#FirstLove with Dabur

Everyone wants to cuddle and shower unlimited kisses on a baby. Ever wondered why! As a baby, one instantly receives attention from all over, because of the soft and supple nature of baby's skin. But when it comes to a baby’s skin, one has to remain extra careful. One of the ways to nourish baby's skin is a smooth massage on a daily basis after bath.

Importance of Massage

While baby's internal health is taken care of with sufficient nutritional foods, supplements, immunisation vaccinations and tender care, what equally demands attention is their external physical well-being. And massaging has been considered as one of the vital cogs in this regard. Massaging contributes a lot in terms of overall physical growth of baby. Not only does it helps parents to bond with their baby but also helps the latter to gain weight, improves his sleep quality, helps to develop bones, makes his muscles strong, relieves digestive problems, stimulates blood circulation, detoxifies his skin, and improves the metabolic rate. Thus it can be said that massaging not only helps to develop an emotional bond with one's child but it also helps  the baby grow physically stronger. 

From several centuries, infant massage has been considered a traditional practice in Indian culture and it has recently gained widespread popularity all around the world. Infant massage is not just beneficial for the child, but also for the parents. Experts agree that a gentle touch on the infant’s body during a massage helps in promoting baby’s emotional and physical development while creating a strong bond and relationship with the parent.

Some other important benefits associated with infant body massage are:

• Contributes towards Physical Development – A few weeks of regular massage makes them healthy, active and alert while promoting weight gain. Further, it also improves blood circulation while enhancing growth and development. 

• Improve Bonding – Touch is considered to be vital for development of an attachment behaviour and also for early social development.

• Helps baby relax and sleep better – A gentle massage on the child’s body helps him relax and sleep. 

Massaging Baby the right way

Start with preparing massage oils and warming up the room. Keep a clean warm towel under the baby and gently massage in one direction. Use nice and soft movements so that they get a chance to enjoy it, and willingly get it done the next time as well. Do not force them, for they love to choose between things. It is a good base for healthy mind and body in adulthood. Children are naturally flexible, and generally have an innate sense of balance with a stronger body overall. Toddler massage will teach you the art of positive touch to benefit you and your child and can calm a crying or a fussy baby.

Choosing the right massage oil 

A newborn’s skin is highly sensitive so it needs to be taken extra care of when a product has to be chosen to be applied directly on it. That's why I recommend the newly launched from the trusted house of Dabur, (which already has various good products like Dabur Lal Tail, Dabur Gripe Water, Dabur Janm Ghunti, etc.) in this category, the Dabur Baby Massage Oil.

First of all, Dabur Baby does not encourage the use of any form of artificial colours, paraffins, and parabens. Dabur Baby Massage Oil is a unique blend of premium natural oils like - Olive & Almond which provide the baby the required nourishment.

Key Features:

• Made up of Natural oils like Almond & Olive
• Olive is known to help provide nourishment to the baby’s skin
• Almond is known to gently moisturize baby’s delicate skin making it soft and supple.
• Paraffins Free.
• No artificial colours
• No artificial colours
• Regular massaging helps strengthen bones and muscles.
• Attractive and playful product pack helps engage the baby while massaging.

The oil nourishes your baby’s tender skin and keeps it soft and supple. It’s enriched natural ingredients cure and prevent the baby’s skin from getting dry or wrinkled. 

Note: 

Dabur Baby as a Brand focuses exclusively on products developed using natural ingredients, which are safe and provide nourishment to babies. These products have been created through extensive research by understanding the essential need for babies' tenderly skin and hair. Dabur has gone a step ahead and ensured that the safe practices are being utilized in designing these products.

Dabur has gone a step ahead in ensuring that only the safest of the ingredients and processes are being utilized in the development of Dabur Baby products. Dabur Baby prohibits the use of any form of artificial colours in any of its products. Also the Dabur Baby products are Paraffin and Paraben Free, unlike other baby products present in the market.

P.S. -- I am participating in the #FirstLove activity at BlogAdda in association with Dabur.

Honey Diet v/s Crash Diet

Dabur Honey has recently organised a meet in Bangalore explaining the disadvantages of Crash Diets and the benefits of Honey Diet.

Google defines Crash Diet as a weight-loss diet undertaken on an urgent, short-term basis with the aim of achieving very rapid results. In other words as explained by Ms. Pooja Makhija, the elite nutritionist for celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, etc., in order to lose their weight in a very short period, people tend to undertake a restrictive meal plan which comprises of minimum amount of calories needed to sustain the human body. But there are several disadvantages of this -

First of all, during a crash diet, the body doesn't just burn off fat but it starts burning muscle tissue as well. That's like, half of the body fat is burnt while the rest half comprises of muscles which is never going to be good for the body.

Secondly, serious nutritional deficiency might start getting build up in the body which will affect the proper functioning of all organs inside. 

Thirdly, body metabolism is severely affected, resulting in slower burning of calories (which body is already getting in lesser amounts, thanks to crash diet). This hampers basic body functions like digestion and even walking, sitting and sleeping. That means body would be doing lesser and lesser activities and it would be feeling energy-deprived throughout this phase.

Fourthly, there is no guarantee or solid research that post-crashdiet, you will not gain weight or your metabolism won't get all wonky, or your hormonal senstivity (like insulin production) will remain normal.

Bottom line: Crash diets might be a quick fix, but they can also be awful, dangerous, and come with lasting negative health effects.

Now, coming to Honey Diet -

1. Honey has been described in the ancient Indian medicinal text, Ayurveda as the complete food.

2. Taking a spoonful of honey with warm water within the first hour of waking up in the morning prepares the body for the day throughout. That means, one can do any type of exercise and yoga and cut down on weight without taking up crash diet.

3. Benefits of honey: it gives you instant energy the natural way. It can't be consumed in large quantities thus restricting too much of calorie intake, and just the right amount. It's a natural and neural alternative to sugar, thus encouraging a healthier lifestyle.

4. Honey has various medicinal and therapeutic


About Dabur Honey

As informed by the Brand Manager of Dabur Honey, Mr. Shashank Sharma, their honey is procured from different farms who source it from the finest locations in Himalayas and the forests of Sunderbans. It then goes through strict quality checks before being processed using the most advanced technology available (he mentioned that they got a machine worth Rs. 4 crores for quality tests around 10 years back). The entire process happens in the most hygienic environment with no human contact with the product or the bottles. This ensures that Honey retains its natural properties and pure honey comes to the customer with the promise of good health and fitness.

Raising the question of purity, when Mr. Shashank was asked about the crystallization of honey in winters giving an indication that honey might not be 100% pure, he said that the property of natural honey is that it crystallizes but they still take care of glucose to fructose ratio (keeping it 1.4:1, I guess) so that it doesn't crystallize much even at lower temperatures. He also added that no sugar syrup is added to Dabur Honey.

P.S. -- Do visit  http://www.daburhoney.com/ for various Honey based healthy cooking recepies by chef Vikas Khanna.

Ready for Rewards: It's ME

Now that I have already analysed a RewardMe article in the previous post on one of my favourite hot topics, i.e., Work-Life Balance, I would like to provide my own insights now into the topic.

First of all, there is an absolute necessity to understand why work-life balance is required in life. Well, if you still can't guess then you are in the grave need of this. Work-life balance helps you to maintain neutrality in life and not get swept by immediate changes either at work or at home. It's true that home is LIFE, you live for your home which comprises of your dearest and loved ones, to feed them, to educate them, to secure their future; and in order to do all of this, we need to WORK so as to earn enough that we are able to afford life's basic necessities listed in the previous sentence.

One needs to understand if one keeps busy only in one aspect of this 2-sided coin, i.e., either work or life, then there will be an absolute mayhem inside your mind as well as in outside life. If you don't take work seriously, then life will be driven to the mercy of luck which is never good. Similarly, if you don't LIVE your life, then there won't be any family harmony or creative satisfaction in life outside of work.

1. Come home on time. Don't work late on daily basis. It's okay sometimes due to demanding nature of job in today's corporate culture, but only you are at fault if you make a habit of staying late daily in office.

Read this article by the Infosys great NR Narayana Murthy --> http://www.citehr.com/34364-letter-n-r-narayanamurthy-working-late.html

Moral Of The Story in the article:
* Very Clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
* Never Put In Extra Time *Unless Really Needed*
* Don't Stay Back Un-Necessarily And Spoil Your Company Work Culture, Which Will In Turn Cause Inconvenience To You And Your Colleagues. 

There Are Hundred Other Things To Do In The Evening... 

Learn Music... 

Learn A Foreign Language... 

Try A Sport... TT, Cricket..... .... 

Importantly Get A Girl Friend Or Gal Friend, Take Him/Her Around Town... 

* And For Heaven's Sake Net Cafe Rates Have Dropped To An All-Time Low
(Plus, No Fire-Walls) And Try Cooking For A Change.

It's a typical Indian mentality that working for long hours means they are very hard-working and 100% committed to the company, whereas the fact is the people who regularly sit late in the office don't know how to manage their time.

2. Give evening time to spouse and kids. Help your wife by doing simple things at home, like cutting salad if not cooking, arranging laundered clothes, teach your kids lessons from studies, etc. 

3. Give time to yourself. Read a book. Listen to music. Go outdoors alone or with family. Unwind your mind to do what you want or what you have always wanted to do. Pursue a hobby. Play sports. Learn a musical instrument, etc. etc.

Read more at --> www.rewardme.in/family

Life's Calling, Where Are You!

P.S. -- I am participating in the ‘Ready For Rewards’ activity for Rewardme in association with BlogAdda.

Ready for Rewards

Theme: Family

I came across a very good article on RewardMe website related to work-life balance. This topic has been one of the most practical things for me since I started working approx. 5 years ago in a metropolitan city. And it has been so difficult to manage my work and personal life. Personal life could be a delusion for some after having worked for more than a year in today's corporate world. The term implies to make out time for yourself and others who are important in your life, to take time out to play sports, enjoy live music, take a trip outdoors. It just not only includes watching movies on weekends, having a beer once in a while with friends. Personal life is too subtle; it goes way above than only including these things in your non-office time. Life is when you not just watch life go in front of your eyes but ENJOY life, have proper rejuvenation so that to calm mind and body from stress inherited from day-to-day job.

Here is  the article on RewardMe -->

https://www.rewardme.in/family/child-and-you/article/8-ways-to-a-work-life-balance

The blurb of the article is:

      When was the last time you took your wife on a date? Took the kids on a trip? Or had time to read a book? If you’re always busy at work, it’s time you managed your time effectively.

And the first point it discusses is --> At work, it talks about how to prioritize our job according to our own most productive hours of the day; how to schedule creative work with least distractions for better work flow; and how to keep off social media and personal calls during those hours.

The second aspect of the coin discusses --> At home, how to cut-off  time for office calls and emails; how to freshen up and give sufficient time to spouse, kids and other family members; to routinely eat together for family bonding and sharing the day; doing things at home together for others' emotional and social well-being; and most importantly, to take out time for yourself - to indulge oneself in a hobby like playing Badminton, or gardening, etc. to satisfy one's inner creative needs.

The article does a well-enough job to chalk out the important points and not getting into too much detail, just have a good time management.

Gist of the article is --> Manage your Time well and Keep your Sanity

RewardMe serves its usefulness via its product reviews. One can find n no. of product reviews here ranging in various categories, thus helping one make proper decision for his shopping needs.

P.S. -- I am participating in the ‘Ready For Rewards’ activity for Rewardme in association with BlogAdda.

Max Fresh Mov(i)e

A moment is all we are searching for, a moment in love with yourself. A moment of freshness is all we need to jump into a pool of things that otherwise just take a back seat. A road trip, a jam session or a song that is close to our heart, such pop ups have surprising and healing effect on us considering the amount of madness that we all go through in our everyday lives. It's particularly right to say that variety is the spice of life. Let's take a step ahead and also say that freshness is the fuel of life, something that we all crave. It is the one factor that keeps us going, which is why everyone looks for freshness in everything from our food to our relationships and jobs.

It is time for a Taazgi Ka Dhamaka with music.

I recommend everyone to watch the following video, where you are gonna get a shot of freshness watching Anushka's swaggy music punches and Allu Arjun's exuberant dancing steps.

Do you know there is even an Allu Arjun Dance Club for all those who admire and get mesmerized by his dancing skills. I must admit after watching this mad, crazy video of freshness, I got to say that I loved the break dance moves of the dancing superstar Allu Arjun. The ease and swiftness with which he carries out his moves when he is break-dancing inspires me to get out of my chair and start copying his steps as I feel the same emotion watching the video as he shows in his dancing here. I will be adding some of the screenshots of those breathtaking moves here. These spunky dance movies which come towards the end of the video could be used anywhere to freshen up the moment, like during a break in the middle of a boring office meeting, on dj at an informal party/occasion, etc.

Even I tried copying his neck moving steps from movie Happy where he makes fun of Genelia in some of the scenes in the feature film. I have loved his dance since then. And in the video posted above, he dances on the groovy music from none other VJ and the Viva pop girl Anushka Manchanda. Music is passion for a lot of us. It is an age-old adage that music showers universal love. The blend of rhythmic sounds and lyrics that is available in huge diversity works like magic on our senses. So is music your window to freshness? I just need to submerge myself in the rhythm divine and it brings me back to the state of liveliness after a dull, tiring day. 

I remember watching another sensational video in which Allu Arjun danced to Michael Jackson songs at Nayak audio release. He is really a performer in dancing sense. The energy he oozes out while dancing is incomparable to any other Bollywood or Tollywood or any other film industry actor. I have decided to take dancing classes in the evening from next month onwards as soon as my current swimming classes get over.

P.S. -- "I am blogging for #MaxFreshMove activity atBlogAdda in association with Colgate MaxFresh“

Buy broadband wireless router for home (without modem)

http://dl.flipkart.com/dl/d-link-dir-600m-wireless-n150-home-router/p/itmdtg79yhtrykah?pid=RTRDTG78BGXPBE3H&affid=vps3361gma

Hug your Dad... this Father's Day!

A small gesture goes a long way in letting one's father know how thankful his son is to him for everything that he has done. I do not need an expensive gift to express myself. Just need to wrap my arms around him and give him the best gift ever, a tight hug, let him know that his small gestures of love have helped me be the person I am today. Love you, Dad!

My memory is eidetic enough to remember how he taught us to do our own work. He used to provide only external help and we siblings had to complete our tasks on our own with his guidance. That was during our childhood. As we grew older and entered teenage, he started giving us outdoor tasks to perform, occasionally; To the bank, to LIC office, to local vegetable market, or a ration shop so as to make us aware how the daily life functions.

There used to be a sever water crisis in our residential neighbourhood. So initially him and me used to go on bike and get back the water filled in a 20 litre can from 2 kms away. Gradually it was me who had to shoulder the responsibility when it became ultimate necessary to complete the chores everyday, on a bicycle. He taught me and handed over one crucial responsibility of our household. These small things, they go a long way in ensuring that you know your place in the world and find your footing; he was always available to guide us through.

Whenever we got cold and/or cough, it was essentially mom's job to provide hot beverages with cinnamon and ginger, and to apply Vicks Vaporub to our chest and forehead and nose. But whenever mom was visiting her own parents, it was him who used to cook proper food for us daily and whenever we were sick, he took care of us none lesser than mom. He invited us to a park nearby after office and used to play Badminton with us. He is the primary reason I play the sport for my office now in zonal tournaments. He made me what I am, be it in academic/professional field, in sports, in person as a whole. We could never repay what our parents do for us selflessly. So, today I reach out and pay my tribute to him, by hugging him.

The best Father's Day gift is one you don't have to unwrap ... #HugYourDad

P.S. -- This father’s day, I am expressing my love towards my dad by participating in the #HugYourDad activity at BlogAdda in association with Vicks.

Hug your Dad... now!

"A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be"

A mother is like an ocean to her child while a father is the anchor of his kid's life. He held our hand as we learnt to walk. He picked us up when we were low. He gave us counsel in our darkest times. He cared for us when we were sick. He gave us a tight hug whenever we needed it. This Father's Day, I am blogging about to the ever unshakeable anchor of my life, my dad as I am really grateful for everything he has done for me. It’s time I pay him a special tribute and give him a warm hug.

I still remember from very small age how he, after coming from work in the evening, would teach and revise me every academic lesson I learnt at school. During exam times, he would often keep awake himself besides me and made sure I have practised all the examples of questions of mathematics in rough notebook. He would listen the answers to almost all questions from Science, English, Hindi, Social Studies, etc. And then only he slept even though he had to be at his office early the next day. But that never deterred him from escaping even a single minute where he could contribute towards my studies.

For all the other subjects he had to make sure either him or my mother had to listen answers so that I have had learnt all the questions to be asked in the oral or written examinations, the process continued till my 5th standard. After that, he mostly used to devote his full attention to my mathematics asking me to solve each and every question form the textbook before him, and then he used to match the answers before proceeding to next question or rebuking and slapping a little for easy mistakes. Now I feel those rebukes and slaps went a long way in transforming my studies, especially my Mathematics. This helped me in taking Non-medical after 10th board exams and finally clearing the prestigious AIEEE with AIR 3361. I have hold on to this magical number then as an integral part of my primary email id. And all that is due to him. Even he hadn't been strict about our studies and devoted himself to make sure we had all the facilities needed for studies, like emergency lantern with a mantle, no cable tv connection, etc. He has sacrificed much and now it's my time to thank him though it will never be enough.

The best Father's Day gift is one you don't have to unwrap ... #HugYourDad

P.S. -- This father’s day, I am expressing my love towards my dad by participating in the #HugYourDad activity at BlogAdda in association with Vicks.

Sock Smelly to Smiley Air

As per Nielsen Survey 2013, 80% married women believe, on the days the house smells good, the husband spends more time with family. But what one doesn't understand is one of the most common sources of odour in houses is the unclean socks.

Socks even after one day of use (full day cramped inside shoes) produce putrefying smell due to organic matter decay the whole day, which produces pungent smell when you again use them the next day and remove them in the evening. What I have been doing to avoid everyday washing of socks, me being lazy enough, is to take the socks inside out and keep them in the show with hollow mouth inside and closed mouth outside.

This has resulted in keeping the socks relatively fresh for 1-2 days but not odour-free. 

I mean, if one has a strong sense of smell, he/she wouldn't be able to tolerate the same. So, there was an urgent need of a newer solution, unlike spraying deodorants on socks. (That really leads to more smelly problems. Don't believe me, try yourself :D )

My New Solution:

A soothing fragrance can rejuvenate the senses and charm your feelings. Ambi Pur Set & Refresh Starter kit - Lavender Vanilla & Comfort, which is no ordinary air freshener (Ambi Pur Base Aerosol), is a continuous non-energized (CNE) placement product designed to continuously eliminate odours and always maintain freshness. Highly effective in small enclosed spaces, it does not just mask malodours but eradicates them completely. It replaces the odour with a natural fresh fragrance and transforms your home into a fragrant haven for up-to 50 days! A great value for money air freshener that mystifies your home into a floral, herbaceous and fresh aroma with soft comforting back notes. Complete your home with refreshing aromas and relax the senses.


Key Features:

The microporous fibres allow for sustained and effective release of the fragrant oil. The oils themselves have been chosen specifically on the basis of their character and evaporation potential. There is also an intensity regulation system integrated into the product that allows you to have complete control over the release of the fragrance. Sit back and breathe in the invigorating fragrances.

Lavender Vanilla & Comfort: A fragrance for a person who has a calm persona and affects people in a positive way. The therapeutic aromas of Lavender and Vanilla let your senses relax.

Also try our varied range of fragrances in Ambi Pur Set & Refresh and keep your home fragrant. (Fragrances - Sweet Citrus & Zest, Spring & Renewal, Blossoms & Breeze)

P.S. -- I am blogging for #SmellyToSmiley activity atBlogAdda.com in association with Ambi Pur

Smelly to Smiley home

Monsoon is coming, or rather have already come in my part of the country. Who doesn't like rains and the constant splashing of water outside. But the season is also known for a major point of dislike. Constant rains result in the dampening environment inside house also and it leads to a persistent nagging odour 24 hours. It starts with the verandah or balcony first because these parts of house are in closer touch with the moisture due to rains outside, so the odour settles in here first. And it really sucks when your nose starts clenching itself once the odour percolates to your bedroom also. Most of it is smelt either in the toilet or the bathroom of the house.

Bangalore is a constant hub of rains throughout the year, but monsoon makes it really difficult because this is that odour period for our nostrils. Forget about the guests, it really stifles for the family members. The only solution that comes to mind when someone is visiting during this period is to get a room freshener and half-empty it spraying everywhere in the house. But, as everyone knows, it doesn't do much positive in this regard. Of course your room would start smelling flowery but still your nostrils will catch that nagging damp odour, thus making the room freshener only half successful as it just covers the odour, it doesn't remove it per se.

But now AmbiPur claims to convert our home from Smelly to Smiley

Fragrances have mood altering properties and reflect specific memories. Ambi Pur Air Effects Blossoms and Breeze Aerosol Air Freshener, does not just mask malodours but eradicates them completely. It replaces the odour with a natural fresh fragrance and transforms your home into a fragrant haven! A great value for money spray that has a mild non-obtrusive mist appealing to both, men and women can create refreshing memories. It takes you to a time when you can just throw your windows open to the fresh and uplifting fragrance of budding blossoms and green fields. Spritz the fragrance in your home and let it work its magic.


Key Features:

This handheld air freshener, has unique odour fighting ingredients & an innovative environment friendly, non-flammable, water based nitrogen propellant system, which helps the fragrance last long. It dispenses the fragrance in a natural mist form and refreshes the environment by genuinely eliminating trapped odours.

Blossoms & Breeze: The fragrance for personalities that radiate gentleness and approachability. It mystifies your home into your garden of Eden giving cool and positive energy.

(Other available Fragrances - Sweet Citrus & Zest, Lavender Vanilla & Comfort, Spring & Renewal, New Zealand Springs, Thai Dragon Fruit and Hawaiian Flowers).

P.S. -- I am blogging for #SmellyToSmiley activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Ambi Pur