Sindhu Vinod Narayan

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Spicy cow peas kurma – no onion no garlic

With dussehra a lot many of us were into fasting, some didn’t take non vegetarian food and few like me wanted to take food without onion and garlic.

Not only for dussehra but also for certain auspicious days we tend to avoid adding onion and garlic to food. In South India, typically during the month of Purattasi ( mid September to mid October) people generally give up non vegetarian food cause of devotion to Lord Narayana and it’s an auspicious month.

These ten days during dussehra, I avoided added any onion and garlic to food and didn’t consume any outside food.

Dinner options were getting very limited. For lunch I planned to make the neivedhyam ( offering) for the day , which would become our lunch as well. A variety rice paired with boiled and tempered lentils also known as Sundal in the south. This would be offered to the God and kolu at homes.

But dinner for a big headache. For a person like me who tries including if not garlic but onion in most dishes, cooking during these days was challenging. That is when I started whipping out recipes without onion and garlic. Believe me they tasted equally good. I’m here giving you a recipe of a kurma that has no onion and garlic, but had lipsmacking taste. This goes well with rotis, phulkas, plain rice and even pulaos.

Ingredients

Cow peas – 100 GM’s
Tomato – 2 chopped into chunks roughly
Red chilli whole – as per your spice level
Potatoes – boiled, peeled and cubed
Cloves -2
Cinnamon -1′ piece
Cardamom -2 pods
Ginger – 1/2′ piece
Turmeric powder -1 tbsp
Shredded coconut – 4 tbsp
Salt – as per taste
Oil for tempering and sautéing
Cumin seeds -1 tbsp
Bay leaf -1
Saunf / fennel seeds -1 tbsp
Cashew – 4-5 pieces
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Method

Soak cashew , cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, saunf in hot water for 20 minutes.
In a pan add oil saute tomato chunks, red chilli and ginger piece.
Once cooked until mushy ,cool it.
Once cooled add mushy tomatoes, soaked ingredients, shredded coconut and turmeric powder to blender and blend them smooth.
Dry roast cow peas in pan for about 3-4 minutes until you get slightly roasted aroma.
Boil it in pressure cooker with water and salt for about 5 whistles.
Release steam, cool drain and keep aside.
In a pan temper cumin seeds and add tomato masala paste.
Saute for a while add little salt.
Give it a light boil.
Add cooked cow peas and potato.
Mix it with the gravy, adjust consistency with water.
Boil for 5 minutes in simmer until you get kurma consistency.
Adjust salt.
Turn off gas ,add lemon juice ,mix and serve garnished with coriander leaves.

The quantity of ingredients mentioned above is for two people. You can scale up as per need.

The kurma is spicy cause of red chilli and ginger, with a light tinge of tanginess fro the lemon juice.

The kurma is a great side to rotis, phulkas, plain rice and pulaos. Do try out and let me know.

Cooking without onion and garlic is not difficult and there are lipsmacking recipes that taste equally good. I will be sharing a couple more if such recipes.

I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa.

October 24, 2020October 24, 2020

Charcoal for skin? Why should you choose Supersmelly?

What is activated charcoal?

A form of carbon that has low volume pores but can increase surface area for adsorption.

Why is it used in Skincare?

As mentioned above it could magnify the amounts of absorption and there by bring out dirt and impurities from skin. So skin looks clear and dirt free. This is why, activated charcoal finds it’s place is a wide range of skincare and personal care items.

Benefits of activated charcoal for skin

Removes impurities

Since activated charcoal can absorb out toxins from body, the masks can help remove dirt and impurities from skin.

Reduces acne

Collection of sebum(facial oil) in skin pores can make them clog as a result of which you could see acne breakouts. Activated charcoal helps to bring out the excess oil from the pores and keeps them free.

Reduces oiliness

Activated charcoal helps in removing dead skin cells by exfoliation and helps in absorbing excess oil present in skin, there by reducing oiliness in skin.

Doesn’t adsorb vitamins

Though activated charcoal helps in clearing out toxins from skin, it doesn’t adsorb the needed vitamins and nutrients. Therefore skin remains healthy in a natural way.

Doesn’t cause allergy

Due to the nature of being inert, activated charcoal doesn’t call any allergies and most importantly it suits sensitive skin.

About the brand Supersmelly

Founded by a Super mom, Dipali Mathur Dayal and her friend Milan Sharma. Dipali Washington shocked to see the labels when she went to pick a deodorant for her tween. The ingredients listed made her think that this is not what teens would want. They need products that are all natural , safe and effective to use and not some pesticide in attractive labels and catchy bottles.

The brand name absolutely makes your head turn and ask many questions. One answer that is all the more satisfactory to give you a go and make you pick it up , they’re India’s first brand of natural and toxin free personal care products for tweens and teens.

Bright and glow regime from Supersmelly

A combination of face wash and face pack formulated to give you the bright and glowing skin.

Charcoal and aloe Vera face wash

Contains activated charcoal, Asian ginseng and aloe Vera . Activated charcoal helps in flushing out the toxins and helps in deep cleansing the skin.

The consistency isn’t runny and is just pasty enough to be squeezed off using. Upon continuous usage , the results are visible with bright and glowing skin. The face wash also helps in removing excess oil, there reducing chances for breakouts to occur. Also helps in killing acne causing bacteria.

I also noticed that acne marks which I had previously have started to lighten on continuous usage.

The face wash is made of natural ingredients with no toxins and parabens. Most importantly no chemicals.which would cause skin irritation.

The face wash helps in exfoliation thereby removing dead skin cells.

Suited for all skin types, the face wash is a good option to be included in Skincare routine.

Helps in de-tanning and achieve even skin tone.

The facewash is suited for anyone above 7years of age.

Activated awesomeness is the name of the face wash and keeps up to it name by giving you a bright skin.

Ingredients

Activated charcoal – Helps eliminate dirt and excess oil from skin.
Aloe Vera – Helps combat harsh effects of pollution,UV rays and acne.
Vitamin A C & E – Helps in boosting collagen production and healthy skin . Also helps against sun damage.
Asian ginseng – Remove dead skin cell and promote elasticity.

Price: Rs. 379 for 100ml on Amazon and on their website.

How to use ?

Wet face with water.
Squeeze little amount on hand or to a sponge.
Apply evenly, massage in circular motion.
Wash with cold water and pat dry.

Natural go glow activated charcoal face pack

The face pack acts like a magnet. Yes, it pulls out all dirt and impurities from skin. Absolutely love how it removes effects of pollution and dust.

The face pack removes tan and gives bright glowing skin.

This is a cleanliness freak, because it helps wiping away dirt accumulation in the pores and helps in unclogging.

Helps in rejuvenation of skin, keeping it healthy.

Ingredients

Activated charcoal- removes dirt and excess oil. Helps in exfoliation as well.
Aloe Vera- Combats effects of pollution, UV rays. Provides moisturization.
Cocoa powder – Helps in brightening skill. Also reversal of damage from sun and tanning.
Bentonite clay or volcanic ash – prevents blackheads, helps unclog pores, flushes out toxins and skim regeneration.
Kaolin mud – Helps in cleansing and absorption of impurities.
Argan, olive, peach and apricot oil- helps in skin nourishment.
Multani clay : Helps in maintaining even skin tone and brightness.
Coffee seeds – Helps reduce puffiness and boost blood circulation.
Green clay – Exfoliates skin and reduces inflammation.
Dead sea salt – Helps in removing toxins, boost blood circulation and balance skin pH.

The mask doesn’t smell overly pungent, compared to the other charcoal mask that I have used previously. It’s light on the skin and easy to wash off.

Price : Rs. 599 for 70gms available on Amazon and on their website.

How to use?

Apply the mask evenly on to skin with bare hands or with a brush.
Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
Wash off with cold water by gently applying circular motion on skin.

The mask and the face wash are available together as a combo known as bright and glow regimen for Rs. 978. They can also be purchased individually.

Reasons why you should try Supersmelly

Cruelty free as it’s not tested on animals.
Vegan friendly certified
Australian allergy certified
Dermatologically tested as hypoallergenic.
Made safe , nontoxic certified.
Australian certified as allergen free.

They also have a wide range of other personal care products like deodorants, moisturisers, lipbalms and sanitizer.

The products are available individually or as combos.

Check out their website to know more about them and to purchased products.

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October 20, 2020October 27, 2020

Irresistibly lipsmacking recipes for toddlers #myfriendalexa

Toddlers are little humans who are just getting to know the world around them. Food, people, surroundings are what they start exploring with.

Looking around people analysing their behaviour from what they talk , do and eat always fascinates them. They try imitating and feel happy doing it.

Have you eve noticed the toddler demanding to eat like an adult. Yes they feel kind of accomplished or superior if their demand is fulfilled .

Quite often us adults are in a way responsible for the way they eat and also reject foods. Since I already told you they love to imitate this is not only in normal behaviour but also seen when choosing what to eat.

Junk foods , ready to eat, fried foods, food containing maida gain more popularity through media and their peers. Kids also demand getting these at home.

I will not say that we should right away reject or deny. See of you are able to give in to them, but as a healthy option that you are able to offer.

Here are two recipes that never go wrong and I tell you that your toddlers would want you making this on demand frequently.

UPMA CHEESE BALLS

Upma is most often a less looked upon option for tiffen especially by the spouses and the kids. With this recipe below I’m sure that they will trouble you to make upma here on.

Ingredients

Upma – 1/2 cup (100gm)
Besan / chickpea flour- needed to coat the balls. Say a 100gm
Cheese cubes -2
Salt- as needed
Oil for frying

You could alternatively do an air fry as well.

METHOD

Make upma into balls but adding little ghee so that it’s easier to mould them as balls. I generally use semolina upma. You could also alternatively try with poha/vermicelli upma.
Cut cheese cubes into bite sized pieces and place inside the upma balls.
Make a batter of besan,salt and water . You could add pepper if you need spice. I’ve not because the upma already has enough spice. Make sure the batter is of dripping consistency.
Heat oil in a wok. Add the besan coated balls and fry until golden brown.
They could be had with tomato ketchup, mayonnaise or even hung curd.

You could also air fry them, as I had mentioned above. In that case you could coat them with bread crumbs post the besan batter coating. Leave for a while and then fry.

BUN PIZZA

Kids often get tempted seeing the variety of pizzas shown on TV. More or less during dine in I’ve seen more of wastage when parents order pizza as per the kids choice. You could try the below method at home to make bun sized pizza. It’s satisfactory to the kid and also easy on your pockets. Most importantly it’s home cooked so you needn’t worry about hygiene.

Ingredients

Bun – 2
Cheese slices -2
Cheese cube -2
Mix veggies – onion tomato capsicum and baby corn
Pizza spice – 2 tbsp
Tomayo ketchup -2 tbsp
Oil as per need
Butter for toasting
Salt and pepper- as per taste

METHOD

Add oil in a pan, saute all the veggies together . Season with salt and pepper. They only need to be half cooked.
Add butter to the same pan and toast the outer brown side of the bun.
Once toasted, apply tomato ketchup to the inner side.
Place the cheese slice on top of the ketchup layer.
Now arrange the veggies on top.
Sprinkle pizza spice or individually sprinkle chilli flakes and oregano.
Close with lid and cook until cheese melts.
I bet you will never look to place an order for pizza.
You could also play with toppings as you like it.

Do try these recipes and let me know in comments. This is my first recipe post. I’d be happy to take feedback.

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October 13, 2020October 20, 2020

Skin exfoliation – How to and how not to. #myfriendalexa

What is exfoliation ?

Our skin sheds dead skin cells on a periodic basis, removal of the dead skin cells from the topmost layer is called exfoliation. This removal is done by using granular products or chemicals. Each one of these has its own effects.

Benefits of exfoliation

Exfoliating the skin by removing the dead skin cells results in clearer and brighter skin. Skin exfoliation helps to unclog pores and remove the dry flaky skin that is caused when skin doesn’t shed completely. There is no use of applying skincare products on skin that is not exfoliated. Only when the dead cells are removed, it paves way for good absorption of skincare products.

Breakouts can be minimised when you do not have any clogged pores due to regular exfoliation.

Reduction of fine lines, sagging are what we want to keep skin healthy and for anti-ageing. Collagen is the key for the spotless and younger looking healthy skin. This protein helps in skin elasticity. If you need glowing skin, collagen is the secret ingredient behind it. Long term exfoliation, helps in increasing collagen production the natural way.

How often to exfoliate ?

If you are person with normal skin, you should do this thrice a week.

But if you have acne-prone skin, it is best to do it everyday. This should be done before using your cleanser since that will not completely remove the accumulation.

If you have sensitive skin, stick to exfoliating once a week.

When to exfoliate?

The ideal time would be morning, since at nights the skin goes to the repair and rejuvenate mode. This can soak up all the benefits. Make sure to use a good moisturizer post exfoliation.

Types of exfoliator

Manual exfoliators which can be the scrubs available OTC or DIYs at home. They can be abrasive so you must be careful while choosing them.

Chemical exfoliators are those with AHAs, BHAs and salicylic acid. They’re chemicals with acid which react with skin to remove the dead skin accumulation. They give you a uniform exfoliated look compared to the manual one’s.

Don’ts of exfoliation

1. Exfoliate very often if you have normal skin. Twice or thrice a week should be fine.

2. Exfoliate broken or irritated skin. Especially if you have shaved or waxed.

3. Use random exfoliators that you get.

4. Rub the skin or use rough motions to exfoliate.

5. Use body scrubs for face. They are harsher and apt only for body. The facial skin is delicate and requires specific product.

Do’s of exfoliation

1. Pick the right exfoliator that suits your skin.

2. Apply moisturizer generously post exfoliation.

3. Exfoliate in the morning and stick to the time. Not alternating day and night.

4. Invest in a good gentle scrub if you place to do it daily.

5. Wash off with cold water and pat dry.

DIY scrubs at home

Salt scrub – One tbsp of salt, half a tbsp of almond, coconut or sesame oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Sugar scrub – One tbsp of salt, half a tbsp of almond, coconut or sesame oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Oatmeal scrub – Two tbsp of oats, two tbsp of sugar, one tbsp of oil and 2 drops of essential oil.
Coffee scrub – Two tbsp of coffee powder, two tbsp of sugar, one tbsp of oil and 2 drops of essential oil.

These are readily available ingredients at home that can help you with exfoliation and also ones with which you can alternate. If you find any irritation or redness post exfoliation discontinue using it.

It is widely said that chemical exfoliators are better since they are less abrasive. The acids react with the skin and peel of the dry and flaky skin. But these exfoliators need to sit on the skin for a longer duration for the reaction to happen. However in a physical exfoliator do not rub and perform circular motion for more than three minutes.

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Image source : pixabay.

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020

Review of New borns and new moms #myfriendalexa

BLURB:

As soon as a baby is born, a woman’s life is engulfed by inevitable chaos. Newborns and New Moms dispels the confusion new mothers in urban India often go through.

Drawing from her own experience as a mother and her years as an accomplished and empathetic family physician, Dr Farah Adam Mukadam offers valuable tips and advice tailored for Indian parents through a book that:

Prepares a mother for her new life once the baby comes home
Validates Indian traditions surrounding childcare from a scientific and modern perspective
Provides insights about what to expect from family members and how to handle complex domestic circumstances after childbirth
Covers pertinent topics like mastering breastfeeding, accepting your changed body, postpartum mental and sexual well-being and readjusting to work after maternity leave
Contains useful tips for expecting couples in the age of Covid-19
Packed with wisdom and strengthened by real-life examples, this accessible how-to is the inspiration you need to embrace and enjoy motherhood.

MY REVIEW :

Whoever said that a toddler is a blender without a lid failed to relate this to a new mothers brain.

Being a new mother myself, there were a lot of things running in my mind. The baby, my toddler, my elderly parents and the covid pandemic that added itself to my ever piling up list of worries.

It was the right time that I grabbed Farah’s book which was exactly like she had a CCTV control room at her office.

A new mother is confused about her capabilities of mastering Breastfeeding, accepting her bodily functions post delivery, mental and sexual well-being yes that’s important too after delivery and adjusting herself to workplace post maternity.

Farah writes about postpartum care of the new mother. Most households have a similarity in the confinement period, belly binding ( you need not be in a hurry, but yes you could do it if you are comfortable and want to get back to pre pregnancy body ) .

The diet that the new mother is advised to what she can and what she has to avoid inorder to have a smoother transition.A set of general guidelines outlining the must be done and mustn’t be done. The meal should be simple, light, according to the mother’s taste and special foods that need to be mandatory in her meal. A lovely meal plan for new mothers charted by Farah is an easy guide for all new moms. The meal plan makes it easy for making prior preparation so that she doesn’t have to spend much time cooking.

Baby’s sickness and health is the four chapter where we get to know about various conditions pertaining to baby growth, brain development, colic, spit up and constipation. The doctor unapproved substances like Kajal, castor oil but are a must as per family traditions are very well explained on why being termed as unapproved.

Breastfeeding chapter discusses about the basic know how’s , preparation and must haves.A separate section about saboteurs and self doubters is something I really enjoyed reading and relate much. The field of lactation is been made aware only recently. We only knew about gynecologist and paediatricians. But the role of lactation consultant in between these two is known recently and is helping families from switching to formula and instead correct issues in breastfeeding. The appearance of bumps during breastfeeding, the causes and first aids to be followed are explained clearly so that you can conclude what you are suffering from.

A separate chapter on body image issues faced by women postpartum clearly explains why women look the way they are post delivery. A workout routine and eating right to keep metabolism levels up also helps new mothers to get back to their pre pregnancy weight.

PPD or postpartum depression would be the next word on Google suggestions if you type postpartum. Farah discusses about mood swings and ways to divert yourself.

The bedrooms after the baby, right from sleeping with the baby to getting back to sex life what you need to know is just waiting for you to read. All your doubts and inhibitions would be cleared very well once you read this book.

Just a like an extra wish, as a new mother, you could also offer your advice and care to couples who are planning for pregnancy during this time of #pandemic . Yes Farah has an exclusive epilogue just to address this.

At simple usage of words, mix of her personal and other real life experiences from patients, Farah makes this book a go to guide for every #newmother .

BOOK DETAILS

Format : Paperback

Pages : 288

Publisher : Pan

Price : Rs. 319

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Farah Adam Mukadam is a family physician from Bengaluru, India. She completed her MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and holds a Diploma in Family Medicine. She is a mother of two kids, a six-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. She is a consulting physician at Narayana Hrudalaya Multispecialty Clinic, Bengaluru and has a special interest in providing breastfeeding and postpartum support to new mothers. She has a YouTube channel called ‘Momstein’ where she often busts myths around contemporary medical aid.
Instagram @dr.farah_momstein
Facebook @dr.farahadam

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September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Facial at Home – Indrani facial kit

What is facial and why is it necessary?

A Skin treatment that happens in multiple steps like exfoliation, nourishing, steaming, bleaching is called a facial. Proclaimed to be one of the best ways to take care of your skin, facial helps to maintain healthy, hydrated, and younger-looking skin.

How often should you opt for a facial?

If you have a normal, dry, or oily skin ideally doing a facial once a month should be fine. If you are someone with sensitive skin you could opt for a facial once in two months.

How long does the effect of facial last?

The effects of glowing skin due to boosted blood circulation typically last from 48-72 hours.

FACIALS AT HOME

Now that we have a pandemic in place, stepping out for a facial is probably not a safe decision. Even though you know if you are visiting a posh salon that takes all the highest measures of safety and hygiene, you never know where you might get infected. In such cases, facials at home are saviors.

So what do you require for facials usually?

Cleanser
Scrub
Massaging gel or cream
Face pack
Astringent

INDRANI ORANGE FACIAL KIT

Being a person with combination skin, predominantly oily I would say, I was on the lookout for a good facial kit that suits oily or combination skin. Since I wanted to opt for something that had citric acid (good for oily skin) I decided I should check those options which had citrus fruits.

I stumbled upon this orange facial kit online. Checked out the contents, pricing, reviews and decided to buy it.

What does it contain?

Lemon cleansing milk
Apricot scrub
Orange massaging gel and orange nourishing cream with vitamin E
Orange face pack
Astringent

Steps to do facial at home

Cleansing with lemon cleansing milk

Cleansing being the first and foremost step to prepare your skin for the treatment, take 2-3 drops of cleansing milk and massage onto face in an upward circular motion for 2-3 minutes. Wipe off with cotton pads.

Exfoliation with Apricot scrub

Exfoliation is the next step, where you remove dead skin cells and unclog the pores. Take a small amount of scrub, massage onto your face in a circular motion for about 3-5 minutes. Wipe off with damp cotton pads. Do not scrub harshly. Gentle circular strokes would suffice.

Massaging with gel and cream

Orange nourishing massage cream with vitamin E oil

Take equal quantities of orange massaging cream and orange massaging gel and mix. With upward and circular strokes massage the mixture until it is absorbed into the skin. You could do this for 10 minutes.

Face pack

Mix Indrani orange face pack with water or rose water and apply evenly onto face and leave on to dry for about 10-15 minutes. Wash off gently with water and pat dry.

Astringent

Add two to three drops of astringent on to the cotton pad and dab it on the face to complete the facial and close the pores.

Skin feels fresh and renewed post-facial. Orange being a citric fruit is great for oily skin and vitamin C present is known to remove blemishes and give a glowing skin.

Price: Rs. 162 for all the six items included

Shelf life: 24 months

Packaging

The packaging was neat and sturdy with a hard cardboard box casing the six items needed for facial. Each item comes handy in small boxes and bottles that can be easily stored post usage. One kit would last for 2-3 facials for the minimal amount used.

Each liquid or cream is either a 10ml or 10g pack. You need not buy big packs and keep them stored in your closet. This is just the right amount.

Looking for a good facial at home and affordable too, then head right to purchase this kit. The kit can be purchased for Flipkart and Indrani cosmetics official website.

September 16, 2020September 20, 2020

Onion Oil and Shampoo from Upakarma Ayurveda

Why onions for hair ?

Onion is one of the most safest, easily available home remedies that works wonders for your hair. Using oil extracts for your hair helps in improving thickness, stimulates growth and helps in new hair growth when dealing with hair loss.

Onions are rich in dietary sulphur, which are found in amino acids which in turn are part of proteins. One such is keratin, that is much required for good hair growth and maintenance. Hence onion is very beneficial in promoting hair growth and maintaining thickness.

Upakarma Ayurveda onion shampoo

Having mentioned above the benefits of using onions for hair, it is also said that incorporating onion extracts in washing hair has much greater benefits than washing it with water.

Upakarma Ayurveda onion shampoo contains a combination of oils that help make your hair washing a good experience without hair loss.

The shampoo is light in terms of texture and lathers good when mixed with water. The hint of onion extract is strong in terms of fragrant when using the product.

Ingredients

Red Onion Seed Oil
Argan Oil
Aqua
Lauryl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
PQ–87
CAPB
Keratin
Biotin
Vitamin E
Vanilla Oil
Bramhi Oil
Amla Oil
Bhringraj Oil

Benefits

Herbal blend with Amla and brahmi helps reduce premature greying and hair loss, stimulates hair growth. Helps to reduce stress and relaxing effect. Blend of ten essential ingredients helps boost hair growth. Helps in nourishing hair through intense hydration.

No harsh chemicals like sulphate and parabens incorporated in ingredients and just natural ingredients makes it suitable to use for all hair types.

Stimulates hair growth due to presence of dietary sulphur in onion. Antibacterial properties of onion keeps scalp clean and stimulates blood circulation for good hair growth.

Repairs hair damage and chemically treated hair by providing nourishment to the tired tresses.

How to use

Wet hair in lukewarm water.
Take little amount of shampoo. Apply on scalp and hair length.
Massage gently and lather well .
Rinse thoroughly until shampoo is completely off the hair.

Price : Rs. 599 for 300ml bottle

Upakarma onion hair oil with 12 essential oils

Onion oil – The name in itself says that the oil is a blend of multiple essential oils which add their benefits to the already known benefit of onion for hair. The blend of multiple oils help in making hair stronger from the roots shinier and frizz free on the outside.

The oil has a very strong scent of pungency due to the onion extracts. The oil is light in consistency but mildly sticky. Apt to be used for daily application and also for a massage before hair wash. In that case the oil can be mildly heated before applying on scalp for massage.

Ingredients

Red Onion Seed Oil
Black Seed Oil
Argan Oil
Rosehip Oil
Macadamia Nut Oil
Castor Oil
Amla Extract
Bhringraj Extract
Neem Oil
Virgin Coconut Oil
Hibiscus Oil
Peppermint Oil
Lavender Oil
Jojoba Oil
Sweet Almond Oil

Benefits

Shinier and strong hair due to blend of argan, jojoba,black seed and Amla oils. Extracts from Amla and black seed help in maintaining strong roots and argan, jojoba help to maintain shinier hair.

Scalp nourishment by almond oil rich in vitamin D and Bhringraj oil. Necessary nourishment is provided helping flaunt healthy hair.

Safe for all hair types due to ingredients having only natural elements and no harsh chemicals. The natural blend makes it suitable for usage on all hair types and even chemically treated hair.

Hair growth is boosted which is the much needed benefit one could ask for.

Natural and toxin free makes it usable for all without any side effects. Ingredients contain only natural extracts and oil with no chemicals. Does not cause breakage due to ingredients.

How to use

Apply generous amount of oil on scalp and hair length.
Massage gently in circular motion and stroke gently.
Wash off with mild shampoo, preferably Upakarma Ayurveda onion shampoo.

Price : Rs.499 for 200 ml bottle

Both the products are available on the brand website.

Why should you opt for Upakarma Ayurveda products?

Fastest growing Ayurvedic brand in India .
All their products are Toxin Free, chemical free, pure & safe natural.
All their products are Cruelty Free Products, Not tested on animals, No ingredients of animal origin, vegan.
Upakarma Ayurveda products Premium and made of finest ingredients.
Upakarma Ayurveda is an ISO certified company & the products are Manufactured in GMP certified manufacturing units

Do check out their products on their website. I am sure that you will be impressed with the superior quality and assurance.

Upakarma Ayurveda
Balance your life

Let’s see what Arti and Urvashi have to talk about this week.

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September 14, 2020

Review of we are pregnant

BLURB

We are Pregnant” is a first of its kind pregnancy companion book with real-life anecdotes and expert inputs from doctors. In this book, Monalisa who is a mother herself has delved into various aspects of pregnancy based on her experiences, further enriched by those of other mums she has spoken to. She has talked about the ups and downs of the journey, emphasising on the fact that you are not alone in this. This book will help expecting mums and dads make sense of their pregnancy journey. We also hope along the way it also brings a smile on your face. The author has believes pregnancy is not an ordeal to be endured, rather it’s a journey to be enjoyed. Enjoy reading and we wish you a very happy, healthy and safe – pregnancy and childbirth.

MY REVIEW

A one of a kind book on pregnancy from Author Monalisa Bandyopadhyay. The book has everything about pregnancy from conceiving to cord blood banking.
Isn’t is nice when you have a one book guide that talks about the first test where you confirm pregnancy, the exact beginning of your wonderful journey ahead & going to cord blood banking that’s done after you deliver you baby.
The book answers a lot of questions that goes inside a pregnant woman’s mind. Googling it all up wouldn’t be a solution. The author in the first chapter says that choosing the doctor is the first step, because she would be your partner for every visit and for your final day when you deliver. Choosing someone whom you can trust, who talks freely is most important. She also says that just because you got your pregnancy confirmed by a doctor doesn’t mean you should continue with them. Choose the right one.
This book talks about the author’s pregnancy journey, events from her visits to Dr S and Dr.P whom she trusted most on the earth during her journey. The book has a Q & A section at the end of some chapter answered by doctors. Also some real life experiences of her friends who were willing enough to share their journey. I really loved the part where she has a section to pen down our story as well.

The book also touches about informing the workplace, advice that starts pouring in, the doctor visits and the tests that follow. The ultrasound scans the prenatal classes are what you need to plan as well.
Weight gain and exercise is an integral part that needs to be discussed. Eat for two as they say is only the nutrients. The quality of the food matters than the quantity. Tips on what to and what not to eat also are listed which makes food planning easier.
A separate section on aches and pains starting from morning sickness, the heartburn, indigestion, varicose veins, swollen legs and how to deal with them .
Mood swings like I said is one of the parts of pregnancy journey that absolutely needs to be discussed openly. Especially with the better half. Look happy, be happy. So if it’s only from inside it would be shown outside.
The clothes, Skincare , makeup ,spa ,photo sessions every little thing is discussed in detail.
Child birth the day we have been waiting for , the day we had been preparing for, contractions and when exactly to start for the hospital, coping with pains. Reading this mentally prepared you for what you are about to experience.
Once the baby is out, the woman needs to recover, bond with baby, latching and pumping needs to be concentrated on. Breastfeeding DOS and don’ts , the changes the body undergoes are discussed.
The after delivery care for the woman and the baby, postnatal blues are some other topics discussed.
I really appreciate the author’s efforts to include not only her own experience but excerpts from other women too. I loved her writing style which was natural and how the way she actually felt was there in her words.

BOOK DETAILS

Format : paperback

Publisher : Rubric publisher

Pages : 262

Price : Rs 399

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monalisa is mother of a school going kid who equally balances her career and family responsibilities. This is her first book which she was inspired to write based on her experiences during her pregnancy and childbirth. She holds an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur and has worked extensively in the financial services sector in India and abroad.

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

Review of UNEARTHED – An environmental history of Independent India

BLURB

Protesting against dams, protecting tigers, hugging trees, saving seeds, making room for elephants, battling mountains of waste, fighting air pollution, coping with soaring temperatures-India and its people have shared a remarkable relationship with the environment.
From the Green Revolution to the National Action Plan on Climate Change, Unearthed: An Environmental History of Independent India chronicles the country’s historical movements and significant green missions since 1947. Interspersed with lots of trivia, tales of eco-heroes and humorous cartoons, this easy-to-read account uncovers the story of a past with the hope that we will rewrite India’s future.

REVIEW

A book that treasures the environmental history of independent India. Divided into portions that discuss about white revolution, green Revolution,dams and climatic changes the book has a multitude of reasons to be the best gift one can have to know about the environmental history of the country.
A book that can bring in environmental cautiousness in future generation to preserve nature and make it the core motto of the society.
The tiger tales chapter that explains the nearly extinct or towards extinction of our national animal due to TCM .

Water scarcity , afforestation, nuclear energy the book covers vast topics supported by loads of facts, people behind the movement and illustrations.
The book is easy to read for kids and also a great one for adults.
Written in simple language the book is a great gift to kids.
A few notable events like the Bhopal gas tragedy, acid rain effects on Taj Mahal and other monuments and also about uranium poisoning in Punjab.

The idea is to make kids aware of what happened over the years and to implant thoughts of preservation.

BOOK DETAILS

Format : Paperback

Pages : 232 pages

Age recommended : 10 and up

Publisher : puffin books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Meghaa Gupta’s tryst with environmentalism began in 2013, when she was commissioned to compile a book on environmental courses and careers for students in India. From passionate teachers and students to eminent professionals, the journey exposed her to the fascinating work being done in this field. Her writing has also appeared in TerraGreen, Careers360 and The Hindu and she has contributed to WWF-India’s One Planet Academy. She is deeply interested in exploring how young people relate to the natural world and has conducted a series of workshops with school and college students in association with WWF-India. Meghaa works in children’s publishing and this is her third book.

Also check what Sanandita writes about optimism and What amritha writes about free play way.

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September 2, 2020September 4, 2020

Rose glow kit – Deyga organics

About Deyga

Deyga is a brand that believes in all natural ingredients for skin and haircare. Their products are aimed at giving you flawless skin by keeping skin safe. All their products are made from natural ingredients or at least the base ingredients for processing are naturally procured.

Their products are aimed at providing skincare by using pure and organic materials. A combination of high performing antioxidant with naturally occurring vitamins and essential oils are used for formulating their products.

Quality being their priority, each ingredient is carefully sourced from the best farms across the country. The products do not contact SLS, parabens and SLES.

The rose glow kit from their range is one of their best selling products and I am glad that I had the opportunity to try them out for about two months , post which I reviewed them.

Rose glow kit

Price : 3500

Contains

Rose pink clay soap
Rose glow serum
Rose scrub
Rose and mulethi face pack
Rose powder
Rose water facial toner
Rose and geranium body butter

Rose pink clay soap

Ingredients

Rose extract
Pink clay
Sweet almond oil
Shea butter
Extra virgin coconut oil
Olive oil

Price : Rs. 370

The soap is handmade and cold pressed. Helps in micro exfoliating dirt and oil. The soap has natural fragrance and no additional fragrance is added . Helps in treating skin irritation. The soap lathers well in normal water and keeps skin soft. Coconut and almond oil along with Shea butter helps keeping skin smooth.

Rose glow serum

Contains

Rosehip oil
Saffron
Rose essential oil
Jojoba oil
Almond oil
Vitamin E oil

Price : Rs. 790 for 30 ml

The serum smells heavenly with the natural fragrance of essential oils. It is light in consistency which makes easier to be absorbed by skin. It is apt for night routine so that the serum helps in skin repair throughout the night.

Rose scrub

Contains

Native rose petals
Lotus petals
Beetroot extract
Semolina
Rice flour
Aloe Vera powder

Price : Rs. 570 for 100g

The scrub can be used for hands/ feet and the underarms. It just take 60 seconds for absorption into skin. Wash off with warm water. Rice flour as we know is a great kitchen ingredient for scrubbing. In addition to it the rose and lotus petals help in making skin soft and smooth.

Rose and mulethi face pack

Contains

Native rose
Oats
Mulethi or licorice
Skin cherishing essential oil

Price : Rs. 490 for 200g

Helps in giving the skin instant glow and brightness. The pack upon continuous usage helps lighten dark spots. It can be mixed with milk or rose water toner for usage. Apply, leave on for 15 minutes and wash off with a massage. It’s as easy as that. It can be used in combination with the rose scrub. It is suited to be used for all skin types.

Rose powder

Contains

Organic arrowroot powder
Kaolin clay
Rose essential oil
Zinc oxide

Price : Rs. 600 for 100g

The powder can be used for hot and humid weather to keep away from body odour. The natural scent from English rose leaves a sweet fragrance. It is suited for both men and women. Can be used as a dusting powder post bath. Helps in preventing perspiration and drying of skin. Most importantly it’s talc free.

Rose water facial toner

Contains

Steam distilled rose

Price : Rs 430 for 100ml

The fragrance is absolutely heavenly with the only ingredient being steam distilled roses. It’s apt for astringent and helps in balancing the skins pH value. It is a great option to be used to dilute your face packs. Just spray and pat skin dry to get it absorbed. Can be used in combination with rose mulethi face pack.

Rose and geranium body butter

Contains

Rose essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Extra virgin coconut oil
Unrefined shea butter
Jojoba oil
Sweet almond oil

Price : Rs. 550 for 100g

The body butter helps in rejuvenation of skin by keeping the moisture sealed. The essential oils provide natural fragrance that keep you fragrant. Helps in healing of dry and chapped skin. Apt for using post bath and massaged onto skin until the butter is absorbed completely.

The kit can be purchased from their website. The products are available individually as well. This review is post my usage for two months. I’d suggest a patch test before you use any new product.

Also do read Cindy’s post about 25 barely known facts about her and Artis post about Masaba on Netflix.