Dads- The Most Underrated Parent!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

My Dad is the quintessence of an 80s Dad. Strict, no-nonsense, discipline is everything kinda Father.
His role like all fathers then was to provide a secure environment to the family.  He went to work early in the morning before dropping my brother and me to school, while hardly talking a word to us. And got back home pretty tired late evening. He definitely was very hardworking! Before he called it a night I remember our evenings were dinner at the table went along with customary updates on how  well we were doing  at school ( more like how well my bro was), usual yelling at me to buck up and pull up my socks and study well or all my friends would leave me behind and move onto the next level. Or about how I would end up in a boarding school for not listening to my mom. So that was a typical weekday. 

Weekends now was mainly Sunday...because as a Bank Manager my Dad worked half day and we too had half day school ( think of it now sounds ridiculous might as well given us a hol)! So Sundays were our Outing Days....which included Cubbon park or Lalbagh, with cotton candy and a horse ride. At times we would go out for a movie and it never was a kids movie...( parents then would take kids to every bollywood movie or Hollywood movie with no filtering whatsoever). I remember watching The exorcist when I was 5-6 yrs old, you imagine the night mares I had to endure for months. The Day would have to end with a delicious dinner at one of our favourite restaurants...no zomating for newly opened etc. Drive straight to either Sukh Sagar, EBONY, or Cafe de Airlines. We loved them all so no complains there. 

So the Sunday we spent with my dad was pretty much this. Of course we did have our game moments...were after I had learnt to play chess, we would have a regular matches now and then .... He with a drink in his hand, me with a milkshake!! And there weren't much talking happening mind you....he's a serious player! 
As the 80s kid that I was I loved and enjoyed how  much ever time my dad gave me.... I mean what do I compare it with right. That was the norm back then...! Untill  we flash forward to today....sszzzzh! More at my daughter and my dear husband!! 

My Husband is a complete hands on dad! He can take care of our daughter from the minute she wakes up to the minute she falls asleep and in between. He gets her ready to school on my bad ( tired, crampy) days, he can cook quite a number of dishes and they taste absolutely delicious by the way. He takes her to kiddie movies, to the park to the kids play area. At home they play loads of stuff from hopscotch to uno to hide and seek. And he does all this with his primal commitment...that is providing a safe secure future for the the family. 

So here I am looking at this man tackle my daughter 10th anger outburst with patience as they play Connect 4 and while he replies to a work mail.....I cannot but wonder How Dads are the most Underrated Parent!! And I start thinking about ways to make him feel appreciated and thanked for everything he does for us. 
Dads some how have evolved into these invisible super humans who genuinely want to be there for the family and also not miss a day at work, being focused on supporting us financially as well. There is true pressure which I have haven't really gone through

Happy Father's Day Love!!

5 Locations in Bangalore you must take your kid for the Christmas Decorations!

"It's the time to be jolly"..... And kids are all about being jolly and having fun. Decorating the family Christmas Tree can a be whole lot of fun and a good way to bond with the kids. 
Another fun activity that can easily make its way into the family  tradition is  visiting the city's beautiful and gorgeous Christmas decorations. Here are few places to be at for your dose on everything Christmassy and cheerful.

UB City Mall:

From giant Christmas trees to gigantic wreaths' you have to got to give to UB city for its cute and classy decorations. The main stairway is condoned off to display cute little objects like reindeers. There was also a polar bear theme last year. And not to forget the human sized nutcracker. With a huge Christmas tree taking the place of the fountain and the whole area is decorated with big candy canes. Alas they weren't made of real candy. A definite must visit. 

Phoenix Mall:

One of the biggest malls in the city and it always boasts of grand decorations for all festivals. Its always suited up for the occasion.
With Christmas trees, Santa's and lotsa of fun at the Hamleys store and many more.

VR Bengaluru Mall:

Its neighbour to Phoenix is the classy building in black, VR mall has some fun activities lined up for all this Christmas. With Santa Claus, reindeers and I heard they saying it may just snow if you believe in miracles. Well I surely do!!

Leela Palace:

Looking at a less crowed place for the little one to enjoy Christmas decorations then Leela Palace Hotel is the right place. Quite and cosy but will all the beautiful Christmas festivities, Christmas trees and also a gingerbread looking house for the little ones to explore. 

Forum Mall:

The oldest mall in the city and still a favourite to most Bangaloreans. Forum mall always has some cute decorations that aren't over the top. And with so many stores, restaurants and a cinema hall, a trip here would be an apt day outing. 

Christmas is brings cheer to everyone and in everything, wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

What does Being Alone truly mean?

Is it that feeling when you're talking to some one that matters, but all you can feel is white noise?

Is it the reason those  tears are trickling down your cheek on a day you feel is going on pretty well compared to yesterday, then why the tears?

Is it that feeling of "being invisible" when you need someone to actually see you for who you are and what you stand for?

Is it that state when everything and everyone around you are moving the way they are supposed to be accept you at times are moving opposite to it and worse at times standing still?

Is it that facade of everything pink, blue, or like a rainbow cake gorgeous to the core covering up everything that probably is just a regular brown day?

Is that feeling of detachment to everything when you hit rock bottom and begun to scrape the ground beneath that bottom because coming back up just doesn't feel the place to be anymore?

No one can truly know what is is to be 'Alone', one can be surrounded with people an still be alone. I dunno if being alone is any of the above, but something I have welcomed with arms wide open. Being alone for me isn't something despondent, it's just what it is 'Alone.'....with myself! And one needs to be lucky to have been given this opportunity in life because I always believe in life to move forward one needs to know you're true self, the good and the dark side. To make peace with your past and all its mistakes. To unburden that baggage one has been carrying all these years .....to really accept who you are and your failures. 

Only when someone is truly Alone, one can meet the real you! Your needs, wishes, desires and fears unfolds. From then Life is so much more simpler & clearer. And being alone will never ever be your kryptonite. At least it isn't mine anymore and all I can do now is move forward with my loved ones or only by myself it doesn't matter! 

What does Being Alone truly mean?

Is it that feeling when you're talking to some one that matters, but all you can feel is white noise?

Is it the reason those  tears are trickling down your cheek on a day you feel is going on pretty well compared to yesterday, then why the tears?

Is it that feeling of "being invisible" when you need someone to actually see you for who you are and what you stand for?

Is it that state when everything and everyone around you are moving the way they are supposed to be accept you at times are moving opposite to it and worse at times standing still?

Is it that facade of everything pink, blue, or like a rainbow cake gorgeous to the core covering up everything that probably is just a regular brown day?

Is that feeling of detachment to everything when you hit rock bottom and begun to scrape the ground beneath that bottom because coming back up just doesn't feel the place to be anymore?

No one can truly know what is is to be 'Alone', one can be surrounded with people an still be alone. I dunno if being alone is any of the above, but something I have welcomed with arms wide open. Being alone for me isn't something despondent, it's just what it is 'Alone.'....with myself! And one needs to be lucky to have been given this opportunity in life because I always believe in life to move forward one needs to know you're true self, the good and the dark side. To make peace with your past and all its mistakes. To unburden that baggage one has been carrying all these years .....to really accept who you are and your failures. 

Only when someone is truly Alone, one can meet the real you! Your needs, wishes, desires and fears unfolds. From then Life is so much more simpler & clearer. And being alone will never ever be your kryptonite. At least it isn't mine anymore and all I can do now is move forward with my loved ones or only by myself it doesn't matter! 

Instagram, Selfies and everything social in a Supermommy's Life!

We took a weekend trip to a beautiful resort located at the outskirts' of Bangalore. This was a gorgeous place with colors of spring all around us. Once I was done clicking some beautiful pics of the place, my 4yr old with a casual attitude checks if I have sent the pics to the family Whatsapp group or uploaded it on my Instagram. With disbelief bordering on shock I wondered whether I was raising a social media savvy kid and How much has social media impacted our life!! For a parent Social media is a boon in many ways. 

With the rise of nuclear families, young parents find it easy and convenient to seek help from like minded couples who have been there & still doing that. Being a part of WhatsApp mom groups, Facebook moms and parent group is such an important part of our life as parents. Its a go -to when you need that timely advice, which is helpful especially during odd hours where getting a doctor would take time. Also the knowledge that another mother is going through this or has experienced something similar assures you that you aren't alone.  

But for a child the impact of social media plays out quite differently. For kids below the age of 6 social media may seem like a norm. Whether it's recording Dubsmash videos with parents, or seeing their pics on their parents Instagram or Facebook to watching cartoons or nursery rhymes on YouTube all seems nothing out of the ordinary to them. For example my daughter loves to Skype with her Uncle in the US. We also send out voice recordings of her birthday wishes to cousins, uncles and aunt we don't meet regularly. These are few social media tools that we as parents have unconsciously introduced her too.  

Though for  tweens and teens social media is such important part of their social structure.Kids this age use social media to stay connected with their peer group. Social media platforms like Whatsapp are created on common interest like dance, theatre or even on a project. Facebook to has closed groups that are formed based on similar likes and tastes. 

Latest craze amongst youngsters and young adults are following Vlogs of people on YouTube who dedicate their channel on a particular interest which can range from baking, learning a new language, makeup, critic reviews on TV series to even DIY projects. This is something that my daughter can take advantage of once she reaches that age i.e. using this medium to enhance her creativity and increase her knowledge . She already requests me to show videos on things she learns at school for example the solar system, how does rocket work, to simple topics like wild animals. 

Social media tools help introverted kids to interact with the peer group than a one-on-one situation.Using social media constantly can negatively influence young minds. They are susceptible to cyber-bullying, sexting, Facebook depression, body image insecurity etc. All these if left unchecked can lead to serious depression, isolation and even suicidal tendencies.Social media can be addictive, young kids are obsessed with the constant need to check their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. 

The 'likes' one gets in their pics or how many of their friends are following them on Instagram seem to be play a very important role in being accepted among the peer group. Such compulsive checking can disrupt their concentration with school work, sports, recreation activities that they should be pursing at this age. 

 Also many social media tools display various ads in form banners, behavioral ads and also demographic ads targeted at certain age, gender etc. This influences adolescents buying behavior and what they perceive as normal. It's important to educate parents, adolescents and children about how ads can easily manipulate them. Teaching them to be media-literate and responsible consumers is essential.When it comes to  parenting how much social media has impacted us solely depends on how we as parents use it. 

Whether we are sharing information of our child we are genuinely proud off  to random, everyday mundane stuff that happens in every household is our call to make. Also there are couples who wish their spouses on their special days like anniversaries, birthdays on Facebook and I can't fathom the fact these are people who live together and see each other daily, yet yearn to use an App to convey their feelings. 

Is this what we want our children to learn and practice as well!!Do keep in mind, with power comes great responsibility we are responsible for the kind of digital footprint we leave in this world. Once on the internet forever on the Internet!  Social media today has revolutionized the way we connect as humans with our world, using it to our advantage and to enhance our learning and knowledge is the quintessence that is needed.

A lot of people use social media to share mundane things or for self-glorification. I try to use it to share interesting things with people. Ashton Kutcher
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/ashtonkutc569069.html?src=t_social_media

A lot of people use social media to share mundane things or for self-glorification. I try to use it to share interesting things with people. Ashton Kutcher
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/ashtonkutc569069.html?src=t_social_media

A lot of people use social media to share mundane things or for self-glorification. I try to use it to share interesting things with people. Ashton Kutcher
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/ashtonkutc569069.html?src=t_social_media

A lot of people use social media to share mundane things or for self-glorification. I try to use it to share interesting things with people. Ashton Kutcher
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/ashtonkutc569069.html?src=t_social_media

My midnight letter to my daughter!!

My baby,

This is one of my mails to you that I promised myself to write whenever I can, preferably everyday and I will fwd it to you one day when you are grown up and are able to understand everything I'm sharing with you.

You just fell asleep and I sat... recalling the day, the fun we had together, how we danced and played silly with your dolls. How we painted and made funny faces.....but what stood out the most about today is.....how I hurt you, you were your usual stubborn self and I lost my patience as always with you and ended up hitting you. At that moment I become so wild with you and end up being my worst self. You deserve so much more from me and nothing ever like this. This is my problem and I'm changing it and I will fix it. I'm trying different methods to communicate with you without raising my hand. If someone were to hit me like I hit you..as an adult it would hurt me, anger me and disrespect me....I can't imagine what it does to you who has been in this world only for 3.5 yrs....compared to someone who's been for 35. I want to be better than this... even while it's so difficult for me to move away from how I have been raised and corrected while I was a kid, I want to be a good mother...a mother who you don't listen to out of fear, but one who you listen to because you love to and more than anything because you wholeheartedly want too. 
If I can accomplish that then I would consider being deserving of your love. Thank you for giving me the reason, the motivation to be a better person to be a better human being just like You! 

Love Mummy! 

Being Intolerant or Tolerant or just Confused!!

Yes this is about the whole "Intolerant India" rant and boo ha that's going around. But seriously I'm a little bit confused to whether I find India Intolerant of Tolerant, the lines are so blur or I'm just a dimwit who's not able to get this new concept....well im trying to keep myself updated with what's happening in the world in between the numerous Supermommy chores that never seem to end. 

So now is being intolerant means something like how people are lactose intolerant hence can't have anything to do with lactose ....so that means one is Intolerant toward India means they can't stand India. But then if I can stand India but still not be happy with lots of stuff happening in the country then what am I.....Selectively Intolerant toward India. 

Hmmm......I think getting a toddler potty trained is much easier than this and trust me potty training is freaking difficult. 

Let me try it this way.... What am I intolerant towards my Country or let's stick to my city because obviously that's where I live right. I wake up every morning or at least most mornings to either the street dogs barking away to glory...probably they have their own intolerant issues who knows...or they just pissed off with the BBMP guys who have stopped neutering them anymore....or are having a complete rave party to the bags and bags of garbage laying out because you know....its Namma Bengaluru here garbage gets removed like once in a week or was that a month. 

And then it's the usual saga of getting food ready, getting my daughter ready to school, with some few sneaked in conversations to my hubby who is usually part happy part grumpy self every morning....guess he has his intolerant issues as well....the fact that he has to drive all the way to work in that war zone I call Bangalore Traffic....trying to avoid potholes that are camouflaged with previous day's rain water, or trying not to hit the rider in front who suddenly realized there one of these death holes in front of her...some aunties I tell you...they have the reflex of a hunting animal.. so quick they are in turning the direction of their vehicles, which in such situations is helpful I think...

Yes and then my daughter and I are ready to leave to school where she is securely strapped into her car seat...after our routine argument that she doesn't need to sit in it because she watches so many other kids who dont seem to be sitting in one and also sit in the front seat next their parents....I try my best to slip my way out of that conversation well how can I explain the fact that there isn't really a rule by law that kids need to sit securely strapped to a car seat....so I tell her that she has to sit in it because it's the safest place to sit in....but I can sense this question and debate of how other kids get to experience such freedom in car or even go on a bike is coming back to bite me in the rear. I also have something on my side to support me to get her to sit in the car seat every time I drive....remember the death holes, and the quick re flexed aunties and uncle or the "we need to get somewhere more than you" auto guys or cab guys!! Well I usually have her at "potholes"!! 

And so the tolerant me or intolerant me ( still haven't decided) drops off the lil one and gets back home....to sit back with me cuppa coffee and enjoy the peace at home....and I hear my neighbor ranting away to her hubby about how she not able to get any work done whole morning.....and I'm wondering what's her deal....wonder what she being intolerant about. I just had to check and I realize there hasn't been electricity for more than 2hrs.....Well thanks to my UPS I dint even notice it. But here this poor lady is wondering what to do with half ground masala for the Biryani and the half washed clothes laying in the washing machine. I assure the sulking Mom that she may want to give it a hour or so and the electricity will find its way home. 

And thus I'm back on my couch sipping this amazing coffee I picked up in Singapore....ahh Singapore I drift back to my third visit to that place recently ..... By now I have had the MRT map all on the tip of my fingers. Local transport there is just amazing...that I really haven't found going around Singapore ever a hassle. So well connected and easy....you could cross the road at the designated spots and no one would hassle you to move it and even cars would slow down to let you cross. Back home there are high chances of getting hit...or running across the zebra crossing before some "accelerator happy" fool jumps the signal. 

Also I wonder how I never came across even one cleaner/worker on the road cleaning the roads during peak hours or even at 8.00 am but still roads looked like though Singapore has a tie up with Santa's Elves because everything look litter free. 

As I sip my yummy coffee I can't help bursting out into a laugh...I remember how our fellow couple friends traveling with us in Singapore....despite my warning were sipping on some smoothie ( well of course Singapore has its heat) at the MRT station...there are warnings put up every where that drinking and eating in an MRT and at the station isn't allowed.....but then probably they felt we are thirsty and hell no one is watching....which is true because we could not see anyone... no security guard or a law enforcing agent at sight. The min their mouths took a sip into those yummy smoothes...poof appeared a guy from no where and politely he said sorry you can't drink this here.....just hold on to it till you leave the station. And as the two shook their heads and quietly placed back their drinks securely hidden away from sight....my husband and I were wondering how the hell did they know and from where did he come from.....and we look at numerous cameras stealthily watching us from all directions. I believe one MRT station has around 600-700 cameras can you beat that. Back home we too have security cameras....I'm sure half of them are working...which do capture laws and rules being broken...but what's missing...no one popping out  from nowhere and enforcing the rule being broken...hmm...I wonder why!!!

And so as I move onto about the the pros and cons of moving to another place....the reason well maybe this should explain it....During my last trip to Dubai...I heard my Aunt advise my overworked and underpaid, highly educated cousin sister....my aunt said and I quote " I want her to quit that job...because I have not brought up my daughter with so much love and dignity to see her struggle like this because of someone else....she deserves way more than this and that's what she should work towards and not be getting such a raw deal in life"!!

And I wonder... don't my family and I deserve the same...don't we deserve a better life with good facilities...a infrastructure that is reliable and where you don't have to lead every day saying "swalpa adjust Maadi" no I don't want to adjust...well I don't hear the government saying Oh you couldn't pay your tax it's ok we will adjust! I don't see women feeling safe when they go out...worrying every day if my daughter is safe at school... of course we are lucky that we aren't being killed or being bombed and have to flee to a foreign country. But is that what we have based our life on....on how worse things can be and that we are better off than that. 

Why can't we dream of having better facilities....just basic better facilities...is it too much to ask good roads, clean environment...effective public transportation. Better education facilities..touch law enforcement.  These are available in so many countries and so much more....

I still dunno if I can define myself as intolerant or tolerant....I am just Opinionated like many others. In the end all we have are our opinions .....which seem to help in my Moms group( thank god) but not when it comes to how life can be better in our Country!!

I think someone should have just kept a diary instead of opening up to her actor husband....

Being Deserving!!

.....Its an early day tomorrow, but as I lie in my bed sleepless at 5.00 Am wondering about.. how most of the time I  take alot of things for granted.


No! Its not even that, its about how petty some things seem to be when the fear of something worse can happen creeps into my paranoid mind.

Those arguments over..now which seem like trivial issues with my hubby.
Those plans of buying stuff or were to go this weekend.
Those insecurities I let myself feel as a wife, as a mother, as a woman.
Being at times inflexible with my parenting methods or being a bit too strict with my lil one.
Those inabilities or failures from my past.
Every single thing I usually fight over in my mind about me that isn't good enough.
Those ridiculous do s and don'ts  I subject my little one too.
All these just seem crap such a waste of this beautiful life I have been gifted. Why cant I feel like this every time? Why cant i be content and happy and satisfied with who I am.

This is not just about acceptance of who I am and what I have in my life....but beyond that, its about embracing what's given to me...with so much love. Its about being deserving of these beautiful gifts...beautiful relationships...
Every night I pray and thank this divine power for thinking I deserve this kinda happiness in my life.


Today I realised I had to add another sentence to my prayer....its promising to be that person everyday who deserves to enjoy these wonderful experiences as a Wife, Mother ...daughter..a woman etc. Respecting its value.


Everything given to me is for a reason and I need to live every day proving to myself that I deserve to keep this....and nothing else is more important than the people I love in my life and everything else in between is just white noise.

The journey of rejection, frustration and tears to HOPE!

I'm not gonna start with the usual “My life was like this….” Or “ I was so fed up…..”rants! There's no need of that now and it's all in the past so will come right to what I wanna share and it is about these 4 little Ds that helped me to get where I am with my struggle with my weight.



The Ds that took me through my toughest phase:



Decision:



Nothing can change if you can't decide to make that change and when I say decide I mean like no more procrastination…..get that ass up and get to it. Your word has to have value, by saying “ I'm gonna workout from tomorrow or say I'm going to be better with my food choices from now on” but still stick to your usual self who are you lying to ..... no one but yourself.  As I read something once


“You can change for the better only when your will to change is stronger than the your will to be average or same”.


This decision happened to me 2yrs back and the very next day I registered for a 5k marathon and everything else is history and haven't looked back from then.



Determination/ Dedication:



This all comes down to your will power. As a mother I feel at time certain feelings or emotions are heightened than before not sure if others feel it. Before I was quiet a determined person but after becoming a Mom I found these super human power of determination and dedication in areas I felt very strong about. Many a times I have failed and given in to temptation or laziness but I have always tried to jump back on track with my inner voice taunting me of the first D the decision I made to change.



Discipline:



This is something we even teach our kids, discipline in every area. Then why is it tough for us  to follow it when it comes to our health. Anything and everything in life requires discipline. Disciple is for me is not about being rigid in my choice but being practical. Making the right choices that works for you and sticking to it. But also not going over board and pushing oneself with crazy diets and skipping meals. Being honest and realistic is the need here.





Diet:



It's wasn't until recently that I realised how important one's nutrition is for your overall success of reaching your goals. I had a lipoma surgery at two places on my thigh after this I couldn't workout for two months ( HIIT was what I was doing before surgery and that was something to be avoided at all costs). I could feel the fear of putting on weight all over again creep in. But I made up my mind to beat it and took it up as a experiment to prove whether the theory that 70% of our weight loss comes from what we eat and 30% is the workout.


And I'm not kidding it really did….with just 15-20 mins walk each day…I controlled my portions, ate very sensibly. Had my cheat days too. My body is reacts more to vigorous workouts like HIIT. Walks just help to an extent but really doesn't help me lose fat which I have noticed before too. So the weight loss I did experience then was everything to do with my food. I took this new found lesson and put it into practice even after I was able to get back to my regular workouts.






Here you have my dear Ds that I swear by till date. They are so interconnected one can't work without the other. The biggest and most important I have learnt in this journey is to never give up and it can be done.


I am sharing this to who are in the state I was two years back….even if I can help anyone 1-2 %,  I will consider it great. If this gets you to start your weight loss journey from today…..wow that would be such an awesome gift that you can give yourself.



Do remember not to get carried away with the Kgs and pounds that you lose or gain. Though I lost lot of Kgs the shocking part is my body fat percentage is still not in the acceptable range. And that's what I'm working towards being healthy with a healthy BMI and body fat percentage and increasing my endurance and strength. This is a life long commitment I intend to keep. And I'm sure many of you feel the same and all the best to that….keep the faith and don't lose hope.







PS: here's a .....pic thought it may help those who need to see to believe :)

Quick Healthy Dalia Kheer

Serves: 4
Cooking time: 20-25 mins

Ingredients:
Dalia/ Broken wheat: 1 cup ( pressure cooked till soft)
Ghee: 1/5 cup or more depending on how rich you want the kheer
Milkmaid: 4 tbsp
Chopped Roasted assorted nuts: 2 tbsp ( I used cashews, walnuts, raisins)
Jaggery: 3-4 squares powdered
Sugar: 2tbsps
Milk: 500 ml

Procedure:

• Add ghee in the Kadai or a deep bottomed vessel. Let it be on low flame, Add the Dalia to this and mix and fry for few mins till a nice aroma emanates.
• Add all the milk and stir continuously so that the lumps are dissolved. ( be careful while adding the milk it may splash)
• Add the powdered jaggery and sugar. Mix well for few mins let it cook.
• Add all the milkmaid and strip well and make sure no lumps are present. 
• Check the taste to determine the sweetness of the kheer, according to that you can add more jaggery or sugar and to make it more rich you can add milkmaid as well.
• If you want the consistency to be thinner then you can add more milk.
• Once the kheer reaches the right taste and consistency add the chopped nuts. 
• You can also add cardamom powder if you like. 
• Serve hot or Warm- in case of kids! 

This as always been a winner with my daughter and anyone who comes to my place or at potlucks!

Quick, Quick make it Quick Mama!

As a mom being quick always comes handy.

Like:-

• Quick games to distract your toddler while you realise you entered the forbidden chocolate aisle in the supermarket.
• Quick ways to get her to eat that last few bites of food before you pass out after the 1 hour ordeal.
• Quick ideas on how to get your toddler out from the park/ play area before the staff lock you both inside for the night and it turns out to be your worst nightmare and your daughter's fantasy. 
• Quick strategies to get your toddler to wear clothes that you want her to wear and make it look like it was her idea.

And last but not the least and at times the most important Quick recipes for the energy sucked out Mom to make for a hungry, cranky "I want instant gratification now" 2.7 year old!

Talking about Quick Recipes stay tuned to my next post on few Quick Recipes to make for your hungry monster without breaking a sweat, a finger nail or your head.

And will share my Quick tips too related to the above , even if it helps a teeny weeny bit I will be happy I passed it on.

Mommy the Juggler!!

Mommy the "Juggler"!

In my days of working as an HR professional at a leading newspaper company, I learnt that "multitasking" was the effective way to get work done in turbo drive. Later I read an article that actually multitasking isn't a good thing....but let's take that up for some other day. 

Once I became a mom to a very sweet baby....who in the earlier days made me feel I had mastered this art of feeding and burping and napping and mashing food etc....I mean "Why do women make such a fuss about being a mom" was my thought. This was only till this sweet innocent baby became the kiddy version of Dora the explorer and decided to explore and conquer anything and everything new in her path then did I realise what was in stored for me. 

Flash forward today...my little explorer is now all of 2.6 yrs old and the exploration still continues only now it comes along with a million to zillion questions some with multiple choice if I'm lucky or on my unlucky days i will be thrown questions on my answers and it never ends.....so with all this yakkity yak...me the old multi tasker had to bring in my old skills the skills I learnt that help me deal with frustrated employees and media guys...and apply it here... of course with tweaks. And so I became Mommy the Juggler! 

And I'm getting quite good at it.....at times I can catch myself cooking a meal while keeping the groceries as I'm answering my little quiz master...it seems all so natural....Ah..we Mommies what are we made of I wonder...I'm sure we can put any professional juggler to shame. 

With great powers come great responsibilities they say (more like Spider-Man 's grandpa).....I say with a rambunctious toddler comes great juggling powers! 

To all my fellow mommies out there...happy juggling! 

A quick guide to become a Fit Mommy!

A quick guide to take that first step towards being fit!

Now don't we all want to lose weight and stay fit. And if you can achieve that without breaking a sweat won't it be the icing on the cake. But that is not going to happen.

Losing weight and keeping the weight off is definitely a challenge especially if you're a busy mom,  but its not impossible. With the right balance of diet and exercise you can always achieve your ideal weight.

1. Lets take a look on how one can lose weight through a simple excersise schedule:

-Choose the right time to workout either it's early morning or before hitting the sack, which ever suits you but stick to it.  

-The best way to lose weight is to burn more calories then what you consume ie to create a calorie deficit.  Eat in moderate and burn more by increasing your physical activities. 

-Few of the best ways to lose weight and get toned is a High intensity interval training, brisk walking and swimming.

2. A quick schedule to lose weight effectively:

-Start your morning with a 30 min brisk walk. 

-In the evening take a 45 min HIIT class or an aerobic class.

-If you have the energy go for a 15 min walk or a 30min swim before dinner. 

3.The secret of losing weight is to maintain a balance of diet and exercise:

-Plan your meals ahead so that you don't end up binging on forbidden foods.

-Eat more vegetables and add more fat burning greens like broccoli in your daily diet.  

-Consume more Fibre and nuts. 

-Fruits like blueberries and cranberries have antioxidants that help your body clean all the toxins and melt fat as well.

-Drink a lot of water and green tea.

4. Adopt a positive outlook:

- Apart from eating right and exercising you need to also keep yourself stress free.  - 

- Mediate each day for few mins.  Keep calm, take your required snoozes daily. 

- Join a yoga class to help you learn how to eliminate stress and develop a positive outlook.

Losing weight is a challenge which can be  achieved by thoughtful eating and a effective workout 5 days a week.  Also it's important to keep our mind healthy and think positively.

All the best to a healthy happy lifestyle!

Supermommy's Battle of the Bulge!!!

My ongoing battle of the bulge!!

Bulge would be the understatement of the year! My weight as always been in the vicinity of 58-60 kgs and it stayed that way with a good workout and some conscious healthy eating.

Everything was going fine until Boom! I peed on a stick and it turned out to be positive.....of course it wasn't an unplanned one, hubby and I had been planning to get pregnant and it was one of the most happiest moments in my life and to think I would feel that way standing in my loo of all places.

And so I was pregnant and ignorant to the fact that my life was gonna take a 360 degree spin....I mean I thought then its just a baby, I mean how bad can it possibly get right?.....( well now I'm typing this very sentence with a screaming attention seeking toddler who's making a mess of the entire living room). Hahaha was I in for a reality check.

Well I m gonna save that story for some other time....right now I just wanted to share my story about my weight gain and weight loss ( yes in the end I did lose some)!

So on my very first examination I remember clearly weighing 60kgs and I felt the ideal weight gain is 12 kgs and I think if I'm 72 I'm sure I can lose it at my pace post pregnancy and hey what is the big deal....I'm pregnant there's a living being growing inside me that should vouch for some extra brownies ( quite literally.... ain't those yummy).

Hence after my 3 months of severe morning sickness....I was back to actually being able to look at food and even started craving for it with vengeance. So an extra plate of chicken wings here and an extra plate of creamy pasta and pizza there.....I had bought myself a golden ticket to Fattynation.

On the day of my delivery I weighed 84kgs making it a total weight gain of 24 kgs in 9 months.  Well my baby girl was born and  weighed 3.43 kgs and every other issue or problem  just vanished and all my mommy duties started immediately. I lost weight initially but  eventually I saw myself  at 82 kgs once again. 

Life was all about breast feeding, diapers, calming a colicky baby at 3.00 am with no sleep in the last 24 hours was excruciatingly challenging and mentally  draining. Losing weight was not on the agenda at all.

I don't actually remember when I got serious about losing weight but I do remember the reason, it was for my baby girl....I felt the best gift I can give her is a healthy fit mother who can take care of her every need and not give an excuse to not be able to run outside with her or take her swimming or cycling and that's when it happened.

I took part in my first marathon the "Bengaluru Midnight marathon" after only one month of walking ( ya i could not run because of my weight my ankles would ache) practice. I ran my 1st 5 k within 50 mins and that was huge a achievement for me. And I never looked back since then. I have been running marathons ever since and completed another 2 more and also did a crazy Skyscraper dash where I ran up 830 stairs up the World Trade Center in Brigade Gateway which I did  in 11 mins. I started working out 3 times a day at this amazing place in Jayanagar, its a HIIT class and you got to believe me it works. The first few days was a huge challenge...I would curse myself for doing this but I'm glad I did.

It's  been 10 months since the day I ran my first marathon and started my workout journey....I have found a new me, a new drive, a new motivation....to be healthy to claim my body back, its not just about the numbers on the scale but I care about my endurance, a strong core and a having a good stamina and of course a healthy body weight.

And it's just the start.....

(PS: just in case you did wanna know the number.....I lost 10-11 kgs in this duration and I'm all set to push the next 10 kgs ).

If you find yourself in the same situation.....just remember you can do it....don't give up and fight for it, no one can help you but yourself.

Excuses never got anyone anywhere!!  All the best....

Do subscribe to my blog to keep you abreast in my journey towards my next 10kgs weight loss!


And how can this story be complete without a before and after collage right :) !!!!! And a pic of the certificates of my marathons till date!! 

Chocolate Pancakes shaped as a butterfly!

Hi,

Sharing a link to a recipe I wrote for babypregancycare.com, it's an awesome recipe to try out for your kid.

Have fun cooking! And let me know how it comes out and what the lil food critic says about it.

http://www.babypregnancycare.com/chocolate-pancakes-kidstoddlers-recipe/

Re-invent yourself mommy!!

'A loose fitting pant or leggings teamed up with an even horrendous top that seen worse days of motherhood and hair tied up in a dead ponytail or a lifeless bun' ...does this ring any bells fellow mommy.

It did for me, up until recently I decided to get my ass of this style rut and get this mommy into the land of the living fashionistas ( read celebrity mommies).

Time is the elusive one for any mommy...if given more time a supermommy can accomplish so much and more, but we are unfortunately gifted only 24 hours in a day...so apart from the regular chores running after rambunctious toddlers and trying to maintain some amount of sanity its a herculean task to even think of spending time on oneself to look good.

Through my experience I learnt that it is possible ( hell yeah it is- when you can find a way to get a screaming sleepy  toddler strapped into a car seat anything is) if one puts their mind to it and keep in mind these essentials. 

1. Pack up those maternity clothes-

I know they are super comfy and you would sleep in them if no one objected but you ain't fooling anyone with those ill fitted clothes, give them away or just pack them away till you are crazy enough to have another kid

2. Flab to fit

With the mommy clothes out, its now time to deal with the real issues. Many mommies go thru a lot of weight issues and with that extra flab its tough to fit into anything, well enough said try to get some amount of actual exercise or workout into your day at least 3 days a week, this will definitely help in keeping extra piles finding its way onto your hips and also help you burn the existing ones.

3. Fake it till you make it-

Obviously you are not gonna lose kilos overnight but you can still get your body to look slimmer by faking it.  The greatest gift to womanhood (ie after Robert Downey Jr, Bradley Cooper , Ryan Gosling.... list is endless) is Shape wear. Investing in good lingerie and shape wear can give your dwindling self esteem a huge boost, a push up bra and a high waist panty can add tons to you confidence.

4. Shop intelligently-

Pick essential items that suit your body type also keeping in mind functionality remember you have that toddler at tow all the time...so I would stay away from the low rise jeans or deep necks. Give importance to the fit, If organised ahead in time then chances of you getting out of the door like a battle worn solider will be less. You can
always make a list of ensembles for different occasions and stick that up inside your
cupboard that will help you during crunch time.

5. Accessories Accessories Accessories-

Nothing like a simple statement necklace or nice sandals to compliment your look. You don't need to go all out but buy them in colours that will go with most of your outfits...ex nude colors. Ditch that diaper bag for a much stylish tote or even a bag pack that's made its come back

6. Less is the new more-

For a mommy pressed with time applying makeup doesn't make it on the to do list, but with some clever thinking one can look like a million bucks. Nothing does it better than a foundation & loose powder to get that even tone a generous amount of kajal some lil gloss or lip balm and voila your good to go.

7. Relaxed mommy= Happy Mommy -

Not everyone is lucky to hit the spa but if you can then please do, from body massage to facials and head massages can take away loads from a stressed out body physically and mentally.

8.  Snooze time-

Sleep like time would top any mother's wish list but it being fulfilled is like scoring a 100 on a literature paper. But try to get your daily dose of    cat naps which helps the brain and body to relax and reenergised.

9. Cut the negativity-

End of the day you're a healthy mother of a healthy baby, be happy and think positive. Being a mother is highly stressful give a pat on you're back for getting through it everyday!! 

A mommy's take on Maybelline's new glitter mania nail lacquer!!!!!

Hi,

Let me be honest I love make-up, So what if your a mommy...you still have a life!! Even if you aren't going anywhere outside these boring 4 walls and your toddler is trying to get the worse outta you.....relax deep breaths distract your kiddo with anything that will get you a couple of minutes "ME" time (my strategy was a nursery rhyme DVD...the minute that cd went into place...the screaming stopped and the singing began :) )

And that's how I got myself to try this out and here goes my take on Maybelline color show glitter mania nail polish in starry nights.

Now who isn't crazy about glitter nail polishes, there is something in it that just lightens up any outfit.

Since I am always busy and find it hard to get out of home to so my shopping with my restless kiddo, I kinda do most of my makeup shopping online, at least those items I regularly use. Last week Nykaa.com had an awesome sale and this Maybelline nail polish was a part of my makeup haul. I am crazy about black and obviously picked up the Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania Nail Lacquer 603
Let’s get down to the details -

Product description

It is your usual round stout Maybelline nail polish bottle only the labelling is a bit different There is nothing much on the bottle except for the label Maybelline color show glitter mania and the ingredients details.
But on their website this is what you'll find -
'Color Show Glitter Mania range is every nail-art lover's dream! When applied, these sparkling nail colors deliver a 3D shimmering effect, adding oodles of style to your tips. They also have a unique sand-textured effect that looks and feels great on your nails. With 8 glittering nail color shades to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect shade for every mood'.

They also claim it to be-
Easy to apply
Flat brush
Glossy finish
Chip resistant
Runway inspired colors
Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer would be a great addition to your make up kit. The bold, glittery colors and the creamy texture would make it an instant hit.

Price
For a 6ml bottle it is competitively priced at Rs 125 ( but I got it for lesser remember the discount on Nykaa.com)

My experience with Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania Nail Lacquer 603

    Maybelline Glitter nail polish applied over plain black nail polish

                                          
As soon as you take a look at the glitter polish inside it will make you go weak in your knees. Maybelline never ceases to impress me, the first coat looked a bit dull but then second coat down voila! It looked really good. The consistency is slightly thick but it glides well on to the nails.
The glitter as they quoted does give a 3D effect and has a sand texture to it. On my other hand I experiment it over Maybelline color show blackout 220, this look absolutely gorgeous. It really works well as a top glitter coat also.
I'm sure fellow mommies know what goes on our daily routine, from cooking to endless tasks centered around your lil one its obvious that with these Herculean tasks to do, our nail polishes won't last for long. But that wasn't the case here; if you apply a top coat then the glitter polish stays on for days and is indeed chip resistant.

Pros of  Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania Nail Lacquer 603

True to their claim it does have an amazing 3D look of the glitter once applied
Pricing is fair
8 to die for shades
Chip resistant and stays on almost a week when worn over a plain colour and a top coat.

Cons of Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania Nail Lacquer 603

If you don't like you polish rough than the sand texture may not go well with your taste.
Not that glossy as they say it to be
It loses its sparkle after a few hours and tends to look a bit dull especially if worn without a top coat.
Be ready to use up a lot of nail polish remover to get off your nails, also it doesn't wipe off that easily, you will need a strong nail polish remover. 

Would recommend or buy again?

Yes, I will definitely buy it and the other 7 shades as well. It's a must have.

Mommy's Rating

4/5