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QUARANTINE TIME (INDIAN) MEAL PLANNING FOR A WEEK

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

We all have been pretty much locked inside our houses for the last few days. It is indeed the safest place right now; we must understand that. It is for our own good, and of course, for the greater good. So, giddy-up, everyone…

In this chaos, as a home manager, I have been struggling a lot to arrange healthy foods for my family. Though right now, many online services are available to many of us, ordering from them and getting the things we want right on time, is a ginormous task. Most of the time, the delivery slots are not available, and when it is, the things we want are gone, poof!!!

Anyway, I have been activating some extra intelligence in my head to get the best out this situation. 😈 And the first thing I have done is to note down a 7- day meal planning. This has helped me in buying the exact things I want and also saved me big time not to hoard things.

Most of us Indians are not used to a One-pot meal concept, at least I am that person. So, meal planning is hard right now for me because many things are out of my reach. Still, I have given some thoughts, and this is what I have come up with.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

I am gonna cover three main meals for the day. Remember, this is a typical Indian meal planning, so things may vary according to your choice. Not only this time, but you can include these meals in your daily diet throughout the year. Bear with me and get some inspiration if you like to.

Here we go...

Monday:

Breakfast: Poha (Flattened Rice)

Lunch: Palak Paneer (Spinach with Cottage Cheese in a Curry), if it's available/ Malai Paneer (Cottage Cheese in Creamy gravy) and Roti/Rice (Indian Flat Bread/ Rice)

You can make fresh cream at home with the help of milk which is widely available.

Dinner: Rajma Chawal (Kidney Beans Curry and Rice)

Based on your preferences, you can switch between Roti and Rice.

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Upma (made from Suji or Semolina)

Lunch: Fish Curry and rice (for Non-vegetarian people) or Soya Curry (for Vegetarian people)

Dinner: Chole Chawal (Garbanzo Beans Curry) and Rice/ Roti

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Masala Dosa (a batter mixture of rice and lentil that you can make at home, it is also available in ready-made package when you have less time)

Lunch: When you make Dosa batter, make some extra and have it in lunch as Uttapam (a crepe-like dish made with the same batter as Dosa/ Idli) with various vegetables. This will also save some time.

Dinner: Chicken Curry with Roti/ Rice (non-veg option) or Paneer Bhurji / Paneer Butter Masala (veg option)

Thursday:

Breakfast: Idli (pretty much same batter as we use in making Dosa, you can use the previous day batter), (can be prepared at home or can use ready-made package)

Lunch: Chana Masala (Brown or Green colored Chickpeas Curry) with Rice/ Roti

Dinner: Egg Curry with Rice /Roti (non-veg option) or Dum Aloo (Potato in thick gravy, veg option)

Friday:

Breakfast: Bread Toast with Egg Omelette/ Sandwich

Lunch: Mix Dal (Mix of different Lentils) with Roti/ Rice or Lauki (Bottle gourd) dal or Palak (Spinach Leaves) dal or Methi (Fenugreek Leaves) dal

Dinner: Paneer Masala/ Kadai Paneer (Cottage Cheese Curry) with Roti/Rice

Saturday:

Breakfast: Oats/ Granola/ Muesli Bowl with Fruits and Nuts

Lunch: Vegetable Khichdi (an Indian dish made with Rice and Lentils). You can add available vegetables from your pantry.

Dinner: Chicken Stu with Bread/ Roti (non-veg option) or Vegetable Stu (veg option)

Sunday:

Breakfast: Heavy-duty Smoothie with various fruits/ Green Juice

Lunch: Multigrain Chila (a crepe-like dish made with different flours like wheat, Chickpeas, Oats, etc. with some added vegetables)

Dinner: Vegetable Pulao (Pilaf)/ Chicken or Egg Fried Rice with Raita (a side dish made with Curd)

If it is not possible to buy packaged Paneer right now, you can make Paneer or Chenna at home with only two ingredients- Milk and Lemon Juice/ Vinegar.

You can have nuts, fruits, salads, curd, buttermilk, etc. as per your choice. They are good for your health. So, have them in proportion if it is possible.

I know, for many people, getting all these things are beyond their capacity right now. My heart feels for them. As a family, we try our best to do something to help them in this situation.

Please mind that my sole intention is to give some ideas so that you can prioritize things to your choice and capability.

A small disclaimer: I am in no way an expert. So, choose your food according to your current health condition. Seek advice from a health expert if you are allergic to something or trying something new.

Hopefully, this can give you an intimation of what to buy and what not for an entire week. You can also prepare some extra food and store them in the fridge to have it in the next day. I have mostly included non perishable food items for majority of the meals. This meal planning includes the necessary amount of Protein, Vitamin, Minerals, and fiber for an adult. Of course, you can alter things that suits you the best.

Stay Healthy…

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Boost Your Immunity

THINGS I HAVE BEEN DOING TO BOOST MY IMMUNITY

Friday, March 27, 2020

Amid this very recent virus scare, our lives have almost come to a standstill. Cities are locked down; people are inside their homes trying their best to protect themselves. We are desperately waiting to get over this nightmare like reality. The way things are right now, it is our sole responsibility to stay calm, be at home under protection even if we are inside this storm. Plan well for the upcoming days but do not get paranoid.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

If we think of the virus day and night, we won't be able to function correctly. So, to protect your mental health, divert your mind by doing something constructive that you love to do. Spend time with your loved ones, do your household chores happily because ultimately what you are doing is the best thing for your family. Maintain 'social distancing' because that will help us to get through this uninvited phase of our lives.

We all know that, if we have an excellent immune system, our body will always be ready to fight back in unwanted situations. For that, I have been implementing a few this and that to improve my family’s overall health. (See disclaimer at the bottom of the post)

Our family has been following a strict but healthy diet, where we are trying to add a few things to boost our immune systems. For example, we are taking enough Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and helps to protect cells from damage. We are also taking Garlic cloves regularly which have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties along with several other health benefits. We have included various Nuts in our daily diet as they are packed in fiber, protein, good fat, vitamins, and minerals. Except a few mild changes, we have been incorporating these foods since a long time.

In this current situation, having fresh vegetables every day is kind of difficult. We are including different kinds of lentils, legumes in our diet.

I am also making an herbal tea every day that my Mum used to make in my childhood days, especially when I used to suffer from cold and cough. I am sharing the recipe below. These herbs can make your internal health stronger, keep you invigorated throughout the day to function better.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

Herbal Tea Recipe:

Ingredients are listed for 2 persons:

Two cups of water
1-inch Raw Turmeric/ ½ tsp Turmeric Powder (rich in anti-inflammatory properties and full of antioxidants)
1-inch Ginger (helps in digestion, eases common cold and flu)
¼ tsp Black Pepper (known for its anti-inflammatory properties and it is high in antioxidants)
2 teaspoon Jaggery (aids in digestion, builds up resistance against infections) or 1 tbsp Honey (known for its antibacterial properties)
Basil leaves (has anti-inflammatory properties)

Method:

Crush all the herbs in a motor pastel. Boil water in a saucepan and put all the herbs in that. Let it simmer for 5 minutes at a low temperature. Switch off the flame. Add jaggery or honey and strain the drink. Your Herbal Tea is ready.

These ingredients have antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antibiotic properties. They can make you stronger, healthier from inside.

But remember, boosting your immune system is not a one-day task. It's a lifetime process. Quit alcohol and smoking if you can. You gotta Exercise regularly, Meditate , eat healthy foods that include green vegetables & fruits, maintain a balanced and less stressful lifestyle to make it work.

Try these tips. I am sure they will help you a lot.

Disclaimer:

I am not a medical expert. These tips given here are based on my personal experiences that I have been following for long time. They neither provide any specific guarantee nor claim any magical benefits. Use everything under proper guidance and supervision from your health expert. Use with caution as one may be allergic to some ingredients.

Take care, everyone,

Cheers!!!

Happy living…

#Quarantine Essentials

BASIC ESSENTIALS YOU NEED DURING A QUARANTINE PERIOD

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

COVID-19 has been ruling the world from the past few months. Right now, things are getting into the unruly mode. People's life is going haywire as we are struggling big time to stop the contamination. As cities are eventually going into lockdown, panic is full-on. Everybody is pretty much in self- quarantine zone in their homes. Minds are acting crazy; many are fighting for things where others are fighting for their lives. Basic necessities are selling out in a jiffy, Masks are gone, Hand Sanitizers are vanished. People are accumulating many things in piles without thinking about the others.

Do we need to hoard the essentials insanely?

The answer is NO. We don’t need to hoard things like crazy. We need to plan well and stock up the essentials so that life can go on in this crucial moment.

If anyone is reading this Blog Post, please share with others that we all need to calm ourselves down. Everybody needs to go on with their lives but with extreme caution. So, the basic necessities should be available to everyone.

I am sharing a few ideas below, which I have been following during this period. I am also providing a list of food items that I have been stocking up as per the availability and my eating habit.

Hope this will help you to decide on the list of things you need carefully and pragmatically.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

Remember to buy:

Food items:

Stock up the non-perishable food items. Lentils, dry fruits, biscuits, tea, sugar, salt, oil, rice, flours, milk tetra packets, canned foods will come really handy, They can last for months without going wasted. You can also buy a bunch of chocolates and energy bars as they come handy in times of emergency.

Medicines:

Basic medicines are always mandatory to keep at home. Medicines for normal fever, cold, cough, stomach upsets, nausea, digestive reliefs, etc., are essential to keep at bay. Regular paracetamol tablet also doubles up as a pain reliever. You can keep antiseptic liquid, band-aids, cotton rolls, and bandages in your first aid kit. If you are under daily medication for any specific disease, remember to stock for that too.

Please follow the proper regulations and directives in case you have symptoms similar to COVID-19. Do not hide your symptoms. In case of any doubt, immediately call your nearest health care for COVID-19 and self quarantine yourself.

Hygiene Essentials:

Bathing soap, shampoos, daily used creams, etc. are some things that are always present in our bathroom. But it is time to keep some disinfectant liquid at your disposal. Household cleaners, antiseptic liquids, hand washes, sanitizers, antiseptic soaps, toilet paper rolls, sanitary napkins, diapers for babies are some essential items to buy.

If you can’t find sanitizers in the market, do not panic. You can make your own hand sanitizer at home with two things only.

How to Make Hand Sanitizer at Home:

You can use Isopropyl Alcohol/ Rubbing alcohol and Aloe Vera gel to make your own hand sanitizer.
Fill a bottle with at least 60% of alcohol and rest with Aloe Vera gel, and you are good to go.
These two things are enough to use as a sanitizer. But you can also add few drops of Vitamin E Oil to increase the shelf life. Along with that, a few drops of tea tree essential oil or lemon oil can also be added to make it smell good.

Remember, you are gonna need a sanitizing agent only when soap and water are not available near you.

Your daily life will not stop despite this emergency situation. So, make proper use of your time if you are feeling physically fit.

Exercise daily
Meditate and stay stress-free as much as you can
Sleep well
Watch your favorite show and Relax your mind
Be strong both physically and emotionally
Stay Hydrated and Eat healthy to boost your immunity
Do not gather in a group anywhere even if it is your own residential area
Stay indoors and engage your kids in various creative activities at home
Protect yourself and protect others.
Do not panic but please take necessary precautions.
If you feel sick, call the nearest health care facilities who will take proper care of you and your family.

Disclaimer:

I am neither an expert nor a medical adviser. This post has been made based on my experiences on life in an attempt to help others.

Take care of yourselves, everyone.

Things will get better soon, definitely.

Cheers to that!!!

Happy living…

#Best Hair Brush

TANGLE TEEZER VS WET BRUSH REVIEW

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Around 5 years back, I have written a post about the famous hairbrush called Tangle Teezer. When it got introduced in the market, minds were blown, and many hair worries had gone in the wind. It was and still is an excellent hairbrush.

Until very recently, I haven't looked at any other hairbrush except my trusty Tangle Teezer. I have fine, flat, very oily hair. It is prone to breakage naturally. Suddenly, for the past few months, I have been facing some issues which haven’t been existed before. I've developed extra sensitive scalp, which hurts if my hair gets pulled off a little. I have a terrible habit of combing my hair when it is wet. And for that reason, I face extra hair fall. I’ve switched shampoos, hair oils. Nothing has changed. And finally, it came to me what if I needed to use something else for my wet hair. After detailed research as always, I've found one hairbrush, which is just ideal for all my hair woes. This hairbrush is called Wet Brush- it is the best for fine hair, sensitive scalp, and extremely tangled wet hair.

I have written a detailed post about the Tangle Teezer. Head over here to take a look.

As we are discussing the Wet Brush for the first time, first let’s look at the Key Features of Wet Brush:

This promises to give pain-free detangling for wet hair
The bristles are finer than other hair brushes
This brush effortlessly glides through the hair without any tugging or tangling

Both Tangle Teezer and Wet Brush are designed to use either on wet or dry hair. But after using them for a dedicated amount of time, I’ve come across a few points that make both the brushes unique yet different in their own stands. Let’s find out what they are.

Tangle Teezer vs. Wet Brush

1. Tangle Teezer is fabulous when you are combing your dry hair. Its two-tiered teeth system technology, which is a combination of long & short bristles, helps to grip your hair very comfortably. Whereas Wet Brush is fantastic to use when you have wet hair, and you need to comb it right away (like me 😉). As your hair is prone to breakage more when it is wet, the soft Intelliflex ball-tipped bristles help a lot to glide through the hair smoothly without putting any stress on your manes.

2. If you have a sensitive scalp, then Wet brush is your friend for life. As my experience goes, the Intelliflex bristles of the Wet Brush are more soothing than Tangle Teezer. My Wet Brush is a paddle detangler. It has HeatFlex bristles. And it too is very comfortable for daily use. In my experience, people with sensitive scalp may feel a pulling sensation while using Tangle Teezer.

3. If you have thick hair or curly hair, I think Tangle Teezer is your thing. Its long-short combination of bristles is sustainable enough to hold and glide through your hair at the same time. The award-winning design features longer teeth for detangling while the shorter teeth do the smoothening of the hair cuticle. The hair would be shiny without any trace of any knot.

However, if you have fine, straight, tangled hair, the soft bristles of the Wet brush would be extremely comfortable for you. As this hair type is prone to breakage most of the time, the bristles are gonna be more helpful in controlling your hair.

4. Tangle Teezer is really sleek in design. Therefore, some may find it extremely comfortable to hold while brushing. It fits right in your palm. But this brush is not suitable for blow-drying your hair.

Wet Brush comes with a traditional brush handle, which also provides a good grip. Whether you are using the regular hairbrush or the paddle brush, it is really great to use while blow-drying your hair. Wet Brush paddle Detangler comes with HeatFlex Bristles which are heat resistant. Its AquaVent design is made for an easy cleanup. It holds your hair just perfectly while you style your hair.

5. Tangle Teezer is the best hairbrush to use for on the go purpose. Because of its sleek design, it is very easy to carry on your handbag than the traditional shape of Wet Brush.

After using both the brushes, my vote goes for the Wet Brush as it suits my hair type just perfectly. It’s also a great tool for brushing through conditioning treatments and hair masks.

I hope you can decide better according to your hair types after going through this post.

Let me know what’s your take.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Turmeric Powder For Skincare

MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO USE TURMERIC POWDER IN YOUR SKINCARE

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Turmeric powder, aka The Miracle Spice, is a staple ingredient in the Middle East and Southeast Asian cuisine. No Indian kitchen can run without this vibrant golden orange-colored spice. Its distinct pepper-like taste and pungent rustic flavor delight the hearts of food lovers.

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It is used as an effective disinfectant since the ancient ages of Ayurveda. When consumed internally, it can do wonders for your health.

But today, I am not going to be sharing about its health benefits. That is for another day. I am going to tell you my wonderous experiences with this herb in my Skincare. I have been using turmeric since my childhood days. And it is an integral part of my Skincare.

I like to incorporate turmeric to tackle various types of skin worries. So far, it has stood out in all the fields and proved its power. As it stains the skin with its pungent color, it is not possible to mingle it with any moisturizing agent. But if you use it in your homemade face packs, it will do miracle for your skin. You just need to keep it on your face for a half-hour, and voila! You are done! Your skin absorbs all the goodness from the extract and performs its best.

So, let’s begin how to use turmeric for different skin issues.

1. Anti-Acne Face Pack

If you are suffering from pimples, acne, or heat rashes, this face pack is going to do wonders for your skin.

To make this face pack, you need,

Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) paste or powder 1 tbsp
Turmeric paste or powder 1 tsp
Pinch of clove powder
Organic Honey 1 tsp
Rosewater to make a smooth paste

Mix all the ingredients and keep it on your face for 20-30 mins until it gets dried off completely. Wash your face and apply your favorite moisturizer. You can use this twice a week.

2. Anti-tanning Face and Body Pack

During the Summers, your skin tans a lot. When you travel to a tropical place or spend time on a beach, again, your skin gets tanned or burned.

This pack helps your skin cool down and helps to remove the tan very easily. You can use this on your face and also on the entire body, whichever part is exposed to the sun. Accordingly, you can double up the measurement.

For this you need,

Chickpea flour 1 tbsp
Curd 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Organic Honey 1 tsp
Lemon Juice 1 tsp
Rosewater to make a paste

If you have sensitive skin, you can skip the lemon juice, and add only rose water. Allow this mixture to sit on your skin for 20 minutes and gently rub it to get it off. The scrubbing will help to get rid of the dead skin cells and tanning smoothly.

3. Hydrating Face Pack

For this you need,

Aloe vera juice or gel 1 tbsp
Organic Honey 1 tsp
Turmeric powder half a teaspoon
Rosewater to mix

If your skin is dehydrated, this pack will help you deal with the dryness. You can use it twice a week.

4. Scar Removal Face Pack

Acne, pimples sometimes leave a harsh scar. If you take care of your skin, it will lighten and go away eventually. This following face pack helps a lot in this process.

You need,

Raw cow milk 1-2 tbsp
Sandalwood Powder 1 tsp
Organic Honey ½ tsp
Turmeric Powder ½ tsp

5. Bridal Care Face and Body Pack/ Ubtan

Well, brides need a special glow for their most special day. In India, pre-bridal Ubtan (a homemade powdered mix of Ayurvedic herbs and natural ingredients) is famous for taking out the best of that inner glow of the skin. Everybody has their unique recipe, which is passed on through generations. I am giving the method I follow and have learned from my mother.

Just double the amount if you need extra.

You are going to need,

Oatmeal powder 1 tbsp
Almond powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Sandalwood powder 1 tsp
Rosewater to make a smooth paste

Of course, you can use this even if you are not getting married today 😉. Your groom can use it too to look his best. This mixture will bring back the glow on your face for any special event.

6. Oil Controlling Face Pack

Oil dripping from your face, not an issue!

All you need is this,

Curd 1 tbsp
Sandalwood powder 1 tsp
Fuller's earth/ Multani Mitti 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Rosewater to make a smooth paste

If you can grind fresh raw turmeric, make a paste and use on your skin, it would be awesome. You can even dry it on the sunlight, make a powder, and store it in an airtight container. But let’s be frank here, this process can be time consuming and almost impossible to achieve regularly given the busy schedule of our lives.

I will suggest using Organic, Natural Turmeric Powder for your Skincare. Turmeric powder used in cooking is not recommended at all. But there are some products which can be used both in cooking and skincare.

I have been using Seeds and Hands Turmeric Powder for a long time. It suits my skin amazingly. They also have Wild Turmeric Powder and White Wild Turmeric Powder, specifically for Skincare. It is an authentic Indian wild turmeric powder. Their wild turmeric roots are sourced directly from Wayanad, Kerala. Their organic, handpicked spices consist of pure grounded turmeric roots, without mixing any other material, free from any artificial color, flavor and are GMO-free.

If you are interested in buying this, you can check out the links below.

Seeds and HandsTurmeric Powder

Seeds and Hands Wild Turmeric Powder

Seeds and Hands White Wild Turmeric Powder

Do remember to take a patch test before using anything new.

I hope this post helps to solve your skin worries.

Let me know how you feel.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

QUARANTINE TIME (INDIAN) MEAL PLANNING FOR A WEEK

THINGS I HAVE BEEN DOING TO BOOST MY IMMUNITY

BASIC ESSENTIALS YOU NEED DURING A QUARANTINE PERIOD

TANGLE TEEZER VS WET BRUSH REVIEW

MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO USE TURMERIC POWDER IN YOUR SKINCARE

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