Yes I’m a female…and a human too….

It is not an easy road to be a female. It is a formidable task as the society took generations to be the way it is. And still it has not been able to alter its judgmental temperament. If you are single female, more than your parents your so called near and dear ones & relatives will  haunt you by queries as to when do you plan to attain the ‘matrimonial bliss’. Once you are married they want to know if there is a ‘bun in the oven’ as yet. If you have a baby, then you are a vile and selfish parent if you do not intend to get a sibling for your off spring. “Jise aap vese hi badi mushkil se paal pose kar bada kar rahe ho”.

If you are married don’t think you have been saved from the agony and pangs. There is a universally laid out path, which if tread, will lead you to ‘being settled’ and probably fulfill the very purpose of your existence. Get married, then bear children and eventually sacrifice your  career goals to be the epitome of sacrifice and be a devoted mother, a perfect home maker, a good daughter in law, in case Career is still  left ,be perfect at your workplace. “Boss ek dusari tarah ki Saas hoti hai”.

­­So, the expectations keep soaring and it is exhausting to keep pace with them. Expectations like perfect homemaker were passed on to her from our patriarchal society. . Some expectations like being a good mother were her own. She felt that, that was her prime responsibility. To look after the house it’s her responsibility. To cook of course it’s her. Laundry, why even I’m asking it? Of course it’s her, her & her. But did anyone tell her that this is an expectation from a father and a husband too… that she could ask him to help her. This is a story of lot of women in our society; they get tired and age faster than they should. .

Today many men want their partners to be working as it helps to improve their living standards and also to ease their own burden of earning for the entire family. When with these additional roles, we are changing the expectation from women, why not expect the same from men too?

Why as a wife I’m expected  to be a perfect mother, perfect home maker, cook the best meal, go for children PTM, come back home on time from work, have good career, maintain  figure and do conscious grooming of kids, make their children do homework and the list is endless. Has anyone ever realised how much pressure a woman feels?

So many issues of women juggling with multiple roles are leading her to  stress & anxiety, inability to sleep properly, constant complaint of fatigue and tiredness. How can I forget timeless famous one headache? Lack of interest in sex.

Simple solution to this is, hire a “full time life line”, I mean maid. However, this will just reduce her work, not mental stress. So have realistic expectations from yourself. After all you are even human being. Seek help from family and spouse: It’s ok to ask your spouse to help. Make your husband your best friend. Don’t be afraid to set your expectations from your family. Let the family share your burden including your child. Don’t feel embarrassed to admit the thing that you can’t do.

Let’s take the first step towards being Female and human too…

 

 

 

 

Home Remedies..Going Organic..

The purpose of this post is to get these remedies written recorded. Remedies  passed from one generations to next ,from Grand mothers to Mothers, to their daughters. Few quick  and handy ones are here.

       

ASTHMA SYRUP- (Get rid of asthma and bed cough)

Ingredients:

1. Four cloves (crushed)
2. Two black pepper (crushed)
3. Two pinches turmeric powder.
4. Little ginger taste.
5. Sugar for taste.

METHOD: All the above ingredients mixed in two glasses milk and boil it to half (one glass) on low flame(Approx. 40 minutes) filter and drink when cooled. Repeat the process on 3^RD   5^TH    7^TH 9^TH AND   11^TH Day.For children below 7 years use half the quantity.

 

LIVER TONIC

Liver become weak after jaundice, typhoid, and chronic diseases and with intake of strong medicines. The liver also gets inflamed due to intake of excess alcohol and other addictions, resulting swelling and pain.

To increase strength of liver, take quarter spoon (two pinches) of liver tonic mixture and boil in 100 ml of water for two minutes, cool and filter. Add sugar (optional) for taste and drink after breakfast. Take once a day for 90 days. No alcohol during the course.

 

 

MIGRAINE 

 

Symptoms include throbbing pain on both sides of the head. Plus nausea, vomiting dizziness, light sensitivity or blurry vision, lasting from 30 minutes to three four hours.

LEMON GRASS TEA- INGREDIENTS

1. One dried lemon grass blade (hammered)
2. One green cardamom with husk (crushed)
3. Little ginger paste.

Preparation: Add all the above ingredients to three cups of water and boil it for 3 to 4 minutes, filter and sip it for two to three times a day (sugar optional)continue for 30 to 45 days and get total relief from migraine (continue if required.)

 

 

ANGINA PECTORIS ( Ischemic Chest Pain)

Boil one tea spoon fenugreek in one and half cups of water. Strain and add two spoon of honey. Take twice daily for six months. Continue for six months after a gap of six months i.e. six months a year.

 

LEMON- GRASS OIL

Helps in acne, open pores good tonic for skin improves muscle tone slack tissue an excellent anti-depressant. It fortifies nervous system and relieves stress.

Mix two drops of lemon grass oil over 10/15 drops of almond oil and message the face before going to bed.

 

 

GET RID OF “PSORIASIS”

Mix Neem oil, Cade oil and lavender oil in equal quantities and apply (gently massage) on affected skin once a day for six months. Continue if required.

 

 

WEIGHT REDUCTION -“Why shouldn’t you worry about gaining a few extra pounds? Fat people are harder to kidnap”. Still if you are taking that risk of going slim here is the remedy.

Still motivated to shed some extra pounds…

BOTANICAL NAMES OF HERBS

HERB                                                   BOTANICAL NAME                             PART USED

Gulvel                                                  Tinospora Cordifolia                           Stem

Gudmar                                               Gymnema Sylvester                            Leaves

Vijaysar                                               Pterocarpus Marsupium                     Bark

Jamun                                                  Eugenia Jambolana                             Seed

Nagarmotha                                        Cyperus Rotundus                              Roots

Vavding                                               Embelia Ribes                                         Fruits

INSTRUCTION- Take half spoon of slimming powder in a glass pour (boiled and cooled).Water in a glass, mix well keep covered over night. After breakfast stir well and drink. Avoid coco products.

 

 

ALLERGIES

Lime is an effective remedy for any type of allergy. Take half a lime juice with a spoonful of honey in a glass of lukewarm water. First thing in the morning for three (3) months and get rid of all types of Allergies.

 

DEPRESSION

Powder seeds of Cardamom can be boiled in water with tea and taken to remedy mental depression.

 

 

DIABETES

Eating five (5) curry leaves every morning for three months is said to prevent diabetes due to hereditary  factors.

 

TULSI OIL (SWEET BASIL)

 

Cardiac pain, bed cold influenza, low blood pressure:Two drops of tulsi oil mixed with one tsp of pure honey once a day for 30 days.Twice or thrice a week for 6 months.

 

UNPLEASANT BODY ODOUR

One drop of Tulsi oil in one tea cup of water and drink every  morning for 30 days. (avoid meat and foods rich in protein)

 

 

ECZEMA

It can be cured. Mix equal quantity neem  oil and cade oil and apply on affected skin in the morning and only neem oil In the evening for 3 months. Continue if required.

 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Mix one tsp cumin seeds powder in two tea spoons of coconut oil or plain water and milk. Drink the mixture every morning for fifteen days. Two time a week for next three months.

 

ABDOMINAL PAIN (Cramps)

A pinch of turmeric powder to be mixed in one tsp of pure honey and drink two time a day for three to four days.

 

Some more remedies that I will keep sharing till then try out these ones.

 

 

Single Parenting

Parenting- almost all alone…

I happily left my dream job, for the better nurturing of my child. I thought now finally after four years of married life, we will get a chance to stay together and “play ghar-ghar”. Where did I know what is coming my way. My dear husband got selected for UN mission. In normal circumstances you ‘feel over the moon’ about such news. But in my case ‘I fell from the moon’. How..? I was left to do ‘Single Parenting’ (though it doesn’t fit the classical definition of single parenting).

Please… it’s not a tragic story, though I may be sounding melodramatic.

Well my doll was just one year old when my hubby left for UN. I was ‘happy-sad’, but busy with motherhood. This phase still didn’t trouble me much, since I was gradually discovering how to make things work.

Soon I realized the most difficult task in the world is being a mother. How many times I remembered my mother during these times I seriously don’t remember, but I started respecting her multi folds, raise to the power of infinity!!! That’s all I can say. My Mom had to look after four of us (me and my siblings), her office work and a spoilt son of her mother-in-law as well…Phew…!!!!!!! How did she manage all this?

I thought I have to do it, but in my ways …let my child be not a hurdle anywhere rather a companion and a friend. I will just not speak anything about the negatives of single parenting. I will share the positives of being a single parent. I share a strong mother child bonding with my daughter, I have nurtured her with the thought that we both are best friends and we need to discuss so many things daily like what happens in school, what her friends had to say. Even when she was just a toddler I use to keep speaking to her.

I’m making her aware about importance of community. Let it be my domestic help, my Gardner, laundry person, her school teacher, and her class mates.  I want her to mingle around with everyone and not hinder her growing years, for her understanding and interpreting things in her own way.

I let her share the responsibilities with me, it may be as simple as helping me lay the table, or fetching grocery. She even helps me to pair up the right shoes for my attire. She is aware that she needs to keep her books back in the bag, collect her toys and put them back after playing; it would reduce some work for her mom.

I mean it’s amazing to see your little one speaking with so much of maturity and innocence at the same time. I have been trying to teach her since childhood that we should not be wasting food, water and electricity. One day she tells my sister “aapko pata hai mere Appa(Dad) ko itni mehnat karni padi hai tab hum electricity ka bill dete hai, so please don’t waste it”!!

The other day I took a peep in the kitchen to see what does she do with the leftover food, and I was amazed to hear what she said, “sorry food meine aapko waste kiya, per can’t overeat, it’s bad”.

 I felt so happy that I’m able to give her my best. I’m a role model in her life. She aspires to be like me, the way I conduct myself, my habits and of course she wants to join Army like her mother for the time being, till the time she is grown up enough to understand her choice of career and pursue her interest.

In a way I’m able to give her stress free environment, since my dear husband is guarding the borders, we hardly have any quarrels or heated arguments that can be disturbing and have stressful impact on the kid.

But it’s not that simple as it seems to be. In ‘Single parenting’ you have to strike the right balance between your unconditional love and being strict and disciplined. It’s really frustrating sometimes. I have been tackling it with my few ground rules that works for me.

I have set a routine for her, which she has to follow. Just that on Sundays, even I go lazy.

I pamper myself at a spa. It’s a stress buster. But I don’t forget to get her along and let her enjoy in the game zone where she can have a blast while my spa is on. Of course after this we are partners in crime as we go out for shopping.

I have my unconditioned love and positive attention for her. I try and make the best of the time together, doing some activity, puzzle solving, coloring and even sometimes become a patient when she is a doctor.

 I praise her for her good deeds and try and not even pay attention to any tantrum that she throws sometimes to pester me for something. One of the most important thing that I have learned that we need to tell them is “No”. Every wish of theirs’ can’t be fulfilled just because her father is not there to pamper her. Children need to learn this and grow emotionally strong.

Also, one can’t be praising them for everything. If it’s an ugly looking painting that they have painted, then it has to be conveyed to them without discouraging them. They need to learn about failures, if I may call it so, right from the start.

I have almost another one year, before we start our normal family life again. Till then, I’m enjoying parenting all alone. The best part is that my four year old daughter is now my best friend too.

 

Know your Food..

We all want to go Organic now a days, so the first step towards it is to know your food. Ayurveda has its historical roots in the Indian Sub-continent. We are keeping the Unani medicine culture alive from the Era of Mughals. So I feel going Organic is all about  going back to our roots,after all ‘healthy body possess health mind’.

Of course you know all these herbs that I’m telling you, its just that before I give you some homemade tonic/syrups recipes want us to understand how useful these simple beautiful looking herbs are.

BASIL (TULSI) – Has bactericidal properties, is an anti fungal, reduces fever, throat infections, stops earache, is good for malaria and liver abscess and when crushed with honey, cures bronchitis. Soothes bites and stings. The essential oils found in tulsi, effectively act on our respiratory system”. It is rich in antioxidants which help in mitigating stress and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure. 

CORIANDER- Its anti-fungal actions aids digestion and alleviates allergies and fever. It also decongests the liver and eases cystitis. The health benefits of coriander include its use in the treatment of skin inflammation, high cholesterol levels, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, anemia, indigestion, menstrual disorders, smallpox, conjunctivitis, skin disorders, and blood sugar disorders, while also benefiting eye care.

FENUGREEK- Useful for relieving constipation, lowering cholesterol and reducing blood sugar levels. Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases, Treats Digestive & roundworm Problems It also soothes cough, fever, sores throat and provides Relief from Menstrual Cramps. Fulfill Iron Deficiency. It makes Skin Smooth it is used on the face as a face pack in order to get free from the pimples, blackheads, scar, wrinkles etc. Makes Hair Shiny and Strong Adding fenugreek in the diet or applying its paste on the hair makes hair more shiny, strong, long and black also treats Hair Thinning and Hair Fall Problems.

Okay let me give out the most wanted tips for half the population of world , who are tackling Obesity and over weight issues.I’m no ways claiming that this will end all your problems but it helps you a lot. 

Maintains Weight-Chewing the soaked methi seeds with empty stomach in the early morning makes the stomach full and suppress appetite due to the natural soluble fibers available in the in the fenugreek seeds. In this way it helps in the weight management strategy.

FENNEL SEEDS( Saunf);  appetizer, carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-emetic, purgative  it is widely used as a home remedy to treat various health disorders Pitta, cough, gas, bloating and other stomach and respiratory problems.  Provides Relief from Constipation.

GINGER – A cleanser it is good for cough, cold, indigestion, travel sickness, morning sickness, Arthritis pain and circulatory problems.

GARLIC-  A potent anti-bacterial agent. It is effective against cold, skin problems and digestive disorders.

Check out my next post for some home remedies for various problems.. 

Almost there…while creating a life

Second Trimester
Eat healthy, whatever you feel like. Don’t keep yourself wanting for food, it may drool the child once born.(esa maine sunna tha…per why take a chance). I’m not asking to get moon, just get me dragon fruit, capers, avocados, Haagen Dazs Belgian chocolate ice-cream.he he he…
By the mid of 2nd trimester in fact in 18-19th week a scan is done called Anomaly Scan. It’s a must do. It tells if the child is normal in growth or not .Do not delay and let it not pass to 20th week. Tell your doctor to call your hubby inside & let him see the first glimpse of his drawing on the screen. Doctor will be able to show the foetus limbs, though you are hardly able to make out anything still it’s a moment to be lived together. Take a copy of the scan & paste it in your personal file. Excuse me , pehle doctor ko toh dikha dena. This scan also gives you a more accurate date of child’s birth.
Please see to it that you are wearing loose clothes, keeping happy, keeping yourself busy, reading good books, not watching horror movies or Mahabharata (esa log kehte hai, why to take a chance, math karna tum bhi…)
Select a song that can be made a lullaby once the child is born and it should be heard most of the times in the day as your alarm, your ringtone and especially while sleeping. It was handy for my daughter Vaidehi. I had kanda shrasthi, its devotional song of 20 minutes and believe you me she actually recognizes that song and sleeps also, at least 7 times out of 10 what more you want.
Your choice of food may change drastically, keep a tag of it because these may be the liking of your child. I liked weird stuff which I didn’t liked otherwise like Guava, South Indian food………. ufffffffffff……….all my North Indian genes were suppressed by my South Indian Husband.(No joke seriously..ha ha ha…)
Must eat Pomegranates, Apples, Beetroot, Carrots, and Salads… (Proper salads not that ki salad mein maine aaj cucumber khaya) Coconut water, Milk twice and ghee only in chapattis.
Now the most beautiful thing is going to happen, one fine day you will start feeling something rolling inside your stomach. It’s nothing but first movements of your child. You will go mad as you feel a little tickle and will feel over the moon. As of now only u can feel the movements. From 5th month on wards try and go for small walks after meals. Keep working to stay active and healthy. It helps a lot.
Maintain your pregnancy chart, there should be gain in weight every time you go for checkups. By now as prescribed by doctor you should start calcium and iron tablets even. No other medicine for anything so this is the time you can be little relaxed and even get little naughty but to your convenience.

Third trimester:

By now you would start taking shape of a cute little pumpkin. In 7th month an important scan is there it’s a must do. It tells you the ETA(estimate time of arrival) of your little one, position of child, its weight, its sex. You can ask everything from the Dr except the sex determination, since it will not be a very pleasant to see you waving to your child from behind the bars. So let the curiosity be maintained for the ‘D’ day.                                         37th week is the internal checkup for the lady in which gynecologist examines the patient if her uterus is opening up for birth. This is the first time you actually feel you are about to deliver.
Keep monitoring your blood pressure, it should not shoot up. Now is the time once you are in 8th month that you can have loads of ghee & rich food as in dry fruits, shrikhand and what all you like.                                                                                                                                     Gaining weight is not a problem in pregnancy but then your feet starts swelling up making movements difficult, dip your feet in Luke warm water with salt in it, keep legs in resting position rather hanging. Get a pair of new dress stitched do not try to fit in your old clothes, it may irritate you. Wear loose comfortable slippers. Take adequate rest.                  Talk to your child in the womb he /she can hear you recognize your voice and your touch. Involve your hubby in the activity. Fathers don’t feel father till the time child is not born. Once the child is born then you become like a second grade citizen to him and you have to remind him main abhi yahi hoon…
As your pregnancy progresses keep your fingers crossed child should not get born in 8th month simply because growth is still left. Once 8th month is over, start preparing your maternity bag for hospital.
In which u will require your 2 maternity gown, sweater, socks, shawal, cap, slippers, sanitary things, and cotton handkerchiefs. After the delivery cover yourself well do not have cold water after delivery. You will feel very thirsty.
Before delivery get yourself shaved off, trim your nails ,get a nice facial done, get haircut done in a manageable pony because after delivery for first three months forget everything in fact get ready for sleepless nights.
For baby: cotton nappy, warm clothes, sweater, cap, vest is a must, blanket, wet baby wipes, wrapping cloth only cotton. Remember you have give baby the same amount of warmth that it was getting in your womb.
Note please do not shop lot of zero size clothes, it hardly comes handy for one or two month.
Do not make the child wear diapers before 3 months, along with diapers don’t for get to buy diaper rash cream .As of now Huggies is one of the best diaper.( since it’s the Indian version, not applicable to friends delivering abroad.)

After delivery:
Must follow – Once you are out of delivery room first thing to do is give your first milk to the child, it doesn’t come on its own you have to press the nipple and feed it into the child’s mouth since the child is equally clueless. Time and again child is to be fed in 2 hrs gap. Make sure the child passes urine on the same very day if not tell the doctor.
Now let me give you some nanni maa’s advices which is all up to you to follow or not .Eat daliya (porridge) on the first day. Have boiled ajawain water for first 40 day. You will not feel hungry but feed yourself well to recoup yourself as well as to feed your little one, and please for heaven sake if the doctor doesn’t gives you some ointment for your stitches buy it from outside.. First 40 days just use warm water for hand washing, PP but for bathing only cold water…… ha ha ha…….. OK seriously water should be hot and do not add cold water to hot water (sharir mein bai beith jayegi). Who is this Bai by the way………???
Oil your head with Nanni maa’s secret recipe  mustard oil(boil one complete bulb of garlic peeled off,one spoon ajawain(Ajowan caraway) in mustard oil (1 litre),keep boiling it on low flames and once cooled down store it for head massage and body massage).
Do not sit for long to entertain visitors,speak less, watch television is not advisable. Tie your stomach with a cotton ready made belt or a cotton sari.
You should also have dry fruit soup… (Recipe: soak dryfruits over night approx 15 almonds, 3 chuwarra( dry dates),magaj,10 Raisin,5 Cashew Nut. Grind them next morning add one spoon ghee to the cauldron,add zeera(cumin seeds) and add this paste ,to make it liquid add milk & sugar if required. serve it hot.)
Have panjari as and when you feel(Recipe: Roast all the dry fruits in ghee(mkhaney,almonds,cashew nut) raisins not to b fried.Fry small quantity of goond, and kamarkus separately, n grind them in mixer separately.Fry required quantity of aata(wheat flour) in small quantity of ghee let it fry golden brown.Add sounth, i.e dry ginger powdered in small qty.
Prepare a sugar syrup just upto its starts giving doo taar. Take a big utensil & add all the ingredients mentioned above.( kumarkus and dry ginger in small qty ). Keep adding sugar syrup to it then take Thali(Flat plates) spread it . Level it to some thickness so that it’s easy for cutting. this has to be done when everything is hot. Once you have spread the mix on thali let it cool down till 6-7 hrs n then cut it in desirable sizes n store it in container but not in fridge. Further if any doubt is there inbox me.
Now you have to make it a routine that you have powdered sounth & ajwain(Ajowan caraway)daily twice with warm water.
Fry almonds n makhane in ghee add salt to taste, keep having them at least for first forty days… Later on I will tell you GM diet, jokes apart….. You have to recope your body and feed little one so take care of your health.
Have moong dal with zeera and ghee…….. Try and manage homemade ghee….
Have Vermicelli salted or sweet but keep having something…..
That’s all  I can tell you as of now…….Good luck n enjoy your sleepless nights..
May god bless you with a healthy normal child…
If you follow my tips the end result is shown in the pictures below……
Love loads
Maggie…

While creating a life..

                                    GOD COULD NOT BE EVERYWHERE SO HE MADE MOTHERS 

 Welcome to the mothers’ fraternity….. The fun is yet to begin…….

These are no thumb rules, these are just my experiences while creating a life….

Firstly, be mentally prepared that you want to plan a family; gone are the days when ‘bacchey ho jaatey tey’…….

Your body should be in a healthy state, so stay fit and eat healthy…

Secondly, the child should be the outcome of your love and not an obligation to fulfill . Don’t get depressed or take any tension & don’t get irritated with hubby (Yeh ‘species’ hai hee idiotic!!), as it may affect your chances of conceiving.

Lastly the most important one, don’t panic or get depressed if the result is not positive in the first attempt. After all u are creating life n not egg scrambles…… ki bus ek hi baari mein ban jayenge….

Monitor your cycles, if required have folic acid tablets, still getting concerned toh get i-pill test kit to know your fertility days. If still feeling worried, then you are mad……..

First trimester once you have conceived:

For the first time when you miss your period, do a test after one week of the missed date by home pregnancy kit…….. Before you announce this news that you have conceived a cub, please go and get a urine test done with a doctor and let him confirm for you……. And then as breaking news tell it to your husband……

By this time you are already in your second month. You have to be little more careful for the first four months. Dr says 3 but since it’s my tips so its 4!…okay now let me start my briefing. As soon as you come to know that you are pregnant, first thing you do is to thank  God & your hubby for blessing you this happiness & then tell only to the near & dear ones whom u cannot avoid.

You may now start having lot of laziness in you……. pamper yourself….. sleep well even if you want to sleep for eight hrs in the day & eight hrs in the night!!…. just go ahead…… take lot of rest n take break from work… by now your morning sickness would also start & if you are  lucky it might not ….

You will start puking but you have to have your three meals compulsorily, since fetus is like a parasite( of course i know that it’s not the most appropriate word here!!)  who feeds on to u.

Necessary to follow:

Milk, coconut water, fruits, eggs and anything that u r feeling that you  are eating and digesting well and not throwing up. Remember you are not sick or ill, its just few major changes that’s going on inside your body which are giving you all the mood swings,laziness,puking,aches and pains.. etc .. etc…

Worship God daily – it’s a must.

Don’t eat or drink….

…spicy food, junk food, tea, aerated drinks,  hard drinks, dry fruits and no cigarettes….Don’t means don’t……..

In first four months you might  lose some weight. Nothing to worry, all you have to do is avoid doing any kind of exercise, wear loose airy cotton clothes, take complete rest, avoid falling, avoid lifting any heavy item and take folic acid tablet as prescribed by the doctor.

Mornings will be difficult from getting up to brushing…. be lazy….. Even if you want to be very active, “toh bhi  vo furti nahi aati iss waqt’……. Aaah I’m so tired….well  try it yourself.  Once you brush you will start feeling puckish empty stomach……… so avoid using brush. Use finger for first four months…… don’t even think of kissing your hubby…… he may die of bad breath…… ha ha ha….. and now you are about to become the fart queen…… You will have lot of gas problem at this stage, but that’s normal… it happens to all. No need to take any medicine….. bus mehka do saare ghar ko….. ha ha ha..

Eat your breakfast…. you will not feel like eating much. So space out your meals…… eat at regular intervals……..but don’t forget  milk….. chaloooooooo   piyooooooooooooooo…. ese banogi mummy…

Free advises will start pouring from everywhere. Don’t listen to all & start experimenting …… Everybody is different & react differently to the changes happening inside you…. But don’t experiment with your child on crucial aspects. Only refer to good books or your mother and finally  ‘mein toh tips dey hi rahi hoon’……….he he he……

If you find something grossly wrong (bleeding, dehydrated) then only contact your doctor otherwise just chill…

Now a very important thing that you have to do is make a list of all the things you were wishing to buy…… & give it to your hubby & tell him that doctor said….’I have to be kept happy so as to keep the growing fetus happy…… since mother & child are connected’.

Go for your monthly checkup & visit only one doctor regularly. Post first trimester, u will be little  relaxed and u will start enjoying; I mean by eating ,going out but no late night parties since you need rest as well…….. You can go driving from your 2nd trimester onward.

Once you are in fourth month, start eating a little extra for your little one. In morning have almonds soaked over night in water  & milk with few strands of ‘kesar’.  But don’t try this before second trimester. In ur search for ‘Kesar’, please don’t get whole of Kashmir dug out… just take from some authentic shop…. Eat healthy & rich food..

An important scan is done at the end of third trimester. Do not miss it, it would give your approximate due date.

Second trimester…….to be continued in my next post….  till then celebrate womanhood……

 

Discovering India – In district Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Discovering India – In district Aurangabad, Maharashtra you will have lot to explore. The Ajanta & Ellora caves near Aurangabad which boasts of the glorious architectural experiments for Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks and devotees. These caves are fascinating archaeological legacies.

The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments. The creation of the World Heritage Monuments at Ajanta started in 2nd century BC tracing the entire journey of the evolution of Buddhist architecture.Be prepared to walk a lot, forgetting your selfies and actually trying to capture photograph of  each and every cave,to explore and be enthralled .

The Ellora Cave is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple caves complexes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, Ellora Caves are an impressive and slightly less dramatic setting than those at Ajanta, but more exquisite sculpture.The saving grace here is way to many caves is motor-able,so if you  have your own vehicle its good or you can hire auto rickshaws just available outside, all you need to have is awesome bargaining skills..

The Daulatabad Fort has survived the ravages of time without any need for restoration. Though it requires a serious effort to climb up the fort, but once you get there, the breath-taking view of the landscape will prove to be worthy of the hardship. This majestic fort comprises a number of monuments within its structure, such as Jami Masjid, Chand Minar, Bharatmata Mandir, the Elephant Tank and the “Chini Mahal” or the Chinese Palace. It is an absolutely thrilling experience trying to conquer the fort which was once impenetrable. Daulatabad Fort is a masterpiece of an intelligent architecture. Spending a day at this fort will definitely make you proud of the Indian history!

Quick tips- Start early to avoid crowd and to be back before its dark.Wear comfortable footwear ,drink sufficient water and  carry food along.Take adequate breaks while climbing.Prefer taking a local guide or keep a copy of the Daulatabad Fort Guide handy with  you so that you don’t lose your way.

 Bibi Ka Maqbara– The burial place of Aurangzeb’s wife, Bibi ka Maqbara was built by Aurangzeb’s son, in the memory of his mother, Rabia-Durrani. Built exactly like the Taj Mahal, However, there is no use of semi-precious stones, the major detail in which it differs from the Taj Mahal giving it its colloquial name – “the poor man’s Taj Mahal”. 

Panchakki water mill– Panchakki, also known as the water mill, takes its name from the mill which used to grind grain for the pilgrims. A tourist attraction to see how it use to function in olden days.Doesn’t take much as it’s on the way to bibi ka Maqbara.

Of course when i’m writing the shopping element has to be there  ,check out the Handlooms  for Carpet, Curtains, Mats at  Aurangabad Himroo Fabrics Industry.

Patronage of handloom weaving, and consequently, the handloom industry Aurangabad, Paithan and also Manufacturer and Exporters of Handloom Product, Textile Products offered by Aurangabad Cottage Industry.

 

 

Discovering India- Goa

Looking out for a Goa Holiday during the not so peak season of September- October.

Marquis Beach Resort a 3 star property quite abode of peace and tranquility nested in the picturesque Candolim in North Goa is a place you can checkout out to stay.

I would rate it 3.5 out of 5.

Price reasonable with all the facilities one can be looking for as a couple or travelling with a child.

It provides you with comfortable rooms, neat and nicely done up. Wi Fi , a swimming pool, laundry service, restaurant within its premises. Service is prompt & good. Restaurant has some real nice variety of cuisines; Breakfast Buffet is complementary and got a nice spread.  I would rate it again 3.5 on the scale of 5.

 Best thing is the location of the Resort and so is the name, its bang on beach. Right from your rooms you can go for a stroll on the beach. Sit in the elevated structure specially designed to enjoy the breeze and feel romantic about the whole thing, where you can hear waves hitting the shore and few ships with its twinkling lights.

 Unlike the other time of the year you will not be able to enjoy much of the beach because of high tides but you can always enjoy life along the shacks on Calangute beach with some loud music, snack and your drink.

 Since its North Goa it’s always full of life.

It would be really criminal coming to Goa and not going to Tito’s the happening place-Discotheque, different energy all together & ladies enjoy the most of it on Wednesdays.

 Of course you are checking out the Casinos there. Casino Pride or Deltin Royale and more as your pocket allows must go to feel the gambling vibes.

 In Goa u badly feel that you should get yourself inked and believe you me the best possible place considering anything price, designs and precision.

 Must go places to enjoy the amazing sea food on your platter are Fishermans Cove, Earthen Oven, Grills & Curries were few still on top of my mind.

 Places in Goa which I feel are worth watching though got a long list – Dona Paula for Birds –eye Scenery.Fort Aguada for the view of Panjim city, Basillica of Bom Jesus its UNESCO World Heritage site , Dudhsagar Falls also can be clubbed with the Sahyadri spice garden trip, Our lady of Immaculate conception Church.

 Trip can’t be complete till the time you shop a bit for yourself. Calangute Baazar or as localities say Tibetan market which caters for some real and not so real jewelry thing.  Anjuna Flea Market or an alternative to the sweltering Wednesday afternoon, the Saturday Night Market , Arpora makes the most of the pleasant Goan evenings.

 Also you need to walk down the market between Calangute and Baga beach to pick few souvenirs from Tito’s lane. Goa can surprise you again if visiting South Goa. Enjoy vacationing and exploring beaches..

Life so far….

Hello Everyone…   I’m Meenakshi Gupta, more ‘famous’ by my nick name, Maggie.
A fun loving person…love to travel.. a hardcore foodie….. and a self acclaimed amazing cook!!!  I love experimenting, whether it’s my looks, my food, my work or parenting.

An alumni of Officers Training Academy, Chennai and Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad.
Happily married to the olive green…. my long distance Ex boyfren…

Would love to share my experiences and knowledge about Healthy Food Recipes ,Exploring India more for shopping , Gardening and a few tips about Fashion and Jewellery…

Looking forward for everyone’s love and support…

Of course by now one thing you know about me……..that i’m my favorite….. ha ha ha…. keep smiling and spread happiness…….Life is so beautiful…