My Diary

You all know that I Lost 10 kgs precisely in 7-8 months November 2011 to July 2012. This proves slow and steady wins the race. The other part which most don’t know and needs to be shared is coming up. What I did wrong from July 2012 to November 2012 1. Did not have my daily multivitamin which I had promised myself 2. No health drink like Woman’s Horlicks, Bournvita or Nurture etc. No milk in the first place. No curd to substitute/ Paneer - maybe once or twice in a month. 3. Most days I was going without that early morning fruit, which I had been taking initially for 3-4 months 4. My dinner on busy days was just some chapatti or stuffed paratha 5. Little or no exercise/ suryanamaskaar 6. There was a lot of personal stress All in all my meals though were the right calorie, but lacked the nutrition a very active woman like me needs. As a result I was exhausted most days to the extent of reaching extreme anaemia, at the end of the 7 months. Post July all the protein I had was c...

Okay before I write this post I must tell u that the weather is awesome right now, there is a nip in the air and it's really pleasant, makes me wish for a picnic, only if I did’nt have other appointments today or maybe have a party at home, hot cup of chai,pop corn and gup shup. The ultimate unwind after a busy day! Talking of busy days, they are no two ways about a day at work, they need to be ‘busy’ days and that’s how I like it. After work, I often see working ladies coming back home hassled, rushing to their abodes, kids getting cranky, tearing to go play, moms clutching them to reach home….Ahh! So was my case until some time back. I used to rush home, settle daughter with some colors, waited for maids who came trooping in and by the time our chores were done it was 8’ish. My daughter wanted to hit the park and kept requesting but by the time we got free all kids would have left the park and most times I was too exhausted to even venture out. Now I am not one of the moms to ...

This post was written in July and most of what is written holds true even today. Back in June, I had some time off and went to visit hubby who is on a sabbatical and studying. I use my holidays to eat, sleep and have fun, try new local cuisines, soak in the local life! I did all the above but also exercised a lot of restraint and used the gym at least 5 days a week, enjoyed the college life again, evening walks in the beautiful campus which is green and massive. The evening visits to the wonderful juice shop were awesome. Fresh air and delicious juice. My daughter particularly loved her Mango shake and adults oscillated between pomegranate, mausambi, watermelon etc. Quick fitness updates: 1. Weigh about 65 kgs. Yes I have lost close to 10 kgs ladies. Update: Been at this weight for like 2 months now. 2. I have partially quit milk, sugar, and to compensate for my daily calcium needs have started a bowl of curd instead. This curd is not made of skimmed milk. Quitting sugar is par...

When we juggle so many roles, more often than not, we forget whether we are presentable, we look ok, fine or great. Reaching work on time seems more important than anything else. But its always important for your own confidence and self esteem to be well turned out. I adore the ladies working at these five star hotels, they are so damn put together, smart and groomed. Now wont it be treat for your own confidence and well being if you make little effort for a more groomed and presentable you. A well groomed woman at work cuts a smart and confident picture. You of course need to work hard professionally to climb the ladder. But a smart personality will always work in your favor. Office Bag Must haves: There are few staples which when kept in your handbag can save your day. You can use them while waiting during the traffic signal, in your office restroom and will keep you beautiful and charming. 1. Always keep a nice deodorant or perfume as per your liking at all times,will keep y...

Sieze the moment they say, every word in this phrase is worth a million bucks. I remember a couple of months back, i had a long day at work, had a hasty dinner and was catching up a movie with hubby late night, i was too tired to see the whole dvd, was listless n exhausted n it was late n i was busy planning things for the next day....i was unable to savour the moment, thot life is too busy, too hectic.....bla bla bla... today i miss those very moments, my husband is out on sabbatical, studying at a business school. We miss those lovely days when we were so tired, so busy, but together. I pine for those blissful days. Now here's the catch, if today i do the same thing and feel bad about my present i will be foolish to repeat my mistake and not relish and enjoy 'the moment'. I have an adorable daughter whom i can play endlessly with. My parents stay nearby, i can bond with them. And a job i love.....I can sieze the moment, njoy it and savour it. These will be wonderful ...

This post being done on request from a reader Pranali. I am all for quick low cal wholesome and nutritious meals. Ingredients: 1. 1 cup Soaked black chana 2. Onions, finely chopped-1 3. Green Chilli chopped-1 4. Ginger flakes-4-5 5. Tomato 6. Spinach leaves- nicely washed and chopped 7. Tomato finely chopped 8. Lemon juice-1tsp 9. Roasted cumin powder 10. Salt to taste Soak kala (black) chana overnight, pressure cook in half a cup water for 6-7 whistles. You can make it more nutritious by using uncooked sprouted black chana. Drain, and mix all the above ingredients, toss in a mixing bowl, ur dinner is ready. U can eat this alone, u could eat it with a whole wheat chapatti. U can also put in some paneer and gazillion other veggies u can eat raw to make it more wholesome. This salad makes for an excellent dinner, but I found it a lil hard to digest initially, if taken alone. So I used to team it up with a missi roti or sometimes just a glass of milk. But over a few times ...

My daughter loves dosa without the potato filling. When we eat out this filling has chilli and is spicy. So plain dosa is her all time favorite. And I end up eating idlis. Since we bought our microwave after marriage and my never ending cooking experiments started,which my husband always encouraged, I have made idlis pretty regularly. Sometimes its breakfast, sometimes dinner and it never fails to make my family happy. You may try this for your kiddo’s breakfast on Sundays since it tastes best when warm. It needs about a cup of sooji (semolina), 1 bowl of curd and fruit salt. Add curd to sooji gradually so that u get a semi solid consistency just like your rice - dal batter of idli. Whip it to avoid lumps. To this batter add a pinch of fruit salt (Eno) and stir well. Slightly grease the idli maker depressions with oil. Transfer batter to these depressions in the idli maker and close the lid of the maker. I don’t lock it completely, just put the lid. Power 60% in Microwave mode, c...