Natural goodness

Ignoring Mental Health?

What goes on in your mind influences what goes on in your life. Don’t you agree with this? When you’re not able to calm your mind, when you struggle with falling asleep, when every new day makes you feel hopeless when you have intense mood swings and you feel frustrated in life, do you keep it all to yourself and continue suffering alone or do you speak out and seek help, so that you regain your peace and have a healthy mind again?

It’s crucial to prioritize nurturing your mental health, as it impacts your physical health, eating habits, sleeping habits, behavior, and emotions. Ignoring it affects many other areas of life negatively and causes an imbalance in life that eventually affects your relationships, overall health, professional life, as well as social interactions. Denying mental health issues and struggling to overcome them by yourself, without seeking the right support can worsen the situation and keep you from living the happy life that you deserve.

Different circumstances in life such as stressful situations for a prolonged period of time, being faced with challenges over and over again, or health problems, can change your mental health condition over time. It is necessary that you don’t ignore making time for self-care and working on your overall well-being. Understand what triggers you and manage your mental health regularly. On experiencing severe distressing symptoms such as regular sleep deprivation, intense mood swings, or loss of interest in daily activities, seek professional help and you will definitely feel a positive change, a new ray of hope, and the improved mood that you need for a healthy and happy life.

There could be people who judge you upon hearing your state of mind, who don’t try to empathize but perceive you in a wrong light but do not forget in such times, that you have every right to live a life filled with joy and content, to overcome your condition with professional help and to start experiencing the real meaning of living a purpose filled life. Do not focus on the negativity in the world around you, but reflect upon your goals and your well-being, so that you are always on track with your health and stay focused in life.

How important do you think it is to spread awareness about caring for mental health? Do share your thoughts in the comments.

Food Safety In Summer

The warm and sunny summer weather calls for outdoor picnics and get-togethers. Did you know that the warm and humid summer weather is perfect for bacteria to multiply and spread rapidly in food if not handled safely, leading to foodborne illness? To stay safe from foodborne illness during the fun-filled summer months, follow these food safety tips when outdoors:

Keep hot food hot and cold food cold

Place cold food in a cooler with ice, stored at or below 5^oC, and hot food in an insulated container, above 60^oC to avoid the rapid growth of bacteria. Limit the number of times you open the cooler or the insulated box, to avoid temperature loss.

Don’t cross-contaminate

Securely wrap raw meat, seafood, and poultry and store them separately, below 5oC. If their juices come in contact with ready-to-eat or cooked food, they cause contamination of food and lead to food poisoning. Storing them separately helps you avoid such incidents.

Utensils and serving dishes

Wrap and store utensils and serving dishes hygienically. Handle them with clean hands and do not reuse them. Have clean utensils/platter ready at the grilling/serving site. This helps you maintain food hygiene and avoid contamination.

Discard contaminated food

Food that has been sitting out in the warm temperature, for a long time (more than 2 hours) after serving, could be loaded with bacteria and is not safe to consume. Discard it to be safe, and avoid food poisoning.

You cannot tell whether your food is safe by its appearance, smell, or taste. If it is not handled safely, or when in doubt, it is safer to throw it out, instead of regretting it after falling sick.

Cook food thoroughly

Cooking food thoroughly is imperative to destroy any harmful bacteria in food. Don’t resort to serving food that has raw or undercooked eggs. Avoid reheating food more than once and bring sauces, gravies, and soups to a boil when reheating.

Wash your hands

Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap, before handling food, after using the washroom, handling waste, handling pets, and after handling raw food. If not washed properly, hands can be a source of contamination as they carry bacteria from different areas that are touched often.

These tips will help you keep your food safe when you are outdoors on a warm summer day and have a fun-filled day without getting sick with foodborne illness.

How do you ensure safe food handling when on a picnic outdoors? Do share your ideas in the comments.

Outward Charm Or Inner Beauty?

If nurturing ourselves is vital for our overall well-being, should it be the outer look that needs to be solely taken care of, or should the nurturing of our inner being be given importance? When you have a healthy balance in life, you realize how simple and enjoyable life is, and when you lose the balance in any one aspect of life, you see it affecting the other areas as well. Is it not the same with appearance too? Giving complete attention to your outward looks and paying no attention to what you are from within doesn’t help you make an impact, no matter how good you look.

Many a time, people’s outer appearance doesn’t reflect their real selves. Your looks could be forgotten over time by someone whom you’ve not met over the years. But the impression you’ve left in someone’s heart remains forever and it doesn’t fade with age. A warm smile, a kind heart, a caring gesture, and a respectful attitude are some of the traits that radiate a person’s inner beauty, which has a profound impact on anyone at the receiving end and leaves a positive imprint on the memory of people.

That which comes from within us is more powerful than our outward appearance and it isn’t possible to hide our true self every time that we meet people. It is necessary to work on the values we reflect and the personality we portray, for you don’t always have a second chance to make a first impression. When your appearance as well as your attitude together make a positive impression, you become a beautiful human being, who can be looked up to and cherished.

Although our outward appearance and how we present ourselves matter, it’s our inner being or the personality traits that decide our social connections, relationships, and many other areas of our personal as well as professional life.

How do you think we can keep ourselves shining from within amid the cares and worries of daily life? Do share your opinion in the comments.

What Do You Believe In?

What is the first thing that strikes your mind when you are asked ‘what do you believe in?’ Is it your abilities, moral values, family traditions, religion, or worldly patterns? Your answer needn’t be entirely dependent on what others expect you to believe in. Being authentic and being in sync with yourself is essential for you to grow from within and reach where you aim to be.

What you believe in undoubtedly has a profound impact on your life. It is vital that you are aware of what you feel about various elements in your daily life, rather than simply going by what the person next to you believes in. You are unique and so are your core beliefs. They come from your experiences and family values, from what you feel, what you go through and how you overcome obstacles. Never give up believing in your inner strength, your potential and your dreams.

When you encounter a difficult moment, when you’re not able to decipher what life’s telling you, when you see the many options in life, not knowing what is right for you, do you take a leap of faith or lose your hope and avoid facing challenges? Though the choice is yours, not every choice helps you grow and emerge stronger. A strong belief, and the grit to keep moving forward keep you from hopelessness and pessimism. It helps you not to absorb the negativity that’s around you and keeps you focused, helping you learn, grow and blossom.

There will always be moments in life where you’ve got to make a choice, based on what you want in life and you can’t decide merely based on the opinions of people, but on what you believe is right for you. Do you believe that God has given you the potential and the ability to achieve what you aim for? Have you given in to self-doubt and refrained from embracing the opportunities that he sent your way? Do not let your unbelief damage your confidence and take away your dreams. You are unique, and incomparable. Make the best of life, by believing your inner voice and staying optimistic.

Grow Through Your Experiences

Would you agree if I’d say, what you go through in life, helps you grow through life? Don’t we have some memorable experiences in life that cling to our minds and stay with us, teaching us priceless lessons? ‘That which does not kill us makes us stronger.’ is a famous quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, that reminds us to use personal, professional, or social experiences positively and get stronger in life. In the sea of mixed experiences of life, one may understand and analyze several aspects of the art of living, evolving into a better version of one’s own self and looking forward to much more of life to happen.

At times, our emotions in certain circumstances may weigh us down, if we give in to extreme emotions such as intense fear, anger, or excitement, without thinking about what the next step ought to be for a smooth handling of the situation at hand. Rushing through life doesn’t allow you to contemplate the actual scenario, leading you to always deal with life inflexibly. Giving attention to what you go through and what it teaches you is a great tool to evolve and strengthen yourself, being equipped for challenges and looking toward life that is yet to unfold, with confidence.

When faced with unexpected challenges in life, having no option to run away, I learned that I have the strength within me to face and overcome challenges, and all I needed was faith and courage. Taking the courage to live, rather than merely drifting through life makes the actual difference! Instead of looking for the easiest option, the next time you decide, look for what helps you grow and evolve into your best version. You won’t regret that you made this choice. Though it could make you a bit uncomfortable, you’ll realize it’s worth it and feel content that you chose it.

Does this post remind you of the remarkable experiences in your life? How have they helped you grow? Do share in the comments so that we learn from each other and broaden our perspectives.

Make A Difference

Did you know that there is power within you to make an impact on society? Though not instantly, what you choose to stand for, can bring about a meaningful difference around you. It’s quite easy to simply go with the flow, without looking around to see how and where is a change required and how we contribute towards bringing it about. When positive changes happen in the world, don’t we feel overwhelmed with joy? Don’t we belong to the same world sharing a responsibility in making it a better place?

Do you wait for someone else to raise a concern, voice an opinion, promote awareness, or stand up for ideals? Usually, as long as we stay in our comfort zone, we find it futile to think about the world around us. We may assume that our actions don’t matter, speaking up might offend someone, or that no one cares. Hesitating to make a difference won’t help you stand up for what you believe in. At times when one step was enough to make you heard, you may have easily given up without knowing the power within you. For as long as you’re quiet, people are free to have their own judgments about your silence.

By speaking up when you’re required to do so, you will be able to inspire others and influence important decisions and changes that make a big difference. Whereas being silent about everything promotes emotional repression, and erodes your confidence. Although it’s not easy to bring about a change, never trying is not a solution to the problem. Sometimes, simple actions such as a kind gesture, a smile, a firm reply, or supporting a cause could make a positive impact.

There’s no one who has control over what goes on in the world. But you definitely have control over what ‘you’ do. Choose to give voice to your intentions, and take the courage to take right actions to make a difference that is much needed. There’s strength within you, which remains hidden as long as you shy away from being different. Bring about the change within you, focus on what you ought to do, and know what difference you could make. Be the light you want to see around you and keep it shining.

Eating Right While Traveling.

Have you ever felt sluggish or sick after a vacation or a business trip, due to being unable to focus on your diet? If you’ve tried convincing yourself that such situations can not be avoided, as your diet surely changes while traveling, you must know that it is indeed possible to stick to a healthy diet and stay healthy even when you travel. Here are some easy and simple ways to take care of your diet while traveling.

Choose foods wisely

Although it’s easy to find fast food everywhere you go, be it at the airport, restaurants, or the streets, it is necessary that you don’t give in to the temptation of grabbing some fast food in a hurry, without being sure about its impact on your health. The next time when you wish to opt for fast food, make sure that you check if there are healthy options available, such as healthy sandwiches, nutritious salads, or grilled food, and make a wiser choice.

Maintain a balance

While ordering your food, strike a balance by including food rich in fiber such as veggies and whole grains, nutrient-rich food such as fruits, seafood, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and mushrooms, with a small portion of dessert that is not loaded with a lot of sugar, such as a healthy cake, pudding, or a yogurt-based dessert.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can ruin your trip if you don’t make it a point to keep yourself hydrated regularly. Having ample amounts of water, eating fruits, limiting your coffee intake, and drinking fresh juices or coconut water are easy ways to keep yourself from falling short of your hydration goals.

Food Safety

Avoid raw or undercooked eggs, seafood, and meat. Choose freshly cooked food, clean cutlery, bottled water, and pasteurized dairy products. This helps you keep food poisoning or food-borne illnesses from coming along on your trip.

Relaxing a bit with your diet while on a trip won’t harm you. But, Ignoring healthy eating entirely and indulging in unsafe eating habits can make you sick and ruin your trip. Plan your diet in a way that’s good for your digestion, as well as your budget, and enjoy your trip without guilt.

Do share your suggestions for a memorable vacation, without shaking up your diet and getting sick.

Time-Saving Hacks For Busy Moms.

A mom with a never-ending to-do list feels overwhelmed and exhausted every day without any time for self-care. Feeling pulled in different directions all day long, and having no time for self-care can lead to stress, anxiety, and frustration. Have you been dreaming of having enough time for all the tasks you’ve got to finish as a busy mom, without getting drained of your energy by the end of the day? These time-saving hacks could help you get your tasks done without having to give up your ‘me’ time, which keeps you refreshed and happy so that you can in turn spread happiness to those around you and live a joyful life.

Planning Meals

Having a meal plan for the whole week ahead helps you make the right and healthy food choices. It saves the time you spend on worrying about what to make for dinner or breakfast and helps you know what needs to be purchased for the week as your meal plan is ready. It will keep you from buying what you won’t cook and can have enough storage space for what you need.

Meal prep twice a week

You can save your time by chopping veggies twice a week for meal prep and storing them refrigerated, rather than spending time every day peeling and chopping vegetables. Chopped veggies can be stored for up to 3 days, without any changes in flavor or texture. Similarly, you may parboil or steam veggies in advance, especially those that consume much time to cook. This helps you assemble your meal quickly and eliminates last-minute rush.

Have a schedule for social media

Limiting specific time for social media helps you manage your time effectively without losing your time by simply scrolling through your phone and not having enough time for important tasks, before wrapping up for the day. You may block unnecessary sites that distract you and keep you glued to your phone/device, taking away important time which could be used for other tasks.

Make a grocery list

Having a well-stocked pantry on your busy days is definitely a life-saver, provided you’ve planned your meals ahead. Having a grocery list based on your meal plan for the week helps you ensure that you don’t leave the grocery store forgetting something that you need or buying something that you won’t use. It surely saves you time as you are aware of what you need to buy.

Set up a bed-time routine

Having a fixed bedtime routine helps you wake up fresh in the morning, ready to embrace a new day with everything it holds for you. Keep things prepped for the next morning so that you can start your day with a calm mind, without having to rush. Know what you’ll wear the next day, what’s to be kept ready for breakfast, places to tidy up, and things to be packed and put back before going to bed.

As you plan your week, remember that you needn’t do it all alone, getting stressed and overwhelmed. Ask your kids and spouse for support, and share the responsibilities, that will eventually turn into routine habits which will help you save time, spend quality time with family and find some time for self-care in the long run.

The Negative Side Of Gossip.

There are people who enjoy spreading unconfirmed and inaccurate pieces of information and passing them on to as many people as possible. From someone’s appearance, their attitude to their personal information, whether true or not, without verification, everything about anyone can be a part of their interesting conversations to have a fun pastime, only discussed in the absence and without the knowledge of the targeted person. Although unfortunate, it’s true that there are people who enjoy indulging in toxic talk.

Does gossip stay alive without an audience? Do you think there’s no harm in simply listening to this interesting piece of unverified information? Remember that those spreading false rumors may not stay loyal to their audience, be it to the one who entertains them or the one who doesn’t entertain them. There is always a chance that you too could be a subject of their talks someday, without your knowledge.

Gossip beyond a limit leads to backstabbing someone who trusts you, creates a negative and suffocating environment around you, ruins relationships, hurts reputations, and causes a lot of stress. It is important to recognize the value and respect the integrity of people around you in order to prevent unwanted and negative gossip. It isn’t easy and is almost impossible to undo the damage caused by toxic talk to the person being targeted, and could do a lot of harm to friendships as well as the well-being of the person.

Have you seen people who like to be the topic of discussion without their consent? But there are definitely people who love discussing any part of other people’s lives, without being genuine, but making up stories and tarnishing reputations. When you expect to be respected by others, should you not be doing the same to them rather than indulging in spreading lies about people who are unaware of the false information being spread about them?

Preserve Your Integrity

Have you come across people who make choices contrary to what they teach/preach or instruct? Don’t we meet people who take leadership as their right to unethical behavior? It definitely takes strength of character to live with integrity, regardless of your situation or position. It is in challenging situations that your integrity is put to test. Giving in to the pressure that comes your way ends up compromising your integrity. Choosing to do what is right, adhering to what you believe in, and not compromising your standards, keep you from guilt and help you be your authentic self.

Amid the myriad of tasks, worries, and cares of life, take time to examine your life, your commitment, and your focus every day. Rather than looking at what people do or judging others, it is imperative that we keep an eye on our own intentions and not give power to distractions that could lead us to lose credibility. Every time you look at the person in the mirror, guilt is not what should haunt you, causing you to look away, rather it should be self-awareness that helps you to look at yourself with confidence and dignity.

It is not how easily and quickly you reach your goals, it is about the choices you make, and the small steps you take, even when no one is watching you. Just because there are many people who follow the wrong direction, you shouldn’t convince yourself to follow the same. Even when you are sure that, nobody would accuse you or doubt you, ask yourself whether this one decision could change the way you look at yourself? Is it not necessary to be driven by your internal moral compass, rather than the number of people you please in life?

Do not let difficult situations, work pressure, social media influence, stress, power, or position let you shut down your inner voice. It is wise to strive every day towards becoming a better version of yourself and lead by example, despite the challenges and pressure you face. It’s the quality of your life and not the pleasures of the world that matters in the end.

Do you agree that it is better to live a life of integrity, instead of faking your character?

Does Anger Control You??

Anger is an emotion and not a problem when expressed in a constructive manner. There are no people who don’t ever feel angry. It is a natural emotion, which when expressed in uncontrollable ways, causes a lot of damage that can be avoided if you know how to handle your anger positively. Shutting down, complaining, insulting, giving silent treatment, seeking revenge, or manipulating people out of anger can never help you get your problems solved, but could cause more trouble.

Do not let anger control your opinions, judgments, or decisions. Do not let your relationships be damaged by impulsive reactions. It’s not necessary to always express your anger negatively. While it is definitely necessary to express your emotions rather than hiding or ignoring them, taking time and allowing your mind to calm down helps you think productively and positively, without ignoring your emotion but expressing it in a better way.

Do you give anger the power to impact your inner peace, health, career, and relationships? Do you fume at once, when something doesn’t happen the way you expected? The way you deal with anger could have a positive outcome in your life or ruin a lot in your life, as it all depends on how you’ve expressed what you felt. Using your anger wisely helps you stay productive and keeps you from compromising your ability to control your impulse and think clearly.

It is not wise to always mute your feelings for pleasing people. Channeling your anger in better ways and not doing something that you will regret later, helps you to stay in control and not allow anger to control you.

Do you agree that it is necessary for your well-being, to avoid being controlled by an angry outburst?

What To Add In Your Salad?

Salads can be light and refreshing, loaded with nutrients and many health benefits, if consumed with a balanced meal, regularly. Healthy and nutritious ingredients when included in your salad, help you control your weight, and provide numerous health benefits. Here are some nutritious salad ingredients for a healthy, balanced, and delicious salad.

Fruit

Incorporating fruits in your salad makes it colorful, healthy, and delicious. Fruits are densely packed with vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. They contribute towards the nutritional requirements of your body and help you control your weight too. Avocado, blueberries, pomegranate, mango, grapes, kiwi, melons, and pineapple are great for a scrumptious and nutrient-rich salad.

Seeds

Seeds add an extra crunch and health boost when added to salads. Seeds are packed with antioxidants, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber. Pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are a great choice for a health-promoting salad.

Vegetables

Raw vegetables such as carrots, onions, cucumbers, leafy greens, bell peppers, and cabbage add flavor, crunch, and health benefits to salads. Eating a variety of vegetables improves digestion, boosts immunity, and promotes health. Make your salad colorful, bright, and nutritious with a mix of vegetables.

Healthy Fats

Garnish your salad with healthy fats such as olive oil, sesame oil, avocados, pine nuts, sliced olives, walnuts, sesame seeds, and hard-boiled eggs, to make it delicious and nutritious. Healthy fats promote heart health, help manage inflammation, and aid in absorbing certain vitamins from food.

Herbs

Chopped fresh herbs such as thyme, basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill add flavor to salads. They have many health-promoting properties, to make your salad both healthy and full of flavor. Herbs are a rich source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and nutrients.

Protein

Adding healthy protein sources to your salad makes it flavorful and filling. Proteins fuel our cells and provide energy. Chickpeas, tofu, eggs, shrimp, chicken, black beans, nut butter, and tahini are great ideas to add protein to your salad bowl.

Get creative with your favorite flavors and fresh ingredients to make a salad with your own ideas and enjoy an array of nutrients with a delicious and satisfying bowl of salad.

Which are your favorite salad ingredients? Do comment.

What Do You Stand For As a Parent?

Do you agree that practicing the right behavior as a parent is imperative to help your kids grow into responsible adults? If you choose to raise your child into a person of integrity, preaching alone will not give you the results you expect. Rather, be the example they can look up to and follow. When doing what is right is a family value, children get a clear idea about what you believe in, the virtues you’ve embraced, as well as the difference between right and wrong. To guide and lead our children on the right path is our moral responsibility.

It is important that you’re able to explain to your child, the reason behind what you stand for and what you won’t stand for. It is necessary that you are able to show your child, the principles behind your behavior. If as a parent, one says, ‘do what I say, not what I do’ do you think your children will blindly accept all that you say without a question and grow into people of integrity and responsibility? It is not only kids who must know the difference between right and wrong behavior, but parents too. Because, it is from the parents, that the kids absorb family values and principles since their childhood and it has an impact in shaping their personality and character.

The values you wish to inculcate in your children should reflect in your own behavior so that your kids are aware of these values very early in life. The role of parents in the personality development of children is significant compared to other factors that influence their personality traits. We all know that there is not one right way to raise a child. But, it is also true that, as a parent, you must be willing to learn and grow in life, in order to contribute positively to your child’s growth and personality development.

Your attitude towards discipline, eating habits, well-being of your family, and experiences in life, affects your children. The actions of parents directly impact the behavior of children, as it is natural for kids to observe and emulate what parents do. Your lifestyle, the way you treat people, your reaction to people or situations, and your common behavior definitely and intensely influence the mind of your little one, who is learning to embrace and live life, based on how parents do it.

Have you set the right example for your children or do you prefer teaching them something that you are not able to follow in life?

To Look Within

Looking outside yourself for joy, peace, love, and happiness constantly can’t fulfill your heart’s desires, unless you hear the voice from within you, that reveals to you the truth and lets you know what you are looking for in life. When you look into your own heart you have a clear vision of your life, and you will be able to find meaning in life, without any influence from the world outside. The answers that you are looking for, the purpose that you are trying to know, and the inner joy that you are trying to discover is within you.

Do not block your life from shaping you into what you were meant to be, by giving in to distractions that keep you from focusing on your inner self. You will find wisdom, know your worth, and feel fulfillment in life when you look within and awaken. Sometimes, it’s necessary to question your thoughts, your perceptions, and your judgments. It helps you grow, know your true self better, and reflect on your own voice.

Take a moment to cherish the present, make time for self-awareness, take a dive within your inner self, and find your inspiration. Prioritize your inner healing, look within and realize your feelings, be honest with yourself, and learn self-acceptance. You need to learn in order to grow. Learn from your mistakes, examine your weaknesses, find the areas in your life that need to be improved, know your authentic self, and keep growing every step of the way!

Do you make time to reflect on your inner self? Do share in the comments.

Dear Woman, Know Your Strength!!

When the world doesn’t seem kind, when you do not receive the respect you deserve, when you are not being treated appropriately, when you don’t like the way you are being looked at, when you are ridiculed or judged, when you are not appreciated or recognized, know that you need not blame yourself, but stay strong and do not quit. You are strong enough to take up challenges, you have the strength within you, to move forward, stand up for yourself, face your struggles, and overcome your fears. Unless you permit, nothing and no one can steal your confidence or belittle you.

Do you fear giving voice to your needs and concerns? Do you prefer staying silent when your mind screams that you do not like the way you are treated/looked at/or spoken to? Is this choice of yours to stay quiet helping you? If this silence is ruining your peace, forgive yourself for not opening up and bring about the change, to make your voice heard. If you do not speak up for yourself, no one else will. There is courage within you, for God has created you with enormous strength within. Find your inner strength to move forward in life and do not give up.

It’s time to unlock your tremendous potential, take a stand for your dignity and value, have those boundaries in place, learn from your mistakes, stop waiting, and start doing. Do not give power to your doubts, rather believe in your abilities. You could be one decision away from courage! do not quit easily, move past your fears and be courageous.

Healthy Weight Gain

If you are looking for ways to gain weight, it is important that you choose the right methods, instead of gaining unhealthy fat, which could later on lead to health problems. Although junk food can help you gain weight, it is not a safe option and has many side effects such as increasing your risk of heart disease, and diabetes. Choosing natural and healthy weight gain methods helps you gain healthy weight and live a healthy life without any negative side effects.

Choose nutrient dense food

Choose healthy fats such as oily fish, yoghurt, nuts, avocado and seeds.

Healthy protein rich food such as eggs, lean meat, beans, seafood, and soy.

Whole carbohydrates among which are whole grains, fruits, legumes and vegetables.

Homemade smoothies

Try nutritious and delicious protein smoothie recipes at home for a safe weight gain and avoid commercial one’s, as they may contain a lot of sugar, processed ingredients and less nutrients.

Eat Regularly

If you have a smaller appetite, eat smaller and frequent meals/ snacks throughout the day. This will help you have enough energy for your daily routine and to gain healthy weight without overeating.

Get enough sleep

Sleeping well contributes to muscle growth and good health. Be consistent with your sleep timing and ensure that you get quality sleep at night.

Avoid these habits

Drinking water right before your meal
Mindless eating
Eating food high in sugar, salt and saturated fat
Staying away from exercise and physical activity.

Maintaining healthy weight needs healthy lifestyle and nutritious food. Focus on a healthy, fit body and not only on gaining the weight you might have lost due to illness or any other reasons.

Childhood And Curiosity.

Do you feel exhausted answering your little child’s unending questions? It’s quite natural for children to wonder about their surroundings and environment. They are eager to learn more and they look at everything with curiosity. As children grow, they inquire about everything new they encounter and explore anything that is not familiar. Their curiosity helps them to continually grow, learn and get creative. It helps them know more about the world around them and get familiar with daily life.

It is good to encourage a child’s curiosity with a positive approach. But due to our desire to get some free time, don’t we place our kids in front of screens and keep them busy with constant entertainment? Will such a lifestyle help kids develop curiosity? Will it contribute to developing imagination and creativity? Will a completely gadget-dependent lifestyle equip kids to become successful adults? It is necessary for parents to think in this direction and decide accordingly for the well-being of their children and support their growth by encouraging curiosity.

To nurture your child’s curiosity, here are a few tips you could try:

Take your child outdoors for a walk, and encourage him/her to explore something new.

Encourage children to observe the surroundings and pay attention to simple details such as colors, shapes, sounds, and movements.
Every time when there’s a challenge, don’t rush to solve it for them. Have patience and observe their decision-making process/pattern, before your guide them.
When you are doubtful of your answers, use cross-reference and avoid giving children wrong explanations.
Don’t give a complicated response or ignore their questions. Keep learning alive and make it fun.
Encourage reading books and ask them questions to know how they think or what’s their opinion.

How do you manage between your busy routine and engaging with your child to keep learning alive? Do share in the comments.

Take Courage To Live!

Do uncomfortable situations keep you from staying strong? Have you ever felt that a bit of courage could have taken you a step forward? No matter how far you’ve fallen or how much fear you’ve faced in life, taking courage with faith and determination will give your life a new beginning. When something doesn’t work the way you expected it to, taking the courage to not give up, and trying again, opens new ways to reach your goal. You will find some hidden answers and explore your potential in the uncomfortable situations and struggles of life. Such experience, helps you grow from within and improves your quality of life. It teaches you valuable lessons that are needed to move forward and explore life without fear.

Do not let fear be an obstacle that keeps you from bonding with people, trying a new skill, or looking forward to new experiences. When fear holds you back, you won’t learn resilience, life lessons, emotional maturity, greater perspectives, dealing better with change, and constructive thinking. You not only need courage to speak up but also to sit and listen. It takes courage to accept your weaknesses, face the truth, bring about change, and be willing to learn and grow throughout life.

Be courageous to find yourself, rather than accepting how people define you. You won’t see success before you take the courage to work towards it. But you close your path to success when you fear failure. Fear is not unknown to those who achieve success. But conquering fear with courage and not giving up amid hardships and struggles when you know your path is right, makes you stronger and gets you closer to your goal.

Courage keeps you going despite your doubts and fears. Have faith and move forward in life, for time doesn’t wait for anyone. Making the best of life needs courage, not fear. Do you agree? Do share your opinion in the comments.

The Way You Want To Be Treated.

If you were asked how would you like to be treated by others, what would you say? Do you agree that in reply there will be a list of your likes/dislikes/preferences and choices? Do you use a similar guide when you treat others around you? If we reflect upon our lives, there could have been times when we’ve treated others the way we didn’t prefer to be treated. There are moments when we don’t pay attention to our own behavior that directly has an impact on people from whom we expect a lot of respect and love.

If we have acted in ways that contradicted our own values, it’s time to reflect on our actions and remember to always act with integrity. It is not to get something in return that we ought to behave well with others, but treating people with dignity helps you to grow and see the goodness in others. It is important that you are genuine in your actions and you don’t do something to flatter someone. For when your intentions are not good, people feel it, though they don’t often express it. It definitely has a negative impact on your relationships that gradually weaken over time.

It isn’t possible or necessary to control how people think or act. Letting people’s voices be heard, valuing their contribution to your life, letting them have their space, standing up for a cause, showing true respect rather than saying something vague, and not taking anyone’s kind service for granted are a few ways to treat others with dignity and value. Treating yourself and others with respect costs you nothing, but makes the world a better place, builds trust in relationships, and helps you grow through every step of your journey without losing the bond that you share with people around you.

The Troubles Caused By Improper Eating.

There are many common improper eating habits such as snacking round the clock, under eating, over eating, eating food that is poor in nutrition, skipping meals, binge eating and, eating in a hurry, that trigger several health problems over a period of time. There could be many reasons that cause us to choose such eating habits. Regardless of the reasons, it is crucial to remind ourselves often, that such eating habits could cost us our health.

Our eating habits have a significant role in maintaining our health throughout life and avoiding certain diseases. Healthy eating habits enable our body to function well, which helps us stay healthy and active. Food that is poor in nutrients and high in fats, salt, sugar, artificial flavors, and chemical additives increases your risk of obesity, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tooth decay and other health problems.

If you are trying to lose weight, skipping a meal, especially breakfast isn’t a good idea, as it could make you overeat later on during the rest of the day. Rather, focus on portion control and healthy eating, that will gradually but definitely bring about the positive change in your health.
Give up eating in front of the screen and turn off screens when you eat. This will help you avoid mindless eating.
Start making better and healthier food choices. This will help you obtain nutrients from your diet and avoid food that has empty calories.
Make time to sit down and eat. Avoid the habit of eating on the go. When you eat in the car, or as you walk, it is easy to take in excessive calories and to opt food that satisfies your taste buds, but doesn’t contribute to your health.
Sleep well every night, as fatigue can lead to overeating.
Plan your meals/ snacks in advance and stick to your plan.

Don’t let your eating pattern stand in the way of a healthy life. Make an eating plan and include healthier versions of your favorite food in your plan. Making better eating choices with controlled portion size and nutritious food nourishes your health and helps you grow healthy, active and happy.