A drop in the ocean...

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

~ Mother Teresa

There's calmness in the turbulence

There's an order in the chaos

There's rhythm in the noise

There's harmony in the discord

There's movement in the stillness

Moving is being alive, seeing hope, nurturing dreams, having whims and fancies, being in love, being human!

Humans have their date with time every now and then, do we make the most of it? Don't really know but life goes on... as a matter of fact. Have heard the phrase, life awaits you, you are invited. How true! Its when one gets the realisation to stop existing and start living. When one starts living, a new being is born with new energy and zeal. The individual understands the purpose and goal in his life. There is peace and contentment that brings about harmony with his surroundings.

Time heals, time waits for none... Be up! be going and be with the time. Now is the time....don't postpone it!



This post is written for Indiblogeswaris #ThatTuesdayThingy http://indiblogeshwaris.com/2013/06/that-tuesday-thingy-premiere/

image courtesy: http://jackholesrealm.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/water_drop.jpg

Mother - the Annapurna!

Being a mother is stepping into the gigantic shoes and taking up multitudes of roles. Mother in Hinduism is also known as Annapurna, Annapurna in Sanskrit means provider or full of food, the mother who feeds. Goddess of the harvest. It is believed that without her there is starvation. 

Saffron

This role of Annapurna is stepped into right from the time the lady learns that she would be bringing a new life into the world. First thing that the gynecologist advises her is to take calcium and iron supplements and have a  balanced and healthy diet. The woman in question starts eating healthy, having stuff that she never would have touched otherwise, something that'd have never appealed to her. Here it's the question of her baby.... the bundle of joy that'll be arriving in her life. She would want her baby to be healthy.Nine months go by, mother to be ensures that she not only eats healthy but also has healthy habits and lifestyle. In India women are told to have kesar or saffron believed to be doing wonders during the happy yet difficult phase for the expectant mother. It not only keeps her in good health but also is good for her baby. Saffron is supposed to be a miracle. With due credits to justeat.in

http://justeat.in/articles/health-tips/benefits-of-kesar-saffron/view/124

Then the baby arrives and the mother continues to eat healthy, she follows her doctor's advice and  that of the elderly ladies in the house, who act 'know all'. Its a struggle at times  as the doctor and the ladies in the house may be contradicting each other. She needs to use her discretion to choose the right diet plan at the same time not annoy the two parties. We in India especially among the North Indians give lots of ghee, pajiri, goundh laddus etc that are quite fattening, which the doctors don't recommend. Ofcourse they ask everything to be taken in moderation. Some women pile on the pounds whereas others are just about okay. Six months of exclusive breastfeeding requires the mother to be still on good diet. The baby gets the nutrition from its mother.

Then the infant starts taking top food. Again the pediatrician have their recommendations of giving mashed veggies, egg yolks, soups, fruits etc. The child slowly starts having everything that the mother gives. Some accept the change happily and get adapted to the food habits whereas others are very finicky. Mothers have all kinds of mechanisms and routines set for themselves and the child so that it eats to the mother's satisfaction. Some mothers sing while they feed their toddlers, some switch on the television, some play music, some even become clowns so that the child will eat whats on its plate.

As the child becomes older it starts experimenting with food, kids somehow love the taste of junk food. Veggies are not the preferred items from the food pyramid. Its again a challenge for the mother to introduce healthy nutritious food into the child's diet. The child then starts school, the mother needs to pack good food into the lunch box too ensuring that the child gets a balanced diet. All meals are to be planned carefully. Its a challenge every mother faces while planning the menu for the day. Right from the breakfast to dinner and everything in between.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are always the best bet. Eggs, milk and milk products are the staples. So are dry fruits such as almonds and walnuts that are easily available and are packed with many health benefits. My kids love cashews too but my personal favorites are almonds and walnuts.

Her's a link to the benefits of almonds, courtesy whfoods.com

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20

Almonds

Walnuts

Walnut is another wonder fruit, here are the health benefits of walnut, due credits to Times of India

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-22/diet/29787164_1_walnuts-omega-3-fats-nitric-oxide

Mothers are always on the lookout for interesting healthy recipes that they can try out and let their children  have good, tasty and nutritious food. 

You can order saffron,almonds and walnuts from puremart, I love their products.
http://www.puremart.in/

Neem Hakim... Khatraye Jaan!

I haven't been here of late... too bad! in fact very very bad. I am just occupying the blog space and bringing out nothing new but yes I have been busy with a lot of things.  Moving house, kids vacations, our little time off with family, our own little vacation etc etc. I somehow convince myself with the excuses, lame or otherwise. Today being the 1st and  Monday I better have a post on my blog! So here we go... the first thought that came to my mind is my dear husband and the name that I game him very initially during our relationship... Neem Hakim... Khatraye jaan! Not that I invented the phrase, it has always been there. And, why do I call him so? Oh its a long story, but story that makes me smile every time I need to visit a doc or hear some health talks or on wellness. In fact last evening I told my husband that I have to write about 'The Neem Hakim'...so its Shree Ganesh here....

When we met, some 8 years ago, he didn't ask me out for coffee but did notice the way I walked. He said that I walked on my heel and gave a whole list of pros and cons. If I was down with a flu, he gave all the reasons why I had caught the cold and had the remedies and medications for the same. He had an answer for almost all ailments right from a minor bruise to may be the more serious ones... not that the serious ones were applicable to me. There... 'Neem Hakim'  was born! He is not a doctor by profession but can give any  doc worth his salt a run for his money!

On further probe learnt that he spent a lot of time with his doctor friend at his clinic and even heard the cases.   All this while he was on vacation of 3-4 months during his early career as a mariner. Ofcourse there wasn't anything more interesting to do. But the bonus being the little lessons that he was receiving and adding to his interest and love to know more about medicines. Wow! What patience!.... and he certainly is a walking medical dictionary, Oh I am proud of him. I couldn't have learnt medicine even if I was the last person to become a doc and save humanity! I just don't have the heart for it. I am so scared of visiting hospitals that before I make up my mind to make a visit for a bad cold, fever or aches, the ailment is cured on its own. I do appreciate all the people in the noble profession.... hats off to all the doctors in the world. But my Neem Hakim is very special indeed... comes with his pearls of wisdom every now and then. One such pearl worth a mention is doing Vajrasana (the yoga posture) while lying down, in fact after dinner. It seems that helps in digestion. I know the Vajrasana is to be done while sitting on the pose but have never heard or seen being done while lying down almost on the verge of going off to sleep. By the way, this form of the yoga posture is somehow my favorite too as it makes me laugh... laugh so much that my own digestion falls on track. Another pearl of wisdom from my man is to check the level of dehydration, just by looking at the colour  of the wasted liquid when one relieves onself! that lesson has been passed on to the boys also. So they know when they are drinking less of water. When I see them gulping water on SOS, I know whats on their mind. ...Big lesson from papa dearest!

“Each patient carries his own doctor inside him.” 

― Norman Cousins, Anatomy Of An Illness

During the postpartum, there came in a lot of dos and don'ts, no commands but just suggestions. Obviously no one can command a lioness who has just gone through childbirth. Oh, it was such fun listening to them as some had scientific backing and the others were the old wive's tales. But they all made me feel special. Even after so many years I do remember each one of them. I can actually come out with a handbook for all the young mothers. At times I feel he is a born doctor but somehow didn't give his inborn talent an opportunity to grow and flourish. Nevermind I have an exclusive doc on call always! No appointment needed.

Even medicine works on faith. If you trust your doc all shall be fine, and if you have doubts even the best can't treat you. Everything starts in the mind.

As  SupaNova Slom says, “Don't let sickness, depression, and disease THUG YOU OUT. Eat healthier, think healthier, speak healthier, and more positively over your life. When you do so, you will soon begin to conquer your life and your health through new found empowerment- mind, body, and spirit.” 

One Ride with the Vroooooom Gang!

Nigel Rich, a member of the REO (Royal Enfield Owners) ... Oh my Vroom Gang! informs me of the 'One Ride' that they are going to organise first Sunday of April every year. Its apparently followed by the Bullet Owners across the country, I just learnt that. Good thought! so after the Valentine's day and the Woman's day the Bullet guys shall have a One Ride! That sounds cool.... 

So find a Valentine on 14th Feb, celebrate the Woman's day on March 8th and then go for One Ride on the first Sunday of April... Doesn't this sound fabulous?... Be warned guys the Ride on the Bullet has to be with the same lady every year! The Bullet is known for its strength(of character), class and attitude. Someone riding that automatically imbibes those characteristics! Much as we loved the Ride that they organised on the Republic day for a cause, 'safety for women'.

I miss this ride as well, Down reporting sick bay! But shall certainly write about it as I know the essence of this ride. I have been told about the concept, the idea and the race itself. So where, what and how of it?

Sunday April 7th, 2013. 

7 am to 5 pm

Martins Inn Beach Hotel, Arnala Beach, Virar (West) Mumbai.

What I feel about these Rides, they are not just to pump the adrenalin rush but they make an individual responsible, disciplined, follow brotherhood and take up social causes in a big, organised way! Thumps up to that! We see youngsters misusing the powerful bikes leading to accidents due to rash driving. Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai sees such accidents almost everyday. Apart from the Traffic Police, I feel that the Bikers can organise fun camps and invite the young bikers, no matter what bike they ride; especially college students to join them for rides and let them experience the thrill of biking and responsible driving. I can help, preparing the campaign! if need be write your speeches too!!
I have very young bikers.... my sons! and I certainly wish them as well as other young boys and girls to enjoy speed with safety and discipline. Its a habit that can be inculcated in young people.

How responsible are these guys?

I just loved the rules that they follow,
"Its either our way or the highway on your own.... you don't belong to us if you don't follow our rules". High Five for that!

Rules to be followed strictly for the ride :-

1. Be on time for the ride.

2. Helmet for the rider and the pillion is compulsory and do carry your riding gears(if any).

3. Shoes or boots compulsory for the rider.

4. No overtaking amongst each other. 

5. No rash riding during the ride.

6. No breaking file, we will ride in a file of 2.

7. No violence during the ride.

8. Always follow the bike which is ahead of you, all the way. 

9. Headlights will be full time on.

10. Every rider should carry valid driving license along with all necessary documents.

11. Make sure your royal enfield is well serviced to avoid a break down during the ride.

**************************note*****************************

violation of the above rules will strictly not be tolerated.

Check out the write up by Steven Miranda

Join the One Ride celebrations across the world. Starting this year the First Sunday of April shall be celebrated as the ONE RIDE DAY or THE Royal Enfield Owner's Day, where we shall encourage all the Royal Enfield owners to take their motorbikes out for a ride.

So, get up and get riding on your Royal Enfield on the 7th April (First Sunday of April) to experience and share your story with us.

ONE RIDE starts from the Brand Store located in Bandra, Mumbai.

So Riders make sure you take your ROYAL ENFIELD out on this day and show off the chrome and the polished tank.

This is a ride for the brotherhood , where the roads come alive with the distinct thump of the Royal Enfield machines.We are looking forward to your support in making this event BIG ONE !!....

Venue : Martins Inn ,Arnala Beach, Arnala, Virar (West)

http://www.martinsinn.com/

Route Plan: Bandra - Mira Road -Arnala Beach, Arnala, Virar (West)

Assembly at 7:00 AM at the (MUMBAI ,BANDRA) BRAND STORE : Ride starts at 7:30 AM sharp…

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED STRICTLY FOR THE RIDE :-

(Riders without shoes and helmet will not be allowed to ride with us)

Details :

Venue - Martins Inn Beach Hotel.Arnala Beach, Arnala, Virar (West)

Registration Charges Rs:- 600/-- Paid by the Riders at the venue.(Martins Inn Beach Hotel.)

Charges include :

· Morning Breakfast :(tea/coffee/snacks)

· Lunch: Veg-Non Veg

· Evening: (tea/coffee).

. One Ride T-Shirt.

For more details please contact on numbers as below:-

Steven: 

Harshil:

******************************************************

This is the day when we ride for nobody/nothing else But only our ENFIELD !

Express your love to your beloved machine by joining us on 7th April as we celebrate ROYAL ENFIELD  One Ride Day.

For pictures from the ride:

http://photography.rayaguru.com/gallery/royalenfieldridesoneride