Kahwa and flax seeds tea and my learning today!!

It was a great day….I felt so energetic, so refreshed and full of life…why?? Because of many things:

Firstly I woke up at 7 rather than 9 which I usually do….I used my handmade soap for shower  and I felt so good… I thought I am so happy to see my creation put to good use…than won’t god be happy to see his creation (that’s me) so happy today…he will be thinking what a beautiful creation is this soul…so happy so cheerful, full of love, exactly the way i wanted it to be!! That’s what I actually thought!!

Secondly I read few chapters from the “Book of Woman” while sipping my fav Kashmiri Kahwa tea… (Infusion of kahwa leaves, cinnamon, saffron, and sugar) with 2 teaspoons of flax seeds…!! Adding the seeds was a new twist in the usual tea…why?? because:

Power packed flax seeds have a nutty taste…they are a source of omega-3 and omega-6, rich source of lignin, that’s flushes out the excess oestrogen from body reducing chances of oestrogen linked cancers like breast cancer. 

( Note: They should be crushed before use otherwise they will pass through the body just like that…once crushed they should be refrigerated because the oil  in the seeds will be oxidized thereby diminishing their nutritive value).

And thirdly:

I gifted Josna one homemade soap J, we had our casual discussion about life, how things should be actually and how we mistakenly perceive them to be…how life should move on, how our relationships should be…it is always refreshing to have such discussions with her… and every time we end up learning a thing or two…embracing the beauty of life’s mysteries with open arms !!

Homemade Herbal Soap :)

Story goes like this, “so the really handsome Narcissus saw his reflection in the pool of water and he fell in love with it”

Yeah I made this saffron, turmeric, and rosemary soap at home today and I fell in love with it…   :)

I am so happy to have finally made it, few days earlier even yestreen it was a dream…so distant, so far…just in my thoughts…but today I am holding it in my hands…smelling it and taking pride in it!!  After all  “I made a soap, a homemade soap”.

My soapy story goes back to the post (here) when I started to pay attention to the products that we have been using without actually being aware of the chemicals used in their preparation...so I thought I will make soap at home as well since it can be done... and I will be making it as safe as possible by using all the natural ingredients!!

It’s like one of a thing on my “DIY before I die “ list is checked…I did it!!   and By the way aren't those visible valuable saffron threads so inviting?? 

Around here

Still trying to figure out what I am…still in the process of defining my life, I try to do so many things, yet I fail to complete them…I begin with so much enthusiasm and fail to  take it till the end…that’s me…over enthusiastic me…ludicrous me…

Today while cleaning the cupboard, I found this amazing book and I wondered why?? Why had I left it halfway…I should have completed it…read it through…so here I am reading it again… 

Few amazing lines that I read today:

“ and it is a very simple fact that the more you know, the less you wonder….

As you grow older, you lose the sensitivity for wonder, you become more and more dull…but the reason for it is that now you know everything. You know nothing, but your mind is full of borrowed knowledge, and you have not ever thought that underneath it is nothing but darkness and ignorance…” –Osho, the book of woman.

Homemade Eucalyptus Balm

 Homemade Eucalyptus Balm

Past 3 days were hard on us…Vihaan was not well and you know what happens when your baby is unwell... you have to deal with  everything…from baby's health to whole household chores…. So in this process of managing everything I lost the balance somewhere…and one night I just broke down…I cried…I had wrist pain and headache and Vihaan was not ready to sleep, he wanted to be in my arms…he wanted to sleep in my lap and I had no energy left…I cried for being too incompetent to manage all this…I felt too self-centred to cater to the need of my little sick baby… anyhow the night passed and the day dawned…in the morning I looked like a drug addict…with half closed eyes…dizzy... frail me…in lot of pain...and my little one looking upto me for understanding him...for caring for him...for comforting him... Akash had to come early from his office... and vihaan was with him...under his care for the rest of the day...somehow we managed...and the day passed as well… that's what happened in the past two days.

Today I felt a little better and so did Vihaan... I felt back in action, and I made an eucalyptus balm at home…eucalyptus helps to relieve  the symptoms of cold, sinusitis and flu...

I am little freak when it comes to using the available medications for children to treat few common seasonal ailments…that’s why I home made this balm…it wasn't that easy, I spent a lot of time studying about the best available essential oil manufactures in India, then about the natural beeswax…and after a lot of brainstorming and going through a lot of online reviews…I got this eucalyptus essential oil from Soul flower… as we cannot use the essential oil directly to the skin, I had to search for the best carrier oil available…I choose Jojoba cold pressed oil…

And here I am with my homemade balm for my little one…not only Vihaan but all three us can use it (I did a patch sensitivity test before the application of the balm) and I can’t tell you how happy I am with this little creation of mine…

Next on my list is a luscious Lip moisturizing balm and homemade natural soaps  :)

Someday...

Someday….

Someday I will leave everything behind and never look back…I will move on…with the thought of seeing the unseen…knowing the unknown…hearing the unheard…speaking the unspoken…someday…I will vanish just like that!!  

But I won't be far away…

I will be nearby...you will find me in the tiny bulb pushing its way out through the heart of earth…or may in the fragrance of a new bloom….in the green of the newly emerged leaflet…in the glistening water of a unruly river…you will find me in the sweetness of a beehive… you will hear my melody in a mocking bird!!

 Someday…    :)

Our most valuable treasure- Our Relationships!!

If you have a plant at home… you won’t just keep it all decked up in the balcony or in some corner of the house…It's not about mere possession... rather you will ensure that you take best care of it, you will take appropriate steps for its survival and then it’s continued healthy growth… for that you need to know it well because different plants have different requirements…what goes for one won’t go for everyone. You will make sure it gets proper lighting, just right amount of water, sufficient nutrients, proper handling, adequate air circulation…you will dedicate your daily scheduled time for its well being, isn't it??!!

 Well, same goes for our relationships also…they also need our time, our support, our understanding to grow and bloom!! and  the sooner we get it the better it is, because, deep down...oblivious to the naked eyes.. if the root dies, the plant will wilt away too..if the impact is deeper, than nothing you do superficially will save it from dying away...!!!

it is the root, that nourishes the whole plant, that anchors it to the soil, that stimulates the growth...and root is deep down...undergoing a lot, all by itself..!! 

How safe is your Family toothpaste??

How safe is your Family toothpaste??

We get the best toothpaste available in the market, we brush 2 times in a day and that’s it…

No carries, no cavity and no worries.. and all goody..

Well let me burst the bubble and state that we are doomed at the first step …why?? What??

Because my friends that toothpaste has been lying to us..{with a loud grin, I might add}

we never pay attention to the “active ingredients” in our germ fighting toothpaste…

have you wondered why we get to hear so much about cancer incidence in every third person we know…in our family, in our circle…it’s so prevalent nowadays…why??

Partly because day in –day out we are using the chemicals that trigger such reaction in our body, and we  hardly know!! a little more knowledge, little more effort can save us and our dear ones!! Awareness about what we use, what we buy…can make a lot of difference!!

Today while I was watching TV…I happened to see a very informational programme based on the day to day products that we use and about their ingredients…that was a real eye opener for me.. I headed straight to my washroom and got all the toothpastes that we have been using since ages…and when I checked for their ingredients, I was shocked…it was all too confusing.....I thought I used the best products… even the toothpaste that I thought was safe enough for Vihaan was not SAFE!!

What to do?? Now I was aware of the harmful chemicals that we have been using every day, first thing in the morning…I had to do something about it and then I searched for the safer options available...to my surprise even the Dabur red toothpaste had few artificial preservatives… after much research I finally settled for Vicco vajradanti toothpaste..I found it to be safe and 100% herbal and Vihaan can use it as well!! ( For more information about Vicco toothpaste click here..)  I called up the local supermarket guy to check for this particular brand which he had…I dumped all other tubes in the waste bin and pledged to be more alert and wise in terms of choosing the products that we guys use…in coming days I will research for the  Hair shampoos, conditioner’s and other products that we use and take appropriate actions if required!!

I will suggest that you guys go through this Skin Deep and EWG  to know more about the products that you have been using and if need be, switch to safer options…after all its for your health and wellbeing…take an initiative!!

AS I say : Love, respect, and treat your body well, remember it’s where your soul resides”

PS: This post is not sponsored by" Vicco", opinion expressed is my own and data points are taken from (EWG) and Skin Deep.

Lesson learned Over the cup of spilled tea!!

Today both of us (Vihaan and I) were in the kitchen, I was busy making my tea and Vihaan as usual was keeping me company….Even though I try my best to pay full attention to Vihaan, I also try to finish up a multitude of things that are pending …and today in all this mess I kept my steaming hot cup just on the edge of the kitchen counter and I went to check on the washing machine and in the fraction of a second Vihaan got hold of the cup and before I could stop him the tea came pouring down  on his hand and arm…he cried… I caught hold of him, took him to the washroom and immersed his arm in the water…

Thankfully it was not severe…it took him 10 minutes to come out of it…he was okay and he  forgot what had just happened… he forgot... and he forgave me…for not being mentally present, for messing up…he forgave me…even though he was truly hurt…he forgave me easily…perhaps he knew that this hurt was small and is going to heal with time… I was feeling guilty...I was in unrest but my little boy was calm, composed and he resumed playing, he gave me smile...and I thought how  bigger heart this boy of mine has!! Probably bigger than me!! Because I know I am not that forgiving !!

 How difficult we grown-ups find it to forgive someone and how easily kids do it!!

It was a lesson learned…to let go of the hurt because it is going to heal with time anyway.. if there is something that we should hold on to, then its Love, faith and forgiveness!!

Sweet Lime and star Anise Tea

If you are always on the move (like me), cleaning the windows, doing the dishes, making the bed, and all that.... finding it hard to relax and " just be" then I will suggest,  after you are done with most of the household chores, just sit for a while, sink deep in the couch...close your eyes.. go back to your childhood...imagine it's raining hard outside...you walk barefoot and let the rain drench you, embrace you tightly...smell the flowers and breathe deeply....let all the worries, stress leave your body as you exhale and when you feel little lighter...open your eyes...head straight to the kitchen and make this amazing sweet lime and Star Anise tea. It will help you stay calm and lock that lost joy inside for a little while!!

Put few slices of a sweet lime and couple of star anise in a teapot…pour hot water and let infuse for 5-8 minutes. You can also add little sugar if you wish…I prefer plain… hold the tea in your mouth… feel the taste, awaken your senses... and let it in… drink freely.

 You can also refrigerate it  and then drink later on!!

38/365 and Mother's Day celebration!!

38/365

We had a great motherhood celebration here, it was fun, photos, giggles and lots of running around!! 

I did a mother’s day photo shoot with some of my Mommy friends and their adorable babies, will upload pics soon!!

Thanks to akash for this great idea of photo shoot, it was his suggestion that i should do something with my friends today and here I am with the wonderful pictures!!

Two proud Mommy’s J

Photography credit for some of the pictures goes to a wonderful mommy "Ayesha"!!

Mother's day, an awakening and a surprise!!

Being a mother is...

Well it's more than words can explain...I don't know how to put it in words....I  wish i could get into the time machine and go to my yesteryear's and be little more sensible..I wish I could see the world through the eyes of my mother at that stage in life and I wish I could understand what she meant and felt when I made silly mistakes. ..when I was unnecessary rude to her for trivial things...I wish I could change that...but I can't, it's too late in life...but I can tell her now that I love her and genuinely understand what a "mother"  is and I appreciate everything that she has done for me !!

My Mother day gift to my Mother and Mother in law was a  surprise "prepaid mobile recharge" with full talk time  for both of them :)  ...and I know from the conversation that i had with them,  they were bit surprised and also happy at the same time...I have never done anything before on the mother's day, (I know..sounds so rude, but it's true) ...so it came as a total surprise...well It's just the beginning, an awakening for me and I will definitely continue this tradition!!

Sharing a message, straight from the heart…

The template is from Textcutie and quote is mine!!

I am the change...

Change!!  I get lost somewhere in the resonance of this word, in the vibrations as this word travels all around me in the air …I get lost as the sound of this word propagates, and is then received and perceived by my brain…

I was born and given a specific name, but I am no longer that person anymore... 

and If I have changed and I continue to do, then I wonder, should I be called by the same name " Supreet" ??? 

My name was "pratinu" when I was born and was a tiny being...at the same time I was a  "Putri" (daughter),  a "Sodarya" (Sister),

"shishuka" when I was a toddler..."Kishori" when I was going through the phase of hormonal interplay and spurt in bodily growth. When I went in search of career and dedicated my life to studies, my name was "Talib"... and "Rajati" when I fell in love..".samvesha" when I used to day dream and spend hours dreaming about my future.

"Jaya" the moment I was pronounced as wife by holy men, when we walked around the fire deity... "utkalapayati" when I bid farewell to  my father's place and went on to live with my husband.  My name was" Prajavati" when I had bun in my oven... and "Janyitri" when Vihaan was born...

I will remain a "Putri" (daughter),  a "Sodarya" (Sister), a "Sakhi" (Friend), a "Jaya" (Wife), a " Janyitri" (Mother) for the respective relations in my life yet I will be changing continuously...for today you can call me "Mumukshu"  ( One who seeks Liberation) .

Like a snake I shed my personality when I outgrow it…

Like a tree... I  shed my insecurities and my fears when they weigh me down…but with time they seem to grow on me again...and the cycle continues...the changes continues!!

Like a river I bend my course when the terrain requires…I am never the same, however my origin remains so... 

Like a seed sometimes I go in complete darkness , choose to remain dormant , bulb out when conditions are favorable and bloom like a flower when the time has reached…

Tomorrow when the sun will rise above the horizon... and the horizon will be painted red...while the rest of the sky will mostly be blue....I will have a different name :) and what will that be?? I don't know !!

I am the change!!

Jewellery collection

Today I tried my hands on some jewellery photography...I am not that fond of jewellery by any long short and this collection has been lying like that in the box since ages...I am bit aloof in terms of grooming, makeup and all...the only thing that I do is probably apply herbal kajal and a moisturizer and that's all..my makeup routine...so simple..ends in 2 steps!! and when we are going out..guess what, I am the one who gets ready just like that...in no time whereas Akash takes his own sweet time :)


Now a little confession time...I have never ever shopped for lipsticks/any other beauty products or jewellery in my life...all that I have are gifted to me by my family, Akash, my Mother In law, my sister,and friends...they are so generous!! you might be thinking what kindaa woman I am..well I told you earlier that I am bit wired, I wasn't lying when I told you that :) !!

Ok..coming back to the jewellery...Here are few click of my fav jewellery collection!!

These two above- A gift from My Mother in Law

Last three above - Gifted by Akash, one on Diwali and the other 2 just like that ;) !!

At home-with a friend

Finally the much awaited picture was clicked today!!

I had been to Josna's welcoming and cozy home today...and I made sure that we clicked our picture together...I always feel at ease with her, it is the feeling that I get when she is around...feeling that "lets me be" and then everything happens effortlessly... she has that sort of an aura...that is welcoming and serene.

I have also learned quite a few things from her...ginger drink and caramel pudding which she had made for us today and we loved it!! 

Thank you Josna for being a part of our life and making us relish your wonderful recipes :)  !! 

The Invisible crown ;)

You are special, you are unique, you are different than everyone else... you are "you"...nobody else can replace you!! So have faith in yourself and Step out with confidence because you are wearing an invisible crown, you were born with it, you are god's special child!!

The picture says it all ;)

For today , Keeping it short and sweet!!

May be I am crazy...but I am happy!!

Well that's what happy people do, happy people are bit rebellious, they are bit different, bit wired, they care less about what others might be thinking of them...they go an extra mile , they ask questions, they never hesitate for asking what they want even if others think that it might sound silly...they take out time to do what they love...they are always on the move...they listen to their heart!!

Ok you might be thinking that I am crazy, maybe I am...because I am happy...I never hesitate for asking the guy at the ice cream parlour to put some extra chocolate on my  ice-cream cone...and he smiles and put it happily...I never care what people will think when I take off my sandals and jump in the stream of water in the local park...and kids watch me and they do the same... they jump in with joy...I know that I have shared my happiness with them...

I never hesitate in asking a local vegetable vendor why is he grumpy, is it because he had a bad day...well I wish whatever it is, it will be taken care by god...I know by saying so I have shared his pain as well...must have made him feel a little better if not much!!

I do what i feel like, I live in the moment!! 

May be I am crazy...but I am happy!!

Welcoming May

May this month of May be filled with happiness, lots of good learning and plenty of memories to treasure!!

May it nurture the good in all of us and help us to be a better human being!!