riding pants, ankle boots, safety shoes, and jacket. Baggy or loose clothes will only cause discomfort. Though, when you completely geared up, you might feel awkward at first, but once you get on the motorcycle, knowing that you are riding safely will only make you more confident.

Pack light, pack right: There are various types of bags, such as tank bags, and saddle bags, which are apt for road trips. While packing, make sure to carry as many disposable items as you can, so that you can discard them if required. For instance, instead of a shampoo bottle, you should carry sachets. Also, carry only limited clothes which can easily be washed and reused.

Stay hydrated: Keep yourself hydrated throughout the journey to avoid dehydration. Invest in a good hydration pack which is mainly a water bottle in a bag with a tube and which you can easily sling over your shoulder and drink water without taking out your helmet.

Carry some essential tools and spares: It is always good to have your tool kit to deal with any emergency, like mechanical breakdown, etc. A general tool list might include items like spark plugs, engine oil, etc.

Buy two-wheeler insurance: Let go of all your worries related to theft and accident and enjoy an uninterrupted hassle-free journey with a two-wheeler insurance policy. Besides insuring your vehicle against accidents, the policy offers complete protection against natural disasters like lightning, fire, storm, typhoon, etc. Moreover, the insurance policy provides personal accident coverage of up to Rs 1 lakh to protect the rider in case of an accident while driving.

At last, the journey is more important than the destination itself

Who says, you need to have a stylish motorcycle or a bike to enjoy a road trip? Services like Wicked Ride allow you to rent premium bikes. It means, you can rent a super trendy motorcycle or may be Harley Davidson and go on a tour.

Bike tours transform the way you see your journey. Rather than rushing through, such trips give you abundant time to stop and enjoy small details, like the way the road bends or the fragrance of flowers. The road beckons, so pack your bag and let’s go on a long bike trip!

As said by Eric Bana, an American actor, and comedian, “I look my best when I take my helmet off after a long motorcycle ride. I have a glow and a bit of helmet hair.”

↧

I Let My Child Paint And Turned Her Clothes Into Designer Pieces

June 19, 2016, 9:13 pm

≫ Next: Why is Child Insurance the Best Way to Secure Your Child’s Future Without Crippling Your finances?

≪ Previous: 10 Best Road Trip for Bikers in India

'A child's art is the best masterpiece' or so I believe.

In the month of March, Pahal often complained of not getting a brilliant idea to do something creative. She didn't fully know the meanings of these words - brilliant and creative - but she used both while presenting her complaint.

One day I got a brilliant idea to tackle her creativity! :-)

I had bought a plain white t-shirt for Pahal so that she could paint on it - anything that she wishes - and turn it into a unique piece.

I handed over the plain, white t-shirt to Pahal and asked her to paint on it. Initially, a little hesitant she quickly decided that she would paint a flower on it. This is what the t-shirt became of after Pahal swirled few brushes on it.

Since it was the first of our such experiment, we didn't know the 'rules' and as a result, the paint ran onto the back side of the t-shirt as well.

This is how the masterpiece looks from the sides.

With first project over within few hours, I was now ready to move onto another experiment - painting on a pyjama!

This time I took care of few things:

1. I inserted a roll of newspapers inside the leg of the pyjama that had to be painted. This didn't let the colors transfer to the back side of the cloth.

2. I hung it on the cloth hanger for hours in the sun. Right after the painting, I dried the pyjama in the sun so that the colors are dried naturally and do not spread out.

3. I helped her by drawing an outline of the art so that it is easy for her to paint and the painting looks a bit like professional. :-)

And that's my girl flaunting her work in all its glory.

The blue flower on the wall is hand painted by my friend, Gunjan Gupta. You guys can check out her page here.

This was it guys. If you have tried something quirky with your kids, share with me! :-)

↧

Why is Child Insurance the Best Way to Secure Your Child’s Future Without Crippling Your finances?

July 4, 2016, 11:19 pm

≫ Next: My Kid Does Nothing During Vacations And That Is What I Want

≪ Previous: I Let My Child Paint And Turned Her Clothes Into Designer Pieces

Every parent dreams of giving their child the best education, but all parents are aware of the increasing cost of education. An online survey by ET Wealth has found that 60% know about the rising cost, and it worries them.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

As parents, it is but natural that you dream big for your children. As the standard of living rises, it has a direct impact on where you want your child to get educated. You might be planning to send your kid to the United States! However, to realize your dream, it is essential to take the right financial steps to achieve this. A good child insurance policy lets you build a lump sum amount for your child’s future so that in case you are not there tomorrow, his future should not be affected due to this. Here is a look at how to arrive at the best plan to secure your children’s future:

Secure your child’s dream even in your absence: Unlike other investment options, like mutual funds, PPF, where a parent has to be present there to invest for the child, a child insurance plan is the only policy which is not dependent on the parent being there. The plan secures your child’s future even if you are not around. Upon the death of the parent, the insurer pays a death benefit to the child and waives all future premiums. Similarly, at the time of maturity of the policy, the child will get the maturity benefit.

Right investment mix to give high returns over the long term: Child insurance investments are long-term investment options because they can invest in equity which gives the best returns over the long term. If you start investing early in a child plan, the investment corpus generated at the time of maturity will be sufficient to meet the high college fees of your child.

Option of switching the funds: A child ULIP plan allows you to switch between equity and debt without breaking your investment. Equity helps you to earn high returns as compared to debts and thus, when you are away from the maturity, you can switch from debt to equity to leverage more returns. However, as you grow close to the maturity, switch your funds from equity to debt to get safe returns. Also, if a particular fund in your portfolio is not working properly, transfer a portion of units partially or completely to a different fund option to generate better returns. You can again switch to equity once the market has improved.

Partially withdraw your money when you need it: You can withdraw 20% of your fund value while your main investment is still intact. This means that you can fund any immediate needs your child may have like dancing, acting, music lessons or medical emergencies for your child without disturbing the end goal.

Tax benefits: The premium paid on child insurance plans are eligible to get tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Similarly, the maturity amount is tax-free under Section 10(10D).

Promotes financial discipline: Most of the people lack discipline in making investments and get easily flustered by the market’s volatility. So it is likely for Indian parents to stop investing regularly for their children. Child insurance is the best bet to avoid such a scenario. All you have to do is pay a premium every month or year after year. Decide a sum assured and give an electric clearance service (ECS) mandate for the automatic premium deduction. It means you don’t have to constantly remind yourself about paying the premium.

Enjoy loyalty benefits and wealth boosters: ULIP child insurance plans reward their policyholders for staying invested for a long term. Extra units are added to his investment at no extra cost. His fund value is boosted without any additional investment from his side. For instance; ICICI Pru Smart Life offers loyalty additions in the form of extra units at the end of every policy year after sixth policy tenure. Similarly, wealth boosters grow your money without making any additional investments.

The Sooner, the Better!

All child plans are structured to meet the needs of your child. However, as a parent, it’s your responsibility to find the best child future investment plan possible, so that financial stability is unshaken when the time for college finally arrives. With the technology advancement, you can buy a child insurance plan online also from the comfort of your home. Research, read, and understand different insurance plans. Be sure to choose one that suits your situation. You’re not only fulfilling your child’s ambitions with policy but also contributing towards society through your child’s development.

↧

My Kid Does Nothing During Vacations And That Is What I Want

July 13, 2016, 10:35 pm

≫ Next: What 7 Years In An Arranged Marriage Taught Me About True Love

≪ Previous: Why is Child Insurance the Best Way to Secure Your Child’s Future Without Crippling Your finances?

*** Got a little late in posting this up. Had written it a month back but then I fell ill and didn't have the energy to even get up and open the laptop. Had posted an article last to last week but I took Sanjay's help in have it running here. I am feeling slightly better and hope to get back to blogging in few days. So yeah! while the post is a little late but I am sure its message is still fresh even though the vacations are mostly over. ***

This year the summers have been extremely cruel in Northern India. With temperature soaring above 45 degrees, we have no choice but to stay indoors. It has been especially difficult for school children, who have been granted a two-month vacation through the end of June.

During the first week of the vacation, the days did not feel this long, but as the heat wave continued and kids began to get ‘bored’, mothers in my neighborhood started hunting for viable, nearby summer camps.

A dear friend informed me about the kind-of-summer-camp right next to our building. She said excitedly, ‘I saw the place. It is quite comfortable for kids. They teach dancing and other activities from morning 10 am to 12 pm. My daughter is going there from today.’

Later Ilearnt few more kids from my neighborhood had joined the camp.

It definitely sounded exciting. Two hours of solace for me in the morning! Two hours of time in the middle of the biggest rush during the day!

But there was a problem. My kid gets up anytime between 10 am to11 am.

Ever since her school holidays started, she sleeps by 12 in the night and gets up at a leisurely pace the next morning. This works perfectly fine with me for two reasons:

It is heart warming to see her sleep at a long stretch - a luxury not available to her when she goes to school. During school days she gets up by 6 and leaves home by 7am!

Since it is very hot here, by the time she gets up, bathes, eats breakfast and finishes her morning chore, it is 1pm and almost half of the hot, muggy day is gone. Now she gets ready to play in the evenings.

While I am obviously happy with the late-to-bed-and-late-to-rise routine she has slipped into over the last month, I am bombarded with the question too often ‘what does she do the whole day?’

I took time to understand it. I feel kids don’t have to ‘do’anything, they are kids. She is just 6 years old!

But now I understand their concern is about ‘how she spends time without getting bored’.

I answer ‘nothing’. My kid does nothing in her summer vacations and I am absolutely fine with that. In fact, this is what I have wanted for her during her holidays.

(Instead of spending time at the monastery in Gangtok, we spent hours in playing with these pigeons)

I wonder if kids have to do something.

Does this ‘doing’add any value to their tender minds?

Why have we become obnoxious about the word ‘nothing’?

Since when has ‘something better than nothing’become a gospel in parenting?

I have nothing against the parents who enroll their kids in classes. It works for them and I am happy for them. But, I would prefer to give a break to my kid from the world of classes!

I am perfectly fine with the fact that my kid spends 11 hours in bed. After a month, the poor girl has to go back to her daily grind of getting up early. I am absolutelyokay that she is living an unscheduled life right now - for a month!

I think parents have forgotten the pleasure in doing nothing. Or have we? Because when it comes to ‘me’time, what are we secretly wishing for? A few hours of doing nothing.

In times of helicopter parenting, not only do we hover over our kids, even during their holidays, we always try to bind their innocuous lives in a schedule. In short, we kill the thrill of living the day as it comes and make their lives mundane and monotonous with always the same, getting up early, going to the camp, doing a few activities, and planning for the next day.

Shouldn’t we let the kids decide what they want to do in their long days?

Shouldn’t we let them explore the value of ‘nothing-ness’?

For her ‘nothing’ is an entity that she is busy exploring in her vacations.

Being a princess

My kid loves to drape a net fabric around her waist, wear her new sparkly sandals, throw on few colorful paper balls and then trod around the litter like she is a queen making her way across a flower spread carpet.

If she is not doing this, she is busy role playing with her girl-friends, either in her room or in their rooms. Sometimes she is simply spending time by herself when she will walk up to me every fifteen minutes with a question weirder than the previous one.

‘Mumma, you said that our milk curdled last time. But curdling is curd only. So why were you upset? You should be happy that God made the curd for us.’

‘That day you told my friend that she looked pretty and she was wearing that particular frock but when I demand to wear a similar frock, you deny. Why?’

It is only due to this nothing-ness that she often goes back to time and picks up pieces that baffled her then. It amazes me how easily she brings up an incident that occurred a fortnight ago and this shows that while she has moved on practically, her mind hasn’t untangled the incident yet and hence she needs an explanation.

I am thankful for this zero exploration that helps my tiny tot to unravel what goes on in her vulnerable mind. I am happy that during this nothing-ness, she explores her own thoughts and emotions.

Having my kid at home for the whole day drives me crazy sometimes, I agree, but it gives me the pleasure of watching her grow at her own pace, with a mind of her own.

Doing nothing is not wasting time. It is letting the time settle down on its own.

When we were young, we didn’t have the concept of summer camps. We lived a life much similar to what my daughter is living right now.

A life of spontaneity. A life of being free. A life of being master of her own day.

And this is what I want for her not just this holiday but all the holidays to come.

↧

What 7 Years In An Arranged Marriage Taught Me About True Love

August 11, 2016, 12:52 am

≫ Next: One Thing Missing In The Financial Plan For Your Child

≪ Previous: My Kid Does Nothing During Vacations And That Is What I Want

Marriage does not thrive solely on emotional love.

The day is still fresh in my memory ...

I was draped in a bright red crepe saree with golden embroidery. My make-up wasn't perfect. But I looked good. I was happy, and that made me look beautiful.

It was my wedding day. But, my wedding day was probably much different than what you'd typically expect.

You see, I said "yes" to him without ever seeing his face. (This is how besotted I was with him — his simplicity, honesty and integrity.)

Celebrating 7 years of togetherness

Ours was an arranged marriage where my parents introduced me to him and exchanged our numbers. We talked on the phone for a few days. And, what started off as dislike and attitude soon melted away into love.

During our two month courtship period, we vowed to be with each other. When it came time to complete the formalities of a legal marriage, we decided to have a simple, traditional wedding.

I know many people think an arranged marriage can never work and we can never be truly happy. Well, yesterday, we completed seven years of marriage. And I am incredibly happy.

In the Bible, the number seven denotes completeness. My arranged union with my husband for seven years has taught me several wise lessons on life, love and everything in between.

These are the crucial (and heart-warming) lessons every married couple should remember if they want a relationship that lasts:

1. Marriage is a decision.

Movies and romantic novels make us believe that marriage is an emotional state, like love. From a young age, we tend to romanticize the idea of marriage, and believe that marriage and love are complimentary; they can't exist without each other.

While it's great if your marriage is ripe with loving emotions, successful marriages do not thrive solely on emotional love. A happy marriage requires hard work. It needs attention and constant grooming. It requires much more than just romance, dinner dates and breakfast in bed. It is a conscious decision right from the moment you say, "I do."

It is the commitment within the words "I do" (that mean: "I choose you to be my life partner") that is the heart and foundation of a solid marriage. A happy marriage is the end result of consistently making good on that commitment every day.

Read full post here.

↧

One Thing Missing In The Financial Plan For Your Child

August 20, 2016, 8:55 pm

≫ Next: This Is How I Cured My Acne of 20 Years Without Medication

≪ Previous: What 7 Years In An Arranged Marriage Taught Me About True Love

Becoming a parent is one of the most joyous occasions of a person’s life; especially as it is filled with the excitement of a newborn becoming a part of your world. Soon your child becomes the center of your world; not only changing your priorities but also your entire lifestyle and expenses. But once the excitement starts to sink in; as a parent we quickly realize the many responsibilities associated with becoming a parent and most importantly the financial planning required for raising a child.

At this stage you may have already done are or probably thinking of -

· Setting aside some money in an FD

· Opening a PPF account in the name of your child

· Mutual funds (if you have really thought through your investments)

If this is your train of thought then it is an excellent step in the right direction; especially as investing earlier on; gives you much more time and can make it much easier to secure your child’s future needs. However there is one critical factor which as a parent we very often wrongly assume; -- which is that we will always be around to invest for our children. Unfortunately life is uncertain and to properly secure your child you would need to factor this point in; while making the financial plan.

The right questions to ask yourself while making the financial plan of your child could be- What might happen in the case of an unfortunate event?

· Will your child’s future to be financially secure if you are not around?

· Will the current investment really be sufficient to help your childlive comfortably?

Sadly the answer very often is NO. While just the thought is terrifying; it is important to assess all possible risks today and make the right investments; so that your child is reasonably protected against most future risks.

So what is a solution to this? – Quite possibly a child insurance plan.

Here is why we feel that a child plan is something that necessarily needs to be added; to help cover the child in both case scenarios - whether the parent is there or not.

Scenario 1 - When the parent is around

There are various other expenses such as - buying a house, retirement, medical emergencies, and so on. So while you savings may seem huge; if you allocate them separately for all your needs; your savings may become in-sufficient to cater to all your expenses. Hence a child plan will-

· Force you to separate the savings- A child plan requires you to pay regular premium and also necessitates a lock in period (such as 5 years). During this time the child or the parent cannot withdraw the money and the parent needs to continue paying regular premium for these years. This forces you to separate savings for your child from other expenses; organize your other expenses and create a disciplined saving habit; which you will be thankful for once your child grows up.

· Help secure future educational needs - The cost of education is of prime concern as it has been increasing at rate faster than inflation. Child plan offers cash value at maturity; and will invest your money in the way you want; to help it grow. Hence by the time your children are ready to go to college; with a child plan added in their portfolio; you will have enough to fund their future; and assist them financially to be able to follow their dreams.

Scenario 2 - A child plan when the parent is not around

Statistics state that incidents of death by road accidents in India have been increasing over the past few years. Life uncertainty is not something you can control but the only way you can protect your child is by financially providing for him; even when you are not around. A child plans will ensure this to a certain degree by providing -

· Funds at pre-fixed intervals- Any other insurance will only offer a lump sum on untimely death. A child insurance plan is best suited as not only will it offer guaranteed lump-sum assured in case of unfortunate event, but the policy does not end here. After this the insurance company will provide your child funds at specified intervals as planned under the policy.

· Premiums waived off - While other life insurance policies will end in case of unfortunate event; on the other hand a child insurance policy continues. The premiums are waived off and the insurance company will continue investing this money on behalf of the policyholder; hence the child still gets all the benefits specified in the policy.

In conclusion a child plan protects your child both ways even if you are or are not around; provides security against risks, inflation and also helps fund your child’s future; making it a crucial element in financial planning for your child. Like the ICICI Pru SmartKid plan; which can be easily be bought online for as low as Rs 4000 monthly premium (taken for 25 years) will continue; even after the death of life assured; provided all the dues have been paid earlier.

↧

This Is How I Cured My Acne of 20 Years Without Medication

August 28, 2016, 8:58 pm

≫ Next: Complete Guide To Natural Skin And Hair Care

≪ Previous: One Thing Missing In The Financial Plan For Your Child

"What happened? Your face is completely spoiled."

"Don't eat so much chocolate."

"Oh god! What happened to your face?"

"Your face is full of pimples."

These are just some of the comments I used to hear on a regular basis because of my acne. Some of these came from people who were close to me - people who should have been more concerned about how their remarks would affect me.

The chocolate comment was from a stranger though who thought that everyone who has acne probably sits around all day eating chocolate while the truth in my case was that for some strange reason I hate chocolates and always have.

Imagine being 20 and people saying something like this to you. As a woman, this can completely shatter your self esteem and that is exactly what it did to me.

20s is an age when you want to look your best but here I was - fighting a problem that everyone said would clear up as I enter my twenties. Unfortunately, not only did not my acne go away during my twenties, it got worse as I was about to enter my 30's.

I got married in late twenties and 6 months into my marriage, I was struck with an extremely severe case of acne. There was not one patch of clear skin on my face. I took to staying at home with the windows closed, so that no one could see me. What should have been the happiest time in my life - being a newly wed - turned out to be one of the darkest times of my life.

My husband was very sweet and tried to cheer me up and he often told me that I was beautiful but I still continued to sulk. I was scared to even go out with him as people might stare at me and wonder what someone like him was doing with me. All I used to think was how ugly and disgusting I looked to other people.

Dermatologists were of no help at all. Every one of them would give me exactly the same treatment - antibiotics and topical ointments - in spite of me telling them that it was not working. Not one of them ever changed the treatment or made any improvements to my skin. The antibiotics made me physically sick and the ointments left my skin dry, red and itchy.

My acne continued in my 30's and more so after I had my son. One day, frustrated after visiting yet another dermatologist, I decided that enough was enough and that I was going to cure my acne on my own.

Cure For Acne

I had no idea what was causing it so I decided to look into my diet and lifestyle to see what I could change. After much research, after hours and days on the Internet, I knew that it was probably something in my diet that was making me break out. I had read an article about the link between sugar and acne. So I decided to take the first step and stopped eating all sweets and desserts. Quitting sugar was the toughest thing to do as I had a strong sweet tooth. I loved sweets but I made myself realize that I loved a clear skin even more.

I stopped eating all forms of artificial sugar. Within 2 weeks my skin cleared up. After 20 years of fighting with acne, I had found its solution. I was thrilled and angry at the same time. Thrilled because I finally knew what was causing my acne and angry because not a single doctor had ever suggested this to me. After spending years and humongous money on dermatologists, I found the cure on my own but I had scars on my face which I would probably have for life.

I continued changing my diet to include more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and the improvements I saw in my skin were amazing. The redness disappeared, my skin was smooth and overall I felt healthier. Later on I also stopped using soap on my face and started using oil to clean my face. The itchiness and the tightness that I used to feel is now a thing of the past.

My biggest learning from fighting a stubborn acne is that diet has a great impact on your health and your overall well being. Eat junk on a regular basis and it will show up in the way you look and feel. Of course there are times when we are out and we do want to eat that pizza or a burger or chips. But include these in your diet on a regular basis and you will be setting yourself up for problems in the future.

I also learnt that people think acne is somehow your fault. Anybody with acne will agree with me that the worst possible comments we get seem to suggest that acne is our fault.

If you suffer from acne, remember it is not because of something you are doing. Some people are naturally acne prone and they will break out when exposed to their own specific triggers. Put 2 people in the exact same environment, same diet and same lifestyle but only the person prone to acne will break out. I have personally seen people who eat junk food all the time and still have perfectly clear skin. Of course they are not healthy, but their diet does not trigger acne.

As I spent years fighting acne and building up my self esteem at the same time, I wanted to share my knowledge and help other women who suffer from the same problem. I now share what I have learned on my site www.yourbeautychronicles.com along with and tips to keep your skin clear.

If you suffer from acne, do visit my blog and sign up to receive a free copy of my ebook. If you know someone who does suffer from acne, feel free to share this article with them.

Note: This post is written by Anjali Lobo of Yourbeautychronicles.com/

↧

Complete Guide To Natural Skin And Hair Care

September 6, 2016, 9:04 pm

≫ Next: Accommodation Required

≪ Previous: This Is How I Cured My Acne of 20 Years Without Medication

There is no alternative to natural beauty and to holistic well being.

I rely heavily on naturopathic solutions to most of my beauty and health related problems. Be it cleansing of skin or cough or mild fever or dull skin. I prefer scouting for potent ingredients in my own kitchen than to spend thousands on brands that claim to use the same natural ingredients along with preservatives.

My interest in naturopathy deepened when I moved to Andamans and faced the scarcity of most of the things I was used to using here in mainland. That is when I decided to try my hands at home remedies and this led to extensive reading online and experimenting offline.

In this guide, I am going to share the tricks, recipes and practices that have helped me immensely in making lesser visits to the doctors and in greatly reducing cosmetics bills. Almost all of my skin care products are home made and straight out of the kitchen with natural ingredients and I can vouch for their effectiveness, ease of use and affordability.

Natural Beauty Care

Everyday Skin Cleansing

Honestly, over the last few years I have made a complete switch from market bought face cleansers to home made cleansers. Earlier I had tried different cleansers from many brands but I use only the ones that come from my home. Here are my options:

1. Raw Milk As Face (and make-up) Cleanser

My personal favorite face (and make-up) cleanser is raw milk.I swear by it and I have been religiously using it for more than 10 years.

You can use any raw milk i.e. packaged milk, carton milk or the milk that your milk man brings. Pour the milk in a pan. Let it settle for 2 minutes. Scrape out the top layer of the milk with a spoon. Apply it on your face and neck. Wipe off with cotton.

It is just like milk-cream but less greasy and lighter that milk.

If your skin tends to break out, you can use normal, toned milk i.e. after its cream has been extracted.

If your skin is extra dry, you can use milk cream i.e. malai as well.

2. Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)

I use the raw milk in the morning as that is when I get fresh milk at home. But when I need to cleanse my face in the night before going to bed or at a time and place when raw milk is not available, I go with OCM.

I prefer to use one part of castor oil and two parts of coconut or apricot oil.Simply mix the oils, massage on face. Leave on for a minute or two. Wipe off with a normally wet towel.

Some people recommend steaming the face or using a hot towel. I have tried both and I have realized that I get the best results when I use a face towel that is wet under normal water. Sometimes, right after wiping off with face towel, I splash warm water on face and pat dry.

You can read more on OCM in detail - Nitty Gritty of OCM

3. Krya's Natural Face Cleansing Powder

Another product that I love though it is not home made. But I have been using it for over two years now and I simply adore it.

I found Krya after doing some online research and I got in touch with Preethi who is the founder of Krya. She often writes on her FB page and gives honest and detailed information about her products and also enlightens the readers with her Ayurvedic knowledge. This is how I learnt about Krya and decided to try it and I was highly pleased.

It is a green powder made from organic soap berries and without any chemicals or preservatives.

Unlike other face washes, it does not lather and does not dry your skin. It instead cleanses it so gently that you notice a difference in skin right after one wash.

I love this powder and I use it everyday. It is also the cleanser I use while traveling.

I use raw milk and OCM every alternate day but this powder is my daily ritual. It also works like a gentle scrub on the face. A must try. You can buy it here.

Skin Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an essential part of skin care. Numerous recipes are available for different types of face and body scrubs but my favorites are these three:

1. Sugar Face Scrub

Brown sugar works best for face scrubs.

Take few table spoons of brown sugar. Mix a table spoon of olive oil. Add few drops of essential oil and an effective face scrub is ready.

2. Baking Soda Scrub

Another personal favorite.

It can be used in multiple ways. When being lazy, I simply mix it up with water or rosewater and exfoliate. Otherwise, I like to add honey to it.

My preferred way is to add honey to baking soda and then apply it on face. Leave it on for few minutes and wash away. My skin shines after using this combination.

3. SeaSalt Body Scrub

Make your own sea salt by boiling a pan full of sea water. It was much easier for me when I lived in Andamans as I would have the water collected from the interiors of sea.

Once you have sea salt ready, just mix any essential oil to it and few tea spoons of coconut or any other body oil like olive oil, apricot oil or sandalwood oil.

Mix the oils and sea salt in a consistency that suits you. I prefer a little runny consistency. You can go through my detailed recipe - DIY Sea Salt Body Scrub

4. Pumice Stone

Nothing works better than a good pumice stone for body exfoliation.

I still rely on old age type pumice stone. It can be harsh if used roughly but otherwise it removes dead cells effectively and also cleans the skin from dirt and grime.

You can try these recipes of scrubs too - 13 simple home made exfoliators

Skin Toning

Can there be a better skin toner than rose water? And any better than a home made, pure rose water?

I absolutely like the way rose water adds a shine and tautness to my face when I need skin toning.

This is the rose water I made at home

Last week itself I made a batch of rose water at home and I have been regularly using it in the mid of the day. Making rose water is very simple and easy.

Pluck the petals of rose flower. Wash them with clean water. Add distilled water to a pan. Add the petals to it. Heat the mixture on low flame or better still, steam it. Turn off the flame when you notice the petals losing their pink color and turning into white. Let the mixture steep for some time. Let it cool and then strain and store.

You will be surprised to see how pure home made rose water is different from market made rose water.

Here are 5 home made facial toners.

Face Mask

1. Besan Face Mask

My all time favorite face mask for dry skin is this:

Besan (check pea flour) + curd or milk cream + a pinch of turmeric powder

You can make your own variations by adding honey, lemon drops, rose water, banana, egg white or even coffee.

The above combination has been used in Indian traditions since ages. This is the mix that is applied to the bride and groom during their wedding preparations and is called haldi ceremony.

2. Banana Honey FaceMask

The first one is my go-to mask but sometimes I also apply a mix of banana and honey. Depending on the weather I also add lemon drops or curd to it. While the previous mask adds a glow, this one makes skin soft and supple.

3. Fruit Face Mask

Rub any fruit on your face. Let it stay. Wash off.

Fruits like mango, orange, strawberry, papaya and avocado work like wonders. You can add curd or honey to the pulp of these fruits and let it sit on the face for few minutes before washing it off.

For other face mask recipes, go to this link - 7 DIY Face Masks

Moisturizers

1. Glycerin

By far, the best moisturizing agent out there is glycerin.

This is my favorite body lotion that contains only 3 ingredients: glycerin, rose water, lemon juice

The best thing is that one can play around with its variations and come up with something that suits her skin.

I use glycerin in two ways:

Glycerin + Rose Water + Lemon Juice + Vit. E oil

I keep the consistency as per my convenience. In winters I add more of glycerin while in summers, I up the amount of rose water. I also squeeze a capsule or two of vit. E to the mix as not only vit. E is excellent moisturizer, it is also an effective preservative.

This is my staple moisturizing lotion. I also use it as lip balm and this is my FAVORITE LIP PRODUCT. As body lotion. As face lotion and also on elbows and knees to smooth out the skin.

Glycerin + Olive Oil + Lemon Juice + Vit. E Oil

I prefer to add lemon juice to almost every glycerin recipe because lemon juice helps in reducing its stickiness and of course because lemon juice, rich in vit. C, acts as a natural preservative. But since we are adding Vit. E oil, you can skip lemon juice if you wish.

Last winters, I extensively used this mix on my face and for the first time, my face didn't show signs of dryness. Otherwise, my skin gets extremely dry and parched during winters especially the skin on my cheeks.

2. Shea Butter Body Cream

This cream was a super hit. Why shouldn't it be? It worked for more than 24 hours on my skin! It is no less than a miracle for me especially when my skin behaves erratically bad in winters.

You can read the recipe here.

DIY recipe for a body cream that works for more than 24 hours

While these cosmetic products help in smoothing out the skin from outside, we can not underestimate the power of food. What we eat gets reflected on our skin. To know the beauty secrets from a dermatologist, read this post - A Dermatologist's Advice To Glowing Skin

Natural Hair Care

I haven't yet figured out a PERFECT hair problems' solution unlike the way I have learnt the secrets of skin care but in the last few months I have STOPPED USING SLS BASED SHAMPOOS.

Since May 2016, I have stopped using market bought shampoos and instead have tried my hands at several home based and natural hair treatments.

In the last few months, there has been a tremendous decrease in hair fall. My dandruff has greatly reduced. And overall health of my hair has improved. Here are my alternatives to SLS based shampoos.

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Shampoo

We all are aware of the many versatile uses of baking soda. It works as an exfoliator and hence I use it often to clean my scalp.

I wet my hair in shower. Take baking soda in palm and rub it gently on the scalp with finger tips. This not only gives me a clean and clear scalp but also helps in getting rid of dandruff.

Other times, I mix it with water to form a paste and then apply it on scalp. Leave it on for few minutes and then rinse normally with water that has vinegar mixed to it.

Honestly, I do not use baking soda too often on my hair since I think it's coarse texture may make my hair brittle and also because after using baking soda I find my hair dry and a little rough.

But like I said, I use it clean my scalp. I do not rub it on my hair downwards. Simply rub it on scalp to clean it of any dirt and dandruff.

After cleaning I rinse my my hair with this mixture - 3 parts water + 1 part vinegar

It works perfectly well for me especially when my hair is not oiled.

Proudly displaying my dark, shiny hair even though they are hardly visible in this photo

2. Glycerin Based Soap As A Shampoo

My scalp is oily while my hair is dry and this gives me a tough time while washing my mane.

On days when my hair is not visibly oily, I use a glycerin based soap to clean my hair. In most cases I go with Pears while other times, I use Khadi's essential oil based soaps or natural handmade soaps.

These soaps remove excess oil from the hair without making it unmanageable. If I find my hair rough and tangled, I sometimes use a market bought conditioner.

3. Krya Zesty Hair Wash

Another Krya product I totally like applying on my hair. It is made from fresh berries and amla and shikakai and is devoid of chemicals like SLS, parabens and synthetic fragrances. It is a green, herbal like powder.

Usage of Krya hair wash may need some time to getting used to it. I find rinsing the most difficult but after seeing the noticeable difference in my hair health, I am not complaining.

Krya's hair wash is the one I use regularly and more frequently. It makes my hair a little rough as compared to market bought products but then that's my hair's fault. My hair is too dry and with time their texture has greatly improved. They aren't that dry anymore. Plus, market based shampoos give temporary shine and short term moisturizer.

Krya's hair wash has helped in reducing my dandruff and making my hair thicker. You MUST try it out.

Oil Based Hair Conditioner

I haven't yet learned a good recipe for natural hair conditioner but most of the times, this works well for me -

After proper rinsing of hair, take two drops of a light hair oil, mostly olive oil or any other oil, mix it with few drops of water and apply it straight on hair. Just like a conditioner, I gently rub the oil mix on my hair down the shoulders.

So far this has helped me in having soft hair but I am still looking for something better to be applied on the head after rinsing.

Natural Hair Masks

There is a plethora of recipes for natural hair masks.

My personal recommendation is - Egg and Vinegar Hair Mask. You can find the full recipe here -

DIY Nourishing Egg And Vinegar Hair Mask

Other than the above, you can try these too!

Coconut Oil Honey Hair Mask

5 DIY Hair Masks

I have lot more information to share here but I think I will do so in different posts to keep this post scan-able.

Note: The above mentioned alternatives and suggestions are based on my personal experiences. I am not a dermatologist and nor I have any professional background in skin care or naturopathy.

But I have read a lot and have personally tested and tried things. I have written a lot on IMBB and those who know me from there, know that I wrote mostly on DIYs and home treatments.

The above suggestions may or may not work for you, although I do hope you try these out and figure out what suits best to your skin and hair.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

↧

Accommodation Required

September 7, 2016, 7:00 pm

≫ Next: As An 8 Yr Old, THIS IS HOW I Fought Against Sexual Abuse

≪ Previous: Complete Guide To Natural Skin And Hair Care

Don't get baffled with the title. This is not a classified ad but the title of an article that I once read in an Indian newspaper many many years ago.

I think it was Times of India that had published this small piece, a write-up which had the title of 'Accommodation Required'. Also I think I was in 11th or 12th standard so it must have been late 90s.

I loved the article so much that I cut it out from the newspaper and secured it my file where I used to keep all important papers and clippings. The cutting must still be there at my Meerut home. I wish I could share it with you but I do not have access to it right now.

This article talked about how we must keep a small piece of space reserved in our heart for just ourselves. It said that the whole accommodation available in our hearts and mind should not be sold or rented to one single person. I totally loved what it meant. I follow the same principle in my own life.

Last night, my best friend and I were talking. We talked for more than an hour and we discussed how relieving it is when we do not center all our attention on one single person, be it spouse, parents, kids or anyone else. It is very important to have loved ones in life and to love them truly and whole heartedly but at the same time, it is very important that we keep a check on how dependent we are becoming on them or how dependent they are upon us.

I had such a phase in my life. In the initial few years of my marriage, I was emotionally tied up with Sanjay in every possible way and that only gave us problems and reasons to fight often. I realized eventually, that the reason for this was my extreme emotional dependence upon him. Obviously, he is a human being, a normal being, so if I keep sky-high expectations of him, it is natural that he would not be able to fulfill all those even if he tries his best. He indeed did very well but I could see that it was unnecessarily stressing our relationship and I was also losing touch with myself.

Thus, I decided to create a bit of space in my mind and heart for myself and began to give some space to my spouse.

The moment I did it, things changed drastically and for the better.

Love does not mean confining your loved one and piling up expectations and standards upon him. Love is letting your loved one free.

Love is giving some accommodation to him and to you as well.

Create some accommodation in your heart: Only For Yourself. Have a little nook inside of you that belongs only to you and to no one else.

Do not let away the whole heart to somebody even if you love with the entirety of your heart and soul. Such kind of love only perishes in the long run.

Healthy love isn't all about the other. It is as much about you as him.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it. Let's spread the good words around.

↧

As An 8 Yr Old, THIS IS HOW I Fought Against Sexual Abuse

September 11, 2016, 8:51 pm

≫ Next: The Best Way To Love: Know How He Wants To Be Loved

≪ Previous: Accommodation Required

I was 8 years old. I remember it specifically.

I lived with my parents in the university campus in a house that was spacious and had rooms enough that many a times we rented out a room or two to university boys.

This is how he, the abuser, got the entry to my house. He was 20-22 years old and had rented a room in our house on the terrace and was a student at the university where my father was a professor. He was our distant relative and this made him a regular visitor to our house. I used to call him 'mama' - maternal uncle.

First time when he caught hold of me was when I was playing hide and seek with my 7 year old brother on the terrace. Innocently he asked if he could join us in our game and more innocently we agreed. After all, in a game of hide and seek, the more the better!

He was playing with us now and then asked my brother to give him two minutes so that he could find a place to hide along with me.

My brother went to the other corner of the terrace and this jerk took me inside the bathroom on the terrace and locked it from inside. I assumed he did so to hide both of us.

Inside the bathroom, he came near me, held me by my shoulders and made me lie down on the floor. When I asked him why, he replied, 'let us play our own game.'

I didn't understand at all what he meant by it but I thought maybe it was a part of our game.

He laid on top of me and started kissing and licking me all over my face and lips. I felt weird but this all happened so suddenly that I didn't know what to do.

Thankfully, my brother realized we were in the bathroom and he began banging the door, 'I have found you two. Come out. I have caught you.'

The jerk opened the door and we came out. Soon he announced that he didn't want to play any more. He said, 'you guys play, I have to work.'

My brother and I came downstairs immediately as it had got dark outside.

I didn't mention the incident to anyone. Not even to my parents. But I kept feeling disgusted about it. I thought of confiding in my mom but I didn't because I was scared and I thought my parents wouldn't let me play after knowing of this incident. Moreover, I thought maybe Mama did it by mistake.

Days passed by and I forgot about that incident. I had come to believe that it all happened as a mistake until it happened once again.

This time he asked my mom for the day's newspaper. My mom, since she didn't know of anything that had happened, asked me to go upstairs to give the newspaper to him.

I went upstairs and knocked his door. As soon as he opened it, he dragged me inside and pushed me on his bed. He repeated the same thing again only a little more forcefully and to a step ahead. This time he tried to remove my clothes.

Since he was on top of me, I couldn't push him away despite my best of efforts. He started touching me all over and kissing me forcefully. I wanted to get away from this situation as fast as I could but under his body, I couldn't even move.

Suddenly, my mom called my name and he left me go. I immediately got down and wanted to tell my mom about what had happened but this time also I couldn't. As soon as I decided to tell her, mom scolded me for being careless and taking time to deliver a newspaper.

The agony inside my heart remained there only. I couldn't utter a word to mom about it. But this time I had made up my mind - what he did to me wasn't a mistake by any standard. Mama wasn't innocent and what I underwent wasn't pleasant.

Since then I maintained a safe distance from him but still he found me one unfortunate day!

His father had visited us along with few guests. All were having dinner while my brother and I were busy with school projects. It was 9:30 pm and I suddenly realized that I needed a 12 inch scale urgently.

Mom was busy in the kitchen, dad was busy with the guests and it was very dark outside so I knew there wasn't a way to get the scale from the market.

The abuser somehow learnt of our situation and offered to lend his scale which was there in his room. He asked me to come upstairs to take it and I refused saying, 'my brother will bring it.' He replied, 'you need the scale, so you need to come. I won't give to him.'

Poor me, I had no option. I went upstairs but decided to not enter his room. He got the scale but noticed that I wasn't entering his room. Upon seeing my insistence on remaining outside his room, he forcibly pushed me into his room, locked it from inside and threw me on his bed.

I blamed myself for being foolish to come upstairs. I was in tears as I knew this time neither my brother would come knocking on my door and nor m mom will realize that I was trapped here.

I asked him to stop but he wasn't any less than a monster.

I prayed to God to save me from this torture but nothing seemed to help. Suddenly, I felt his hand under my skirt. As he slid his hand inside my skirt, I looked at him angrily. My eyes were burning with anger. He saw my eyes and tried to kiss me and I SLAPPED HIM.

I vividly remember my emotions and my fury and his expressions at that moment. First he was shocked to see my courage and anger but then he dismissed it as an accident. He thought I had slapped him by mistake. So he held me with a more firm grip and that is when I slapped him again.

I SLAPPED HIM AGAIN AND HARDER this time.

The shameless fellow didn't stop even then. Not even after being slapped by a 8 year old!

I said, 'look here' and he looked towards me. I SLAPPED HIM AGAIN for the third time! He was stunned. He hadn't imagined it from me.

He asked, 'will you hit me?' and I said, 'Yes, many time if you repeat it.'

I think he had understood it then. He got up. Gave me the scale and let me go. I opened the door, rushed downstairs and went straight to the dining area where everyone was having food.

I was panting and my clothes were lose and hanging on my body. The scale was in my hand.

Looking at me, my dad asked me, 'what happened beta?' Daddy thought I had gone to the market running.

I looked at the abuser's father and said, 'Mama did it.' By that time, my so-called mama had also come downstairs.

He looked worried. Mom came out of the kitchen. Dad asked me to go inside. I went straight to my project and drew the necessary lines that I needed the scale for.

I could hear some shouting and loud discussion from behind the closed door. After few minutes, my mom came inside to hug me and check me up. I told her that I was fine and I had slapped him.

She congratulated me on my courage and by then my work was finished so I threw away the scale.

All I now remember is that by the next morning that man was gone, forever!

Today, as I am 21 years old, I feel proud of myself of dealing with it on my own. I wish I had done it the first time it had happened to me. But nevertheless, it is never late to do the right thing.

I am no more timid or shy. I am determined and confident. Also, now I understand why my name means 'Goddess Durga.' That night, with that devil, I was no less than a young Goddess Durga.

Note: This story is contributed by a regular reader who chooses to remain anonymous. Please show her your appreciation for the courage and bravery she showed behind the doors at such a tender age.

***********

Thank you Reader for sending me your story. It is indeed a story of courage and inspiration. We, the moms, need to learn a lot from it. I have certainly taken many lessons from it.

From today, I promise, I won't question my girl. I will encourage her to confide in me naturally.

If she takes more time at some place or with some person, I won't blame her or call her careless. I will rather patiently hear what she has to say on her own.

I will learn and hone for myself while teaching the power of intuition to my child.

I will not force my young child to be friendly with others. I have come to understand that children have their own intuitive powers as well. My daughter, Pahal, takes her own different times to get close to people. And while I never force her to join a party or dance or mingle with kids, I am NOT GOING TO DO SO even in the future. I will let her open up on her own.

And last but not the least, I WILL BELIEVE MY CHILD.

(Photo Source: Shutterstock)

As parents, it is our utmost duty to place our trust in our kids. Our kids will trust us only when we trust them first. I remember how last night itself I asked Pahal if she did some XYZ thing and she confidently replied, 'NO' and I told her that I trust her. I said, 'Pahal, Mumma trusts you. I always trust you.' I think I just need to repeat that more often.

Parenting is hard in one way but easy in another. It becomes much easier if we just let it uncover on its own. If we do the basics right - teaching them to trust, asking them to open up, blaming them lesser and lesser and confiding in them more and more - parenting becomes the best joy in life.

You may wish to read these two posts that are related to women's safety:

9 CRITICAL SAFETY RULES FOR WOMEN

5 SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN

↧

The Best Way To Love: Know How He Wants To Be Loved

September 15, 2016, 9:50 pm

≫ Next: Dear Mother-In-Law, Please Don't Do These 7 Things To Your Daughter-In-Law

≪ Previous: As An 8 Yr Old, THIS IS HOW I Fought Against Sexual Abuse

*I had read this post years ago on a personal blog that does not exist any more. Sharing it here because it is all the more relevant today.*

The nicest thing that anyone ever did for me - other than my husband - was to fill my refrigerator full of diet Coke.

Yes, it was that simple.

I was working day and night on a deal for weeks on end and I had run out of diet Coke at home. At this time, I drank diet Coke in the morning (they hadn’t yet invented diet RockStar) and I’d been waking up for days without a damn diet Coke in my house.

One day I came home and I opened my refrigerator. My refrigerator, wall to wall and top to bottom, was completely packed with cans and cans and cans of diet Coke.

I remember it like it was yesterday. A refrigerator full of diet Coke. I was so touched that I cried.

This happened what must now be close to 10 years ago.

That person knew me. That person knew how to love me.

Someone once told me that there are four primary ways in which people like to be shown love: (1) affirmations; (2) tokens; (3) touch; and (4) acts of service. To most effectively show your love, you need to know how the object of your affection likes to be shown love.

People who need affirmations need to be told how wonderful they are. How smart they are. How beautiful they are and how much you love them.

People who need tokens need gifts - tokens of affection. Flowers. Jewelry. Tickets to the Niners game.

People who need touch need - you guessed it - to be touched. They need to be hugged, to have their arm squeezed when you pass, to not just sit next to you on the couch, but to snuggle with you on the couch.

People who need acts of service need what are essentially favors. They need to have their dry cleaning picked up just so they don’t have to do it. They need you to think about what they need - and give that to them. They need a refrigerator full of diet Coke.

Pretty simple. And, once you actually ask someone which of these makes them feel most loved, its pretty simple to show them that love in a way that they feel loved.

Don’t tell me how great and wonderful and beautiful I am - I’ll wonder what bridge you’re going to try to sell me.

Don’t buy me flowers - I’ll just forget to change the water and they’ll die in a day or two and I’ll feel guilty. Don’t buy me jewelry either. I have jewelry that I like. And that I wear. That I bought myself.

Don’t touch me - ok, touch me - massage my neck, back and shoulders. An act of service more than touching for the sake of touching.

That’s right - don’t do any of these things.

To show me you love me, fill my fridge with diet coke.

↧

Dear Mother-In-Law, Please Don't Do These 7 Things To Your Daughter-In-Law

September 18, 2016, 8:04 pm

≫ Next: 20 Easy Healthy And Edible Food Art For Kids

≪ Previous: The Best Way To Love: Know How He Wants To Be Loved

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is the most complicated relationship and more so in Indian context because here in India, marriages are more about family ties than individuals.

There are several reasons behind this love-hate relationship that two women share with each other. I tried to analyze why daughter-in-law and mother-in-law do not get along well with each other. Though the reasons behind the discord in this relationship go deeper than what I have understood, I believe that the daughter-in-law bears and puts up with much more than her mother-in-law because she leaves her own parents behind and come to live in an entirely new house.

This post is dedicated to all sweet mother-in-laws who care about the wives of their sons.

Dear Mother-In-Law, Please Don't Do These 7 Things To Your Daughter-In-Law

1. Do not insult or mock your daughter-in-law in public

She can't cook? She broke the newly bought set of glasses? Or she doesn't getup on time?

Whatever it is, do not ever make fun of, insult or mock her in front of others. Not even in front of your relatives that you believe are understanding enough.

Getting insulted in public hurts like hell.

2. Do not complain about your daughter-in-law to your son in her absence

She is his wife and she is going to be his children's mother. Understand it very well that if you back bite about her to your son, you are being responsible for their unhappy marriage.

If at all you have to bring something to your son's knowledge, discuss it openly when your daughter-in-law is also present so that she can express her side of the story too!

3. Do not become 'the other woman' in your daughter-in-law's wife

I feel sorry for writing this but I have seen many mother-in-laws acting like an other woman in their daughter-in-law's life. They become over interfering and always try to push their daughter-in-law behind and try to become the first woman in their son's life.

Mother-in-law, you need to understand that your son has his own life with his wife. Let them lead it the way they want to.

4. Do not try to parent your grand children

It is okay that you love them. You should. It is also okay that you try to teach them a good thing or two. You should.

But do not become their parent even if you baby sit them for the whole day. If your daughter-in-law doesn't approve of any of your habits or dealings with the baby, give it a break. Do not do it.

Your daughter-in-law is the mother of your grand children. She has every right to decide about them. Do not rob her off this right.

5. Do not EVER bad mouth your daughter-in-law's parents

I see lot of mother-in-laws bad mouthing and criticizing their daughter-in-law's parents. This is totally absurd.

Just the way your own daughter will never like you being criticized by someone else, your daughter-in-law also hates it when you badmouth about her parents.

Good or bad, they are her parents and that is all.

6. Do not treat your daughter-in-law like a maid

It is a pity that the Supreme Court of India had to give out with a ruling regarding this. It explains the bad state of affairs in our country.

Many mother-in-laws expect their daughter-in-laws to be perfect bahus and do all household chores on time and without any external help, most of the times, like their own mother-in-laws.

But times have changed and so have the ways in which daughters are being raised. Expecting one woman to finish all household chores all by herself is absolutely ridiculous in today's times when life has become more stressful and chaotic.

Let her hire a maid. Do not insist that your daughter-in-law only does the household chores. Let her decide what she feels comfortable doing.

7. Do not dictate what your daughter-in-law should wear or eat

Finally, do not expect your daughter-in-law to wear and eat as per your convenience and liking. Just because she is married to your son doesn't mean that her life will now revolve around your liking and disliking.

You don't cook non-veg at home? Fine. Let her dine outside and eat what she wants.

You never wore sleeveless or shorts or skirts? Nor did your daughters? Fine. You have lived your life the way you wanted to and your daughters are free to live theirs. Do not dictate your terms upon your daughter-in-law.

Dear mother-in-law,

Treat your daughter-in-law like a respectable human being and an individual. You can only advise her about few things but you can not expect her to agree to everything that you say.

She has had a different up-bringing and her parents wanted her to be a different person. Let her be.

READ:

This One Thing Is Wrong With (Almost) All Indian Moms

How Much I Wish I Had A Mother-In-Law

Here's Why A Good Indian Daughter And A Good Indian Mom Don't Get Along As In-Laws

Dear Indian Parents, Please Stop Doing This To Your Daughters

↧

20 Easy Healthy And Edible Food Art For Kids

September 20, 2016, 5:00 am

≫ Next: 11 Dialogues From PINK That Make Us Question Our Moral Standards

≪ Previous: Dear Mother-In-Law, Please Don't Do These 7 Things To Your Daughter-In-Law

Feeding kids can be extremely challenging. Especially feeding them fruits and vegetables. Many kids tend to run away from eating healthy, nutritious food that mainly includes raw fruits and veggies.

One way to feed them is to present their food in an attractive manner.

I did some searching on internet and have come up with these awesome food art that will lure your kiddo into eating fruits and veggies.

20 Easy Healthy And Edible Food Art For Kids

1. Kiwi Caterpillar

This caterpillar not only tastes well but it also looks beautiful. Probably, it is the most good looking caterpillar out there. Not only the kids will love to look at it and cook stories around it, they will grow a love for kiwis with it.

Find the full tutorial here.

2. Little Girl With Balloons

This attractive food art is made by Jill of Meet The Dubiens. This food art combines grapes, neatly cut bell pepper, some green leaves and a small round piece of apple. Source here. Who wouldn't love this food art? I am afraid that kids may not like to snatch a balloon from it!

3. Frozen Banana Penguins

This one comes from Reading Confetti. Full tutorial here. Cut bananas in long shape, dip them in molten chocolate and freeze! Decorate it and banana penguin is ready.

4. Apple Owl

Full tutorial here. I am never going to serve an apple in plain piece from now on. This green apple owl is largely made from a green apple only. It will be fun for kids to eat away its wings one by one.

5. Fruity Flower

This food art for kids will certainly attract them with its colorful watermelon petals and stems made of green grapes. You can use pieces of cucumber for making additional shrubs around. Full instructions here.

6. Fruit Farm On Plate

After seeing this fruit farm on plate, your kids will wish that they actually get to live on one. Made from berries - strawberries and blue berries - the farm looks colorful and gives a staple supply of fruits. Source here.

7. Cracker Biscuit House

I simply adore this food art. It uses a piece of cauliflower or zucchini as a tree and makes a beautiful hut out of cracker biscuits. One can play around with this hut using different biscuits. Grounded chocolate powder is used to make the floor. Source here.

8. Edible Flower Farm With Sunny Side Up

What a beautiful farm this is. Use any green stick as stem. Half a orange as a sun. Orange slices are petals of a flower with half a grape at the centre. For the wind mill, you can use thinly cut pieces of carrot. Source here.

9. Fruity Butterfly

This food art is my kid's favorite. She absolutely loves this butterfly and insists on making it. It uses green grapes as the body and thinly cut orange slices as the wings of the butterfly. Full tutorial here.

10. The Sheep Fruit

Ba ba white sheep is a hit among kids' food art. Use banana slices as the body of the sheep and black grapes for its face and legs. Green grapes can make the ground or the grass. Mini marshmallows and raisins are used for eyes. Source here.

11. Pineapple Tennis Player

Idafrosk's Instagram account is full of such beautiful food art. Check out her account here.

12. Tomato Dosa Peacock

You can find the full tutorial of this desi art here. Two dosas are used and folded as wings of the peacock. Tomatoes give it the body.

13. The Egg Flower

A beautiful food art made from eggs. The eggs with yolks act as petals and the half cut tomato is placed at the centre. Full tutorial here.

14. Banana Fruit Castle

This kids food art is made entirely from fruits and looks so grand. The banana pieces act as the wall of the castle while the strawberries give a red roof to it. Kiwis make the base. Full tutorial here.

15. Vegetable Dinosaur

Use bell peppers and carrot sticks to make this dinosaurs. It uses Capsicum red & yellow (bell pepper), Carrot, Cucumber.

Full tutorial here.

16. Fruity Night Sky

This attractive kids' food art is made from 2 strawberries, 2 green grapes, 2-3 raw sugar snap peas, slice of cheddar cheese, 3 organix cheese stars. Full tutorial here.

17. Bell Pepper Flower

Slice bell peppers through the middle. Place sliced pepper on a hot skillet. Crack an egg into the center. When egg whites are no longer runny, flip and cook on the other side. Full tutorial here.

18. Fruit Bunny

Help your kids get excited for his arrival by serving them this super simple and super delicious Easter Bunny fruit snack. With just 4 easy steps, you can whip up this snack faster than a bunny can hop. Full tutorial here.

19. Green Apple Snow Man

Source here.

20. Edible Christmas Tree

Full tutorial here.

Also read: 50 Quick and Easy Breakfast, Snacks and Lunch Box Ideas For Kids

↧

11 Dialogues From PINK That Make Us Question Our Moral Standards

September 21, 2016, 11:34 pm

≫ Next: Ultimate Moisturizing DIY Body Lotion With Just 3 Ingredients

≪ Previous: 20 Easy Healthy And Edible Food Art For Kids

Ever since I watched PINK, I have been thinking about it. This is how powerful the movie is.

PINK is not a movie anymore. It is a revolution. It feels like my own movie. My own voice.

The best thing is that the movie does not give away a direct message but rather simply tells us the reality. The regressive moral standards of the society.

10 Dialogues From PINK That Make Us Question Our Moral Standards

1. We judge north eastern girls.

(Source: here)

2. Late nights are still a NO for girls.

(Source: here)

3. Cat calls and eve teasing increase at nights.

(Source: here)

4. If a woman is with a man, he takes her for granted.

(Source: here)

5. Drinking is still a man's thing. Women are judged for drinking.

(Source: here)

6. Our system thrashes weak people.

(Source: here)

7. Losing virginity makes you a woman of questionable character.

(Source: here)

8. We still classify women

(Source: here)

9. Many men feel women ask for it.

(Source: here)

10. Independent women confuse men.

(Source: here)

11. What does No mean? It means STOP.

(Source: here)

↧

Ultimate Moisturizing DIY Body Lotion With Just 3 Ingredients

September 27, 2016, 4:41 am

≫ Next: Book Review and a Lesson For Life - Thirteen Reasons Why

≪ Previous: 11 Dialogues From PINK That Make Us Question Our Moral Standards

Winters may knock here any day and the need of a moisturizer becomes the utmost importance of all.

In the Complete Guide To Natural Skin and Hair Care, I declared that not only I prefer using natural, home made products, I actually USE them! Last winters I used a DIY moisturizing body butter that worked for more than 24 hours and kept my skin soft and smooth throughout. This winters I will make a fresh batch again.

Along with the DIY body butter, I also use a DIY body lotion that is a staple in my beauty regime. I simply can't do a day without it. This body lotion requires only three ingredients to prepare and it is used for multiple purposes.

DIY glycerin rose water lemon body lotion

This body lotion is one such product that serves many uses and can be used as a face moisturizer, lip moisturizer (or a lip balm), a body lotion to smoothen rough areas like elbows, knees, as a deodorant on the arm pits, as a lotion to lighten dark spots on the body or as a simple body lotion.

I have been using it for as long as I can remember. At least for the last 10-15 years I clearly remember having a bottle of it ready at home. So when I can tell you it is a miracle product, you can trust me because I have tested it, tried it and used it.

How to make DIY Glycerin Rose Water Lemon Body Lotion

The main thing in the making of this body lotion lies in the consistency and it depends on what consistency you prefer. I prefer more of glycerin in winters while more of lemon and rosewater in summers for the obvious reasons of glycerin's moisturizing properties and lemon's anti bacterial and bleaching qualities.

You can alter the quantities as per your preference. It is really easy to make. If you find it sticky, add more of lemon! If you think it doesn't moisturize your skin well, add more of glycerin! If you want to balance the both and want a lotion that gets absorbed quickly, add more of rose water!

Add two tbsp of glycerin in a jar or bottle
Add eight tbsp of rose water
Add one/two tbsp of lemon juice
Add 1 tsp of an essential oil of your choice. I prefer rose oil for its lovely fragrance.
Add 1 tsp of Vit. E oil to it. If you do not have Vit. E oil, simply squeeze two Vit. E capsules into it.

Mix and shake all the ingredients in the jar or bottle. Store and use.

It goes well upto 3-4 months without rotting.

Glycerin - helps in smoothening of skin by providing it with excellent moisturizing.

Lemon Juice - helps in skin lightening and in flushing out the toxins of the skin. Lemon juice is the best cleanser.

Rose Water - helps in over all toning of the skin.

Essential Oils - help in giving a mild fragrance and the added benefits of their nature.

Vitamin E Oil - helps in moisturizing as well as acts as a preservative.

Use for Oily Skin

Up the dose of lemon juice and rose water. Add peppermint oil or lemon oil (optional) and you have a face moisturizer that won't break out.

Use for Dry Skin

Up the amount of glycerin in comparison to lemon juice and rose water. Add jojoba oil or rose oil (optional) and your skin won't feel dry again.

Use for Combination Skin

Combine all the three ingredients in equal measure and your perfect lotion is ready.

Overall use of Glycerin-Rosewater-Lemon Body Lotion

It can be used as a face moisturizer

I use it on my lips and it heals my chapped lips better than any of the market available lip balms

It can be used on rough skin areas like knees, elbows or feet

You can spray it on your arm pits and within a month your dark underarms will be lighter

It can be used as a body lotion throughout the year

Note: Avoid using it on irritated or broken skin as the lemon juice may sting.

My body lotion looks red because I added red-colored HOME MADE ROSE WATER to it.

↧

Book Review and a Lesson For Life - Thirteen Reasons Why

September 30, 2016, 11:42 pm

≫ Next: DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub (and Scrub Cubes)

≪ Previous: Ultimate Moisturizing DIY Body Lotion With Just 3 Ingredients

How many times does it happen that we say something to someone casually and that person takes a big offense? Or that sometimes we say things without realizing how our simple words can affect someone deeply and badly.

The book 'Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher deals with just this concept.

I had once got very upset with my best friend and couldn't talk to her properly for months because she had something and I found it disrespectful. She kept explaining that she didn't say it intentionally and that she didn't mean it the way I took it but nothing gave me respite. I was hurt deep inside. It was only after her apology and after several weeks that I calmed myself down and we got back to normalcy.

After reading Thirteen Reasons Why, that incident popped up in my mind and I realized how words affect us in ways we can never assume them to.

(Pic Source: here)

The book Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is one such book that tells us how our lives are intwined with each other's and how, unknowingly or unknowingly, we impact others' lives in more profound ways than we can ever imagine.

The book is about a fifteen year old young girl named Hannah Baker who commits suicide. Before killing herself, she leaves six cassette tapes in which she records her voice and explains the thirteen reasons why she killed herself. She records the tapes, packs them in a box and gets them delivered to all the people who are responsible for her act, directly or indirectly. Each person who gets the tape has to pass them on to the next person in the list and the chain has to continue until all the names in the list of 'thirteen reasons' receive the tapes.

We read the book in the voice of Clay Jensen, a young boy who also receives the tapes from Hannah. He is not sure why he has received the tapes and listens to all of them to find out how and why he could be a reason for Hannah's death.

Hannah explains all the thirteen reasons for her decision to end her life in the tapes and also talks about her agony and mental pain.

The book takes us through the journey of a young girl in a new school and traverses across the various small yet murky incidents that take place in her life that can mar any young individual and particularly an adolescent woman.

(PicSource: here)

As we begin the book, the initial incidents do not seem to be so grueling only because we know such things happen everywhere. But as we progress further, we find out how every single incident during that time fueled Hannah's desperation to end her life.

The book does not involve any plot or murder scheme, instead it is the journey of a young girl in a new city, new school that bullies her from the day one. Typically, we expect a teenager book to delve into the topics of competitiveness, body image, job placements, high scores and finding one's foot in the world but Thirteen Reasons Why looks at the smaller but most crucial aspects of life - friendship, trust and dignity.

In the first few days of school, Hannah kisses a boy who later spreads the rumor that Hannah slept with him and thus is easily available. Another boy then compiles a list of who's hot and who's not girls in the class and circulates it. He deliberately puts Hannah's name in the hot list and writes her best friend's name in the not list thus creating a rift between the two.

Before killing herself, Hannah decides to seek help and anonymously drops a note about suicide for the prospective discussion in the class. The faculty and the students fail to actually help the note-writer and instead take it as a strategy to gain some attention which deeply affects Hannah.

There are many more such incidents in the book that have prompted her to take such a drastic step. The narrator Clay is also on the list because he tried to help Hannah but he didn't try enough.

The book is a compelling read. Once you turn over few pages, it becomes hard to put it down. You want to finish it soon to understand what really went inside Hannah's head.

The language is simple and easy to understand. The narrative is impressive and grips you in way that as you read the book, you imagine Hannah's character and every person and place she mentions in the tape.

Read it to understand and delve into a young teenager's distressed state of mind and how several small incidents coupled together to bring her to the state of suicide. Along with this, there are a few times when Hannah herself felt guilty of not being a good citizen, particularly when she meekly watched a drunk girl being raped and an accident claiming a life.

The real change happens in Clay Jensen's life who is so moved by Hannah's story that in the end, he goes forward to say hello to a girl named Skye who has been developing suicidal tendencies just like Hannah.

The way Hannah was able to change Clay's mind and heart after her death, the book also leaves profound effect on its readers.

Poem by Jay Asher in Thirteen Reasons Why; source: Pinterest.com

After reading the book, I went into an introspection state where I looked back at my life and wondered how many times I have hurt others by saying or doing silly things. I also thought about how others have deeply hurt me during school and college. There were students who made fun of me for silly reasons. The guy who once laughed at me when I couldn't pronounce a word right and the guy who compared my complexion with a fair girl. There were girls who laughed at me (and other similar girls) for no funny reasons. Thankfully I had many friends and a very supportive family, so I never thought about suicide. I was quite happy with life.

But what if I didn't have good friends? What if I felt utterly alone when I was being laughed at?

On the other hand, I also looked at the way when knowingly and unknowingly I also hurt others. I remembered how, when we were kids, I made fun of my sister once in front of my entire family and she cried a lot later. Now as a grown up, I feel ashamed of my act and can't even gather the courage to say sorry to her.

The picture below tells how the author Jay Asher got the idea of the book.

The book has taught me to be a good human being and to think before I speak. I will now take extra care and be more sympathetic towards other people.

The book has taught me many lessons:

Practice compassion:Kindness is a virtue. We must try to be kind, gentle and compassionate towards others. There are times when it becomes impossible to do so but most of the times we can stay empathetic towards others. It doesn't harm to be your kindest self.

Learn to trust: I also learnt a lesson about 'who to trust' from the book. We do not have to trust anybody or everybody. We must learn to choose who to trust. Trust is very fragile. If we trust the wrong people, our capacity to trust diminishes greatly.

Be around genuine people: While the habit of compassion and the ability to trust come from within, we must be around genuine people to have more meaningful relationships in life. Fake people only rob us off our self confidence and disconnect us from ourselves.

Help others: This is the most important lesson. If you think somebody is in trouble, reach out to them. You do not have to do it explicitly. Be subtle. But find ways to listen to them and hear them out. Who knows you may save a life?

Isn't it ironic that we need books to remind us that we shouldn't be rude to people and that we should practice kindness and compassion and that we shouldn't ignore people for no reason?

Let the book teach us. The medium doesn't matter as long as we learn to be kind to others. As long as we behave with others the way we want to be behaved with.

I would highly recommend reading Thirteen Reasons Why. It is a must read. It encourages you to be a better person. It changes your mind. It is a must read because it makes you think about those albeit small yet crucial things that we often take for granted.

To purchase the book, click on the link below. It would take you straight to the Flipkart page. The book is available at a small discount.

You may wish to read:

11 Simple Ways To Develop Habit Of Book Reading

10 Must Read Books For Women That I Love To Read

↧

DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub (and Scrub Cubes)

October 12, 2016, 2:16 am

≪ Previous: Book Review and a Lesson For Life - Thirteen Reasons Why

We all understand the importance of exfoliation in everyday beauty regime. Scrubs help us in removing the dead cells of the skin, clean the skin of its impurities and help the skin in breathing.

I have always been a fan of DIY and home made beauty products. I have been making my own beauty products for a long time and only recently I decided to share my knowledge with you all.

I am not a beauty or health expert, but I have learnt few things about making beauty products at home. The best of which is that home made products give us the huge benefit of customization where we can add and remove ingredients as per our choice and skin type.

In this four ingredient DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub, I have added the ingredients that I love using on my skin. To make the scrub cubes, I simply put the scrub in freezer for few hours and the cubes were ready and pretty!

Coffee gives me the kick. Not only in the form of a hot cup every morning but also its aroma in any form rejuvenates me. Plus, coffee helps in reducing stretch marks and in removing cellulite. Powdered coffee grounds make an excellent ingredient of exfoliator which is why coffee was my first preference as an exfoliator.

Sugar granules also work effectively in exfoliation. I added powdered sugar granules because coffee alone doesn't give the necessary scrubbing effect. It gets a little gooey and I find it a little hard to rub it on skin. But when sugar granules are added, the two work wonderfully well. I powder my white sugar to get the desired coarseness.

My third ingredients was of course an oil. I chose coconut oil because of its immense properties including its moisturizing use. You can add olive oil or almond oil or any other oil that you prefer.

Finally, I added few drops of peppermint oil. Peppermint is cooling and soothing. Although the weather is getting cooler here, I am never tired of the cooling tinge of peppermint oil. Peppermint oil helps in relaxing. You can add any essential oil of your choice.

How to make DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub

The scrub is extremely simple and easy to make.

1/2 a cup of powdered coffee
1/2 a cup of powdered sugar (you can use brown sugar as well)
1/2 (or 3/4 cup) of any oil of your choice
Few drops of an essential oil

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a jar. Pour over the oil slowly to get the kind of consistency you desire. Add essential oil drops for overall aroma and added benefits.

This scrub can stay on the shelf for up to 3 months.

How to use DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub

The best practice is to use it 3-4 times in a week although I use it as and when required. There are times when I use it regularly for days and times when I use it once or twice a week.

Benefits of DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub

I added coconut oil to it which is why it has become moisturizing in nature and thus a perfect scrub for winters
Coffee gives a nice, warm aroma early in the morning
Sugar helps in removing the dead cells
Peppermint not only adds the cooling sensation but also relaxes my skin

Overall, I am addicted to my home made sugar coffee scrub.

I also froze a small amount of the scrub in ice-tray for few hours to make the scrub cubes. Scrub cubes come very handy in times of hurry.

How To make DIY Moisturizing Peppermint Sugar Coffee Scrub Cubes

Remember to add coconut oil to the concoction as coconut oil only has the tendency to freeze. No other oil freezes so if you wish to make scrub cubes, add coconut oil and not any other oil.

This isn't the first time I have made it. I have been using it for the past two years. Each year I add a new variety of moisturizing oil and essential oil to try out different concoctions. For example, last year I added olive oil and few drops of rose oil.

I use it on my body as well as on face. In fact, I wanted to use it on face which is why I didn't add brown sugar as I find brown sugar a little harsh on my facial skin. Powdered white sugar granules work absolutely well on my face.

Try this out and make your own batch. You will love it, I promise.

↧