Get Healthy

If you are like me who wakes up late to work and skip breakfast every day, then this post is for you. Bad food habits like skipping morning breakfast, eating heavy outside food in the lunch, junk foods in the evening and a late non-vegetarian dinner changed my healthy body to an unhealthy one. 

I started facing severe health concerns like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, weight gain and thyroid problems. The doctor said all this was a welcome from unhealthy lifestyle. Doctor suggested me to change my lifestyle and see the differences with some medicines to support for time being. I was totally devasted and could not face my parents back at native who keeps calling me to come back home as I am not taking good care of myself in the city. 

Being a software engineer, my life demanded to run fast others to succeed. My life was not balanced completely. I had to compromise on sleep and health to get success on my projects. Being from a small town where I used to be treated like a king of the house to work in a city with no relatives and good care was very difficult. 

I stayed in a hostel with few colleagues, we used to come late from work and the mess would be closed, so end up having briyani or kushka or parotta from small road side shops. In the morning, by the time we wake up the mess would be half closed or we won't have the time to eat as the cab would arrive. For lunch we have a delicious big meal to satisfy our taste and hunger for the entire day. Could I change this lifestyle? Could I make easy and healthy nutritious breakfast for myself? 

I found the answer which changed my lifestyle energetic, nutritious and filled with flavour. The answer was near me all these days but I failed to notice. One of our cab mate "Shakshi" would bring many snacks box to keep her full and healthy all day at office. I have seen guys teasing her, but she never cared and possessed a great body. I was curious to find what she was eating on the way to office. I switched seats with a friend and started talking with her. I quickly learned she is no different from me. She gets up very late too and runs for the cab from home. So her mom made sure she eats healthy and packs her these small boxes. 

I felt jealous of her while she shared some Apple Cornflakes Pancake made from Kellogg's. It was so delicious that I wanted to finish her whole box but preferred to stay calm. I told her how lucky she was to have all these delicious meals and that its difficult to prepare such recipes by myself. She started laughing and told all the yummy snacks she brings are made from Kellogg's and how easy peasy they are to prepare. 

She spoke more about her breakfast feast on Sundays where her mother Gupt ji would prepare black forest shake, chapatti cornflakes chivda, cornflake and veg kosmiri, Cornflake sesame dumplings and more. I started drooling already and was joyed when Shakshi invited me for breakfast the coming Sunday. 

I shouted in joy inside, "I definitely want to go to their house for nashta". The reason being they are very healthy, easy alternative to time-consuming breakfast preparations, very nutritious and loaded with lots of fiber and vitamins. 

Thanks to Sakshi and Guptaji's delicious nashta which gave me more innovative ideas to have breakfasts which can be prepared in no minutes, this changed my lifestyle to a healthy one!!!

Make sure you watch their lovely ad

Are you ready to start eating healthy?

Happiness

People say money can't buy happiness. I agree with them, money can never buy happiness as happiness is free. Then why should we spend on it and earn more to buy it? 

For some, happiness is buying a new home in the beach area or owning the latest car or going on an international travel trip or getting a MacBook air. But I would say, happiness is in simple things of life. 

Every person happiness quotient is different but it is in our mind to fine tune our life and live happily. What seems great for one will definitely not be great for other but we must learn and live with the happiness offered from small things and people around us. 

The simple things of my life which keeps me happy are

• Swimming in the sea with my friends around sunset. 
• When my family or friends surprises me with a bunch of flowers or chocolates while visiting me. 
• While taking my dog for walking in the park where it would bark at other dogs and try to play. I would have to hold him tight and pull him home. 
• Playing indoor games like carom, cards, or dice games with my siblings. The added benefit of staying indoor on weekends is when mom makes fresh popcorns, bajji's or vada's for snacks. 
• Family get together when we cook for the entire big family, each and everyone would help to make different dishes from cutting to serving it. Then we would play music, play cards and later end up dancing. 
• Getting a good bargain price for the things I buy makes up my entire day.
• Waking up very late on weekends and realising that I can still sleep more. 
• Listening to good music in the car.
• Pillow fights with my little brother. 
• Watching rain through the window and cooking maggi noodles at home. Eating noodles in the balcony with a candlelight while watching heavy rain. 
• Playing with siblings or friends while raining heavily in the terrace. In case the rain stops before we get tired, we would splash water on each other suing water tubes and play. 
• Sharing lunch boxes with friends and would be very happy when I find my favourite food in my friend's lunch box. We would exchange each others boxes. 
• Playing Peek a Boo with babies and hearing their cute sounds or giggles. 
• Bathing and dressing a baby. I know it's not easy, as they behave very cranky at times, but I love to dress them up in matching or contrasting colours. Make them wear matching accessories to their dress. 
• Riding bicycle in highways for long continuous hours with close friends. 
• Winning challenges with friends. 
• Walking barefooted in the beach sand as sea water comes and goes.
• Singing and dancing while taking bath under shower. 
• While watching first-day first show movies of my favourite hero.
• Taking about the old times with my close friends. 
• Reading a good novel in the night. 
• Fitting into old clothes after losing weight. 
• When my baked cakes and cookies are liked by everyone and it gets finished soon. 

I know, everyone list of happiness is different, I hope you enjoyed my little happiness. I hope these few points of mine, I have convinced you that happiness is free and affordable by anyone!!!

Now, stop giving excuses and start seeing happiness in small things around you!!!!

Visit Coca-Cola. 

Make sure to watch their interesting ad

Have a happy day!!!

Forever Friends #together

In college, I was nicknamed as "Captian Cool" and my best friend Sharanya was nicknamed as "College Beauty". We were not just best friends, but batch mate, bench mate, classmate, roommate and bus mate. The list goes on as we were destined to be paired in every event that happened. Not just these situations which made us the "Forever Friends" but the innate love we shared for each other. 

At first, any girl in college would be jealous of  her flawless and spotless skinny skin beauty. The first few days we were around together, I saw her drinking only water when we have oily stuffs. No wonder the waters keep her fresh and flawless. Slowly, as we were paired up many times, I came to know her more personally and started admiring her. The bonding started to grow fast and thick. 

The attraction we had for each other grew as days passed and we then were the Best Buddies. She would say, she admires my inner strength, confidence and smartness, but I was never flattered. But I knew deep inside, how she truly valued each of my opinion and the importance she gave. We felt like two blessed souls to have each other. Our network of friends started growing jealous on our friendship as we excelled and shined in every activity in college.  

Source

Senior year in college was coming to an end and we knew how far each other has to go for our next phase of life. We shared different passions and interests in spite of being together all the time. Back in our mind, we were feeling low and depressed thinking about our separation but was confident we would be in touch and could meet sometime soon. The day finally arrived when we had to depart. 

Deep inside we both new, distances could never separate us and was optimistic about our friendship. But the reality had something different for us. Things changed when her marriage was arranged suddenly and she had to leave with her husband to London. She planned to do her MS in London so the chances of travelling back to India or spending some time over a phone call was feasible. I, "The Captian Cool" choose to work a foreign company which was a great offer one would never give up. 

Could you still think our lives would be the same when we were living in two different time zones with a busy life filled with commitments and responsibilities?

Lives got better, new place, new friends, new entertainments, and fun changed the days when we missed each other while eating or taking a decision or when buying a new dress or when deciding where to eat dinner. We never knew what we had been missing until we faced some extreme unfortunate situations. Life's toughest time remembered the missing shoulder to cry, the one who give me the strength to stay hopeful, change my outlook positively and be my side to support always. 

Eight years passed with few calls during festivals, "Hey How you been doing?" " How's your kid?".

The most memorable day was when I received the call from our "College Beauty" shouting happily that they would be settling down in India soon. And the most memorable moment was when we met each other. 

Shouted in joy and we hugged each other. I even started crying like a mom when she sees her child for the first time. Years made us stronger, grow older and wiser but our friendship for each other was the same. 

The confidence and the strength we got in being there for each other is enormous and unmeasurable. The hope of being Forever Friends in spite of the journey we travel gave me the feeling of togetherness always.

Togetherness gives you an optimistic approach towards life to conquer and win all endeavours.

Yes, this is the power of being #together!!!!

Look Up and Enjoy the love!!!

#StartANewLife with your bold move

Sometimes when people say and quote status's like Life is fun or Life is blessed I wonder in what state my life is to. I am not jealous about their happy life but questioning about the hurdles life has laid on my way. 

Born in a big family with 6 siblings and then graduated with difficulty in short of finances. Married at n very young age of 17 and a mother of 2 children. I knew what I really wanted but do I have the support that I want in my life? 

Hurdles are there in everyone life but bringing the change in our own life is always difficult. I had to take my kids to school daily and then have to pick them up also. I had to manage the family by cooking, cleaning, and taking care of everyone need. Where do I have the time for myself? 

I never had the time to cook and eat my favourite food in spite of cooking food for entire family, never had time to go pamper myself in a beauty parlour and so on. My husband was understanding but even he could not help me in my daily chores or take us for a holiday. 

I thought deeply on who could help me have a life of my own. The answer to it was very simple but complicated. The one and only person who could help in my life is myself. I had to correct the path I wanted to walk in my life. I had to change and suit my life according to the way I always wanted. 

I wanted to take the bold step of giving my life a life!!! I spoke clearly to my family how I wanted to do my masters so as to have a strong career. My family was very convinced. It was a bold move to go study in a college with two school going kids at home. Either his family or my family was there to support us. Initially it was a bit scary to be through all the daily chores at home, teach the kids school work, and study my subjects. 

But as life moved on, everything became much easier. I was managing everything so happily with lots of energy and enthusiasm. The entire family was uplifted and had great spirits. Within two years, I passed with distinction and a job in hand. My bold move not only gave me the chance to study and pass with flyi9ng colours but also a high profile job which I always dreamt off. 

The job well suited my family and my kids school timing. We also relocated to a nearby place to my office. Found new school for kids which they liked very much. My husband had to travel bit far but we managed to buy a second-hand car for his commute. With income from two in a family we were slowly able to fulfil our family's basic needs. 

My bold move to breakout from the shell of family and being an women, changed our lives completely. My new life gave my entire family happiness and success.

Look ahead and  #StartANewLife.

Our Little One

In the early months after birth, I would keep talking to my little one Ria. She would keep listening as if she understands what I am talking to her. Actions and our love conveyed more than words. 

Around 4 to 5 months, she started getting more interest in objects and toys than faces. This started as she started to use her hands better, so she became fascinated by grasping objects and hitting things, she started exploring the little world around her. Sometimes it was very difficult to get her attention when she plays with her toys. 

As we celebrated her first birthday, Ria was very naughty and a hyperactive kid. I felt as if my life was endless running behind her. She would pull down anything on her way, would grab anything and try to eat it and so on. Apart from all this Ria had her own happy moments which she just loves. 

Few of the happy moments which makes Ria joyous are

Jumping to few TV commercial ad's

Music makes Ria run around. She loves few TV commercial ad music, she would come running to the tv from where ever she was playing. She jumps to the music and shakes her body for those weird ad's which I wonder why she likes. We have also recorded her favorite Tv ad's and would play it for her when she is cranky or not well. 

Funny Faces

Ria loves when her daddy makes funny faces. She would watch him very carefully and then start shouting and laughing. She would sometimes start beating her daddy with those cute tiny hands. It happens when she becomes overjoyed. Ria likes it only when her daddy does it, once when her grandfather made funny faces, she gave a stare and never cared to look at him again. 

Baby Bouncer

One of the life saver of many moms is baby bouncer as it frees up mom to do the daily chores while it keeps the baby comfortable and happy for hours. It's like her own sweet time, she keeps talking to herself and plays with her little toys in the bouncer. She would laugh aloud sometimes seeking our attention. 

Playing Peekaboo

Ria loves to play peekaboo, she understands how objects can disappear and come back again. She enjoys to play with anyone and this would settle her calm in a place for some time. Again she will start rounding the entire home and come back to play peekaboo. At times when she is very bored, she would start playing peekaboo herself with my shawl. 

Ria enjoys all these only when she is happy on the inside and outside. She is in full swing when her tummy is full and diaper is dry. She gets comfortable with herself when the diaper is dry and comfortable. If not, Ria will be very cranky. Diaper plays an important role in keeping a child happy. Pampers baby dry pants promises dryness for the baby on inside. Its magic gel locks in moisture keeping the baby dry on the inside. Wearing pampers gives the baby comfort to sleep, having a good night sleep baby wakes up happy and fresh for the next day. 

Playing with our baby and spending all my time with her is one of the most valuable things in my life. We have recorded and photographed every happy moment of her which is deeply valued. 

See this video of how happy the baby is when getting up in the morning

Mom's around the world must be thankful to pampers for keeping their baby dry and happy for hours.

Do visit their site here: Pampers

A Cup of Coffee to a Great Life!!!

Story of an young man who always muttered at his bad luck and meaningless life. He had everything though not in excess, he frowned all day about his life. His life was miserable after he faced some failures continuously. He gave the hope and confidence with which he had success all these years. He started seeing life differently and so it happened. The young man is none other than me, Rajesh. But I was fortunate to have changed my life with a little hope which then built success bridge for my life. 

One day, I happened to meet my senior at college in a coffee shop, he was dressed very trendy and looked so cool, I remember how he used to be very shy during college days and never had an social circle. I quickly went near him and he was surprised to me, he has come for an office meeting and happened to grab a quick bite in the coffee shop. We were elated seeing each other after a long time. Everyone would love when they find someone who they knew in a different city. 

As we started chatting, our coffee and sandwiches arrived, we discussed from our campus to professors and canteen to batch mates. This guy was so cool, definitely not the guy I had known in college days. I was so curious and slowly started to ask how such a transformation in his lifestyle happened. He was laughing and told he expected me to ask this. He shared his secret mantra of positive thoughts which lead to positive actions. He shared how miserable his life was in his office when people teased him and did not get recognition from work, later how he worked on his negative thoughts and imagined good things happening to him which slowly started changing the entire situation around him. He started having friends, his talent was appreciated, and later he kept working on his positive thoughts and was very optimistic which changed his life completely. 

Source

He asked me to practice and practice till I achieve what I wanted. After seeing the transformation my senior had undergone with his optimism about life, love and relationships why can't it happen to me also. My problem in life was I did not get the job I wanted, I was rejected in many interviews where us my friends got selected and had an offer letter. I had an family to support who had taken education loans for my studies. All this responsibilities where burdening my mind which created a negative mindset of what if I don't get a job. Slowly the negative thoughts corrupted my mind leading to my failures.

I took up the responsibility of my failure and started to change my attitude towards life. I was confident of getting a better job of what I truly deserved, so I admitted that all these failures were reasonable for my success to get something better. I kept applying and reapplying jobs. I never gave up searching and my parents were worried. I still never gave up when I received a call from a consultancy guy. I was very delighted and went there. He fixed up an meeting with the HR and the meeting went smoothly. They were very satisfied with my performance. Later in a week's time, I received a call from the same consultancy guy and he had fixed up an appointment with the top MNC company which would be everyone's dream to work with, my optimistic attitude boosted my confidence to another level. I was elated and shouted in joy. I never knew for what profile I had been called, yet my confidence about the future was high. 

The next day, I was all prepared for the big day, I extremely did well the interview and was shell shocked while I received the order. I had been appointed for an top level profile which I could have achieved only after 3 years of experience if I had been placed through my college. Tears rolled down my eyes in joy, in pride and in confidence of what the future had been holding for me. The one moment of success changed my life completely.

My optimistic approach towards life showed tremendous performance in my work-life, had promotions, bought a new car, then a new home, my parents loan was settled, admitted my sister for her MS degree in fashion designing. My life changed the lives of many around me. My friends were waiting to get some reference from me who earlier mocked at my failures. 

One story of life which I would cherish forever!!!

Optimism brings in all that you desire in life and ask for. I shall no longer have the fear of future for I am transforming my present to the way I desire. 

Make sure you visit Housing.com who is bringing optimism to the world and to help the world live better. 

The man behind my happiness

As I watched the video of #MyFamilyMyPride ad film, it refreshed my memories back to the man of my inspiration. Do watch the amazing video yourself before reading the story of my dad and his lessons for me. 

This wonderful advertisement would have definitely reminded you about the important person in your life. 

From my young age, my dad has been my identity with which I associate with, he has been my friend, love and a enemy. He was a self-disciplined person who was conscious about his thoughts, words and action. He was a role model not only for me but many in my family. He spread love, intelligence and courage everywhere he went. People would come for advice on land dealings and cases. Some even feared about his presence in respect. 

I wanted to be just like my dad, to see every challenge as an opportunity and change it into success. But I had the fear of failure, which never let me come out of the shell. I could not go swimming in the fear of drowning, I could not drive my bike in the fear of falling down, and so on which my father learned very soon from my actions. He knew how he trained me to be brave and face extreme situations yet this fear has invaded deep inside me. Boys my age were bold, strong and challenging while I never took up any challenges that was on my way. 

My father wanted me to learn through actions rather than advise or words which would never help me overcome the fear. An incident, which changed my life forever and that changed me to a positive person full of sparks and glow. We went to my grandmother's place where she does farming and owns a few rental shops. I had a sibling too, so we roamed around the farm and take bath in the water tanks. There was a small well where everyone would swim, play and bath but my fear never let me enjoy it. I would ask my cousins to tie a small rope around my waist and go inside and play with them. They would tease me for still being a child-like person but I never cared because of my fear. 

Source

As we were playing inside happily splashing water on each other in a safe mindset of having been tied to the small support in the well so I could manage. After a while, I realized that it was set loose and all this time, I had been swimming myself. I panicked the very moment and I saw my father beside the support where the rope was tied. He was having a pride of letting go of my fear and shouted "You young fellow, come on, you are doing great!!". Oh yes!! I no longer panicked, I struggled through and developed the water confidence in a fun filled moment where my cousins motivated me to try harder to withhold and this moment when I realized my potential and inner strength of the person I am. He let my fear burst out, he knew I was capable but it was my incapability to accept it. He taught a lesson of how capable I am. 

That borderline of fear I crossed to become successful was very thin but my failure to understand was thick which my father bridged. From that very day, I gave everything a shot, more of a chance to find where I stand and had been experiencing remarkable success. 

I am so grateful to have such a powerful and inspiring person in my life!!! I attribute for everything I am to him now!!!

Do check out HDFC Life page where they give you the complete solution for your family's happiness in this beautiful life journey. 

Post written for IndiBlogger and HDFC Life. 

I assure that to the best of my abilities and circumstances that this blog post will stay in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.