Recently, Franklin Templeton wound up a suite of six yield-oriented managed credit schemes. WhatsApp and Social Media were flooded with rumours on how this meant the doom of Franklin Templeton. I was fortunate to be part of an exclusive session where Sanjay Sapre, President, Franklin Templeton addressed a group of bloggers on the winding up of 6 Mutual Fund schemes. The best part of this podcast was that it was a freewheeling chat where we were able to ask questions to Mr Sanjay directly. Its always better to get the answers from the horse's mouth - instead of relying on rumours. What do you think?
Saroj’s Kitchen: #4 Mix Veg Daliya |Power packed, immunity building, broken wheat porridge | Easy to make Breakfast recipe
Broken wheat or Daliya is believed to be one of the most nutritious meal options. Mix Vegetable Daliya (porridge) can be eaten as breakfast or as a full meal. This recipe uses homemade ghee and thus keeps you away from the harmful effects of processed oil. At the end of this recipe, you will get a variation that will delight your family & kids.
Saroj’s Kitchen: #3 Pithor| Easy to Make, Delicious Rajasthani Chai-time Snack | Mother’s Day Special
On the occasion of Mother's Day, I am featuring this recipe that signifies the beautiful bond that my husband, Amarkant Jain shares with his mother. There are several recipes for Rajasthani Pithor or Pithod on YouTube. However, you won't find this one anywhere. This one is a rare recipe passed on from generation to generation, Saroj Mom's mother (my Nani Saas) used to make it in a huge kadai for her 9 kids, in-laws, husband and everyone at home. Naaniji's mom and her mom used to make it too. When you read this recipe, know that you are taking a leaf out of history.
Yes, Toxic Mothers are real| Mothers Day Special
Mothers are the most overrated roles in society today - the role is so over-exaggerated that any child with a toxic mother is unable to express their hatred towards the mother. In order that the world realises that that toxic mothers are a reality and they do exist, I decided to curate this post that contains some of the most toxic mothers I have read about.
#40NotOut | Zoom off to good health | #BlogchatterA2Z
A lot has been happening across the world since the start of 2020. Its the end of April 2020 and it looks like this entire year will be spent either in isolation or emerging from the lockdown. The one thing that people must realise is that as soon as the lockdown is lifted, we will all be hit with immunity issues. That is when the health transformation comes into play. I truly hope & wish that the #40NotOut series has inspired you to walk on the path of healthy eating, proper exercise and a pure focus on health transformation instead of mere weight loss.
#40NotOut | Yes! You deserve good health! | #BlogchatterA2Z
If you go through your life, neglecting your own body and health, everyone around you will do the same. Chin up and take care of yourself and you will see others genuinely respecting you. Take charge of your own life. Eat well, exercise regularly & stay fit. The benefits are immense.
#40NotOut | Make Salt your X | NO SALT Recipes you will LOVE | #BlogchatterA2Z
Recently, Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet since then, I have been flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. I am featuring one NO SALT recipe in this blog post. Do try it at home and share your experience with me.
#40NotOut | Withdraw Salt | Here are Delicious and Healthy, NO SALT Recipes you will LOVE| #BlogChatterA2Z
Well, it has been a 19-month long health transformation journey. I am down by 23 kgs and have never felt healthier all my life! The focus of my health transformation has been FITNESS and weight loss was a healthy by-product of this journey. When Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet, I was flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. Here are Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience. I have featured 2 recipes in the first part. Will feature more in the next blog post.
#40NotOut | New VUCA World Order in Post COVID 19 will be based on individual health & immunity | #BlogChatterA2Z
Everyone is speculating & reimagining the post-COVID World. Experts say that we all need to set a trend for a new human being in the post-COVID World. Still, others are mapping business scenarios for a New World Order. This post is about something that has been playing on my mind for a very long time.
#40NotOut |The Ugliest Fear of My Life|#BlogchatterA2Z
For those who have been following my #40NotOut out series, this title may come as a shock. despite a perfectly happy and healthy life, there is an ugly fear that haunts me every single day. My health transformation has gifted me a happier life where I can live life to the fullest and have loads of fun! However, there is something that is bothering me to no end. Through this post, I wanted to share the fear with you. Maybe you can suggest a solution to my worries.
#40NotOut | These 7 foods in your kitchen are secretly killing your family | #BlogchatterA2Z
The irony is that the very products you are buying to make your family healthy are the same ones that that are harming them. Here are 7 'healthy' foods in my kitchen that were secretly killing my family. I threw them out...read on to find out who the culprits were...
A thriller enthusiast – then Abhay and State of Siege: 26/11 should definitely be on your watch list | #StayHomeToZEE5
If you are looking for an answer to the best thriller web series, I have got two recommendations for you: Abhay and State of Siege: 26/11 on Zee5. If you are looking for an episodic thriller with edge-of-the-seat entertainment quotient then Abhay should be on your thriller watchlist in 2020. If you love thrillers that contain highly racy depictions of real events, then State Of Seige: 26/11 is for you. Grab a popcorn and a hot chocolate and settle in for an entertaining day during the lockdown. #StayHomeToZEE5
#40NotOut | Shut them up! How to handle mean things people say about your weight loss| Funny Post | #BlogchatterA2Z
Kuch toh log kahenge, Logon ka kaam hai kehna... At a social gathering, what is the first statement that people exchange after saying hello? Well, it's either a remark about the clothes or the appearance. Yes, most people are shallow - they judge people on their clothes and appearance. People are not unappreciative - sometimes they just don't know what to say :). Read the rest of the post with a pinch of salt and enjoy your weight loss journey!
#40NotOut | 7 effective ways to rest and recover during health transformation | #BlogchatterA2Z
Many beginners on the path to good health start their fitness journey with a vow to never stop. And that is what they do! They exercise throughout the week without giving the body any rest to recover. as a result, they end up feeling sore and tired all the time. At this stage, most give up exercising saying that it is too hard and makes them very tired. If you are the relentless exerciser then this post is for you!
#40NotOut |Quicken muscle recovery with dietary and vitamin supplements| #BlogchatterA2Z
So, let's face it, hardly 1% of the people reading this blog post are below 18 years of age. Rest of you, like me, have crossed the 30-year mark a while ago. Walking on the path to health transformation means that you need to eat healthily and exercise regularly. When I turned 40, I started my health transformation journey. My doctor advised me to start taking Multivitamins, Calcium, Omega 3. Its always better to consult a doctor before you take any health or dietary supplements.
#40NotOut | Power workout at home given by Fitness Guru – Avinash Khedekar | #BlogchatterA2Z
Many people wish to walk on the path of Health Transformation but constantly complain that they have no time to go to a gym or for a walk or visit a class. If you fall into this category, then this post is for you.
#40NotOut | Observe others and get inspired | 4 Inspiring weight loss stories | #BlogchatterA2Z
There are so many excuses that people have for not getting on the path of good health. Here are 4 stories of common people who overcame all hurdles and transformed their health. All four of them still put in long hours at work but since fitness is part of their lifestyle they always set aside time for exercise and eats wisely through the day. Not a single of these 4 individuals took the help of slimming clinics, crash diets or pills to lose weight. A consistent commitment to getting healthier was their only catalyst for fast weight loss.
#40NotOut |Navigate through weight-loss traps| 5 stories you will love | #BlogchatterA2Z
I could have written a long, boring post on weightloss traps and how to avoid them. Instead, I decided to tell you 5 stories that you will love. You can tell me which one is yours in the comment section below. I will help you with ways of winning the health transformation challenge. 🙂
#40NotOut | Master Easy Cool down exercises for better health and faster muscle recovery | #BlogchatterA2Z
Cooling down is an easy exercise done after vigorous exercise. It allows the body to slowly go back to the resting or near-resting state. The cooling down exercises depend on the intensity of the exercise. If you are running then cooling down could involve slow jog or walk. If you are in a low impact cardio workout like aerobics then it would involve a series of stretches.
#40NotOut |Learn the importance of warm-up exercises | Best 5-minute warm-up | #BlogchatterA2Z
The main focus of an exercise routine should centre around lifting your mood and making you feel light, bright and positive. It's therefore pertinent to ensure that the exercise routine doesn't injure you in any way. A proper warm-up before exercise and a complete cool-down routine post-exercise will ensure minimal injury. When I started my health transformation journey, I started with walking. But I would get a lot of body pain after the walk and I was going nowhere with my weight loss journey. I had embarked on a Health Transformation journey without knowing about the benefits of a warm-up and cool-down routine.
Does right nutrition support building of a healthy immune system? | #EnsureImmunity
The singular lesson that I learned from my recent fitness journey has been that right nutrition supports the building of a healthy immune system. The basic building blocks of good health & immunity are nutrients like Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Other nutrients, including vitamin B6, folate, selenium, iron, as well as prebiotics, probiotics. It is important to get adequate amounts of the following nutrients to support your immune health. Read on to know more.
#40NotOut | Know the right activity to lose weight fast and get healthy | #BlogchatterA2Z
As someone who wishes to walk on the path to Health Transformation and weight loss, you may be wondering the right activity for you. I am a 43-year-old working mother of two wonderful kids. I am sharing my secrets to health transformation through the BlogchatterA2Z series. Here are a few activities that worked for me during my Health Transformation journey. I continue to pursue them happily. A combination of these ensures that I never get bored.
#40NotOut |Judge your plate at social gatherings & watch your health transform | #BlogchatterA2Z
I clearly remember meeting a friend who is grossly overweight and diagnosed with diabetes. He stopped me and started asking me for tips to lose weight. While speaking to me he was wolfing down a full plate of gajar halwa, jalebi and rabri. He kept talking about how he desperately wanted to get fit. Despite knowing that most of you may just ignore my tips, I am sharing them. I have a flicker of hope that it will inspire you all to walk on the path to better health. Read on..
#40NotOut | Increase your water intake for overall fitness | #BlogchatterA2Z
Everyone knows that water is important for the body to function correctly and efficiently. Overall health and wellness can be negatively impacted if we don't drink enough water. While growing we were taught that drinking 8-10 glasses of water was essential for good health. And, the naughty kids that we were, we followed the advice and drank water only when elders were watching. Unknowingly, it became a nasty habit. We simply forget to drink water.
#40NotOut | Healthy Eating is the key to faster weight loss and a healthier life| #BlogchatterA2Z
People often compliment me for my health transformation and ask me: What exactly do you eat? What do you mean when you say you eat healthily? Read on to find out...
#40NotOut | How to generate a fitness regime and stick to it |#BlogchatterA2Z
What is your daily routine like? Is there a way you can squeeze in just 2 hours for yourself? If the answer is NO then you are not ready for a health transformation journey. If the answer is 'maybe' then you can read on and stay inspired on your path to good health.
#40NotOut |Fortify yourself before you begin your health transformation | #BlogchatterA2Z
In this post, I will be talking to you about how to fortify yourself before you begin your health transformation. Warning: Stay & read on only if you are interested in making a positive change to your life. Else, now is a time to shut this blog, pick up a burger and laze while you play with your phone.
23-year-old Good Samaritan | Story of Siddhesh Ghuge – An Unsung Hero | Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Doorstep Delivery during COVID-19 Lockdown
The Corona Virus pandemic forced the Prime Minister of India to announce a total lock down across the country. 23 year old Engineer, Siddhesh Ghuge saw a noble business opportunity where he could act as a bridge between farmers and citizens. That's how the idea of Ghuge Farms was born. Read on to learn about a fledgling company whose backend and logistics were set up in 48 hours. Today this company supplies fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the farms to most of North Mumbai, Dombivli and Palava city. A blessing for Mumbai during the lock down!
#40NotOut | Evaluate facts about weight loss diets. What worked for me?|#BlogchatterA2Z
If you are totally motivated to walk the path of health transformation but are still confused about weight loss diet vs healthy eating habits this post is for you.
Mumbai Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega|Shishir Joshi and Project Mumbai Army during COVID19 Lockdown
While many pseudo-intellectuals were busy updating their social media on how "worried" they were about the daily wage earners and the homeless, the Project Mumbai Army was silently putting up a backend to combat the issue. Read on to learn about how Shishir Joshi and the army at Project Mumbai is serving Mumbai during COVID 19 Lockdown.
#40NotOut |Discuss your health goals with your family|#BlogchatterA2Z
Did you know that Friends, family, sexual and romantic partners can make women feel much more insecure about their bodies than all of the media, doctors/medical practitioners, strangers combined. This post is about overcoming the second biggest barrier to your health transformation - your family. (The first barrier being your own self belief)
#40NotOut |Comparing weight loss to health transformation|#BlogchatterA2Z
People often confuse weight loss and health transformation. While weight loss is a short-term approach that spells the formula for failure. Health transformation is a holistic approach that guarantees physical, emotional and spiritual growth that value adds to the personal and professional of an individual. Read on to know why you keep failing to lose weight.
#40NotOut | How to begin your health transformation & weight loss journey |#BlogchatterA2Z
Well, the first post in #40NotOut was a serious & preachy one: How to activate your health transformation journey? The one you are about to read is intentionally funny and meant to help you identify where you stand in your commitment to fitness. Read on to know more...
#40NotOut |How to activate your health transformation journey? |#BlogchatterA2Z
Chronic fatigue, terrible back pain and lack of energy was a daily story. Every week, I would decide: 'Agle Monday sey exercise karungi' Little did I realise that my entire thought process was wrong. Focussing on weight-loss was the biggest mistake. I didn't know this until one day a simple statement from my son changed my life. Read on to know how to activate your health transformation journey?
#40NotOut: My secrets to weight loss and health transformation | #BlogchatterA2Z Theme Reveal
Well, through #BlogchatterA2Z, I will be sharing my secrets to weight loss and my health transformation journey. I have a very selfish reason for writing these blog posts: I don't want to be the only one to be healthy. Through this series, I aim to inspire others to join me on an amazing journey to good health and fitness. #StayTuned!
Review: Never Kiss Your Best Friend a relatable millennial rom-com totally binge-worthy
ZEE5’s new web-series “Never Kiss Your Best Friend” is a romantic drama like never before. If you are looking for a fun watch after a long tiring day at college or work, then Never Kiss Your Best Friend is the best option for you. Every episode will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. The beautifully told story will make you binge-watch for sure.
7 Reasons why Ritu Kakar’s Love Unexpected is the Best Valentine’s Day Gift
Deep within each of us is a die-hard romantic who is looking for a story with a fairy-tale ending. Many of us have coloured vision due to past negative experiences. It makes us reject anything that is remotely unbelievable. This is something Ritu Kakar seems to have realised. That is why though Love Unexpected is a romance novel, it has been written with believable characters interacting with each other through a gripping & realistic narrative. Readers will enjoy the simplicity, the chemistry and most importantly the different facets of romance the novel explores.
Love is one of the most important ingredients in life: Ritu Kakar | Contemporary Romance Author
Anyone who speaks to Ritu Kakar over the phone or interacts with her over messenger or chat will mistake her for a 16-18-year-old youngster who is bubbling with vivacity & passion. The positive attitude of this die-hard romantic belies her age. It probably has a lot to do with the environment at home. You know her as Ritu Kakar, the Contemporary Romance Author. I know her as a doting mother, loving wife, dutiful daughter-in-law, darling daughter, cute sibling and an amazing 3-am-friend. One chilly winter morning, I visited Ritu Kakar for a steaming hot cup of chai with Parle G biscuits & some gup shup. Rarely does one come across an individual who speaks with so much honesty, passion and innocence. I have had the honour of editing Love Unexpected for Ritu Kakar & it has been one of the sweetest romance stories I have ever read.
Why does my child need yearly shots of the flu vaccine?
Every parent loves their kids and is willing to do anything to ensure their safety. I am no different and thus I ensure that my children get yearly flu shots so that their fun times continue. #IPromiseToStopFlu
Social Media Etiquette 2020 | Choice is yours: remain toxic or learn to express assertively
Through this post, I want to convey the sheer positivity that life brings. There are and have always been reasons to worry about our future & our well-being. We are the generation that has grown up in one of the worst phases of India & since there was no outlet called social media, we learned to express ourselves in a socially acceptable & responsible manner to a closed group of people. If there was an issue, we tackled it the way it needs to be. We didn't go crazy pasting posters on the walls of people who disagreed with our opinions. Social media gives us the power to write anything on anyone's post & it's our choice whether we want to write/comment on a post. The choice is yours: remain toxic or learn to express assertively.
How to be happy & fit | Health Transformation and 2020 Goals
Eradication has been the cornerstone of my health transformation journey. The first thing I did when I started is to remove all negative people from my life. Especially toxic people who projected their own insecurities on me and were always in a hurry to predict my failure. Some of these were friends and others were even family members. Today, you all see me as a person who lost weight, I see myself as a person who overcame life's biggest hurdle - people.
Is the flu vaccine important for my child?
I live in one of the most crowded cities in India, the bustling city of Mumbai. Sure, it is the city of dreams, but it is dotted with filth everywhere. Even five-star hotels are right near dumpsters. Crowded trains, buses, high traffic on the roads is common. The flu virus could be carried by anyone of the many million citizens of this city, with the potential to affect my child or me. A kid's life is divided into two, exam time and fun time, flu is bad news in either of these. I, therefore, got the flu vaccine for both my children to ensure that they continue having fun and being naughty through their childhood. #IPromiseToStopFlu and therefore hope that this post will help other mothers to take a positive step towards their child's safety and health.
How to deal with toxic parents & family members?
Friends, it's easy to succumb to the excuse, 'my parents were mean to me so I don't really know how to be nice to my kids. They will hate me anyways.' Just as Sanjana made a choice, you too have a choice. You don't have to be the very same parent you hated. You don't need to be mean, rude and resentful towards your own children. I am hoping this post helps you to cope with your negativity & channelize it into a beautiful, positive bond between you and your children.
The bravest woman…
Her parents, neighbours and friends urged her to walk out of her marriage. However, none of them had the guts to stand up in front of this monster to protect her. She realised that these people won't keep her with them if she decides to leave him. Where would she go? Live alone? Easier said than done - he took care of her comfort and ensured every material need is fulfilled. ...Read on to know what she did next....
Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT Recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience! | Part Two
Recently, Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet since then, I have been flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. I am featuring one NO SALT recipe in this blog post. Do try it at home and share your experience with me.
Why is Janhavi Samant’s Faaltugiri a must-read for parents and children?
I was unable to attend the book launch of Faaltugiri due to work commitments and when Janhavi asked me to do a Memoirs workshop with her, I first asked her to send me the book before I agree for the workshop. I received a book specially signed for DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter and I must say, when I started reading, I just couldn't stop! Read on to know why this book is a must-read.
Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT Recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience! | Part One
Well, it has been a 19-month long health transformation journey. I am down by 23 kgs and have never felt healthier all my life! The focus of my health transformation has been FITNESS and weight loss was a healthy by-product of this journey. When Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet, I was flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. Here are Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience. I have featured 2 recipes in the first part. Will feature more in the next blog post.
9 reasons why children should learn to play Chess
Parents often question: Why should children learn chess? What are the benefits of learning chess for children? What does chess teach a child? What is a good age to learn chess? Here are 9 benefits of making your child learn to play chess. We hope that we answer your questions through each of the points enlisted in this blog post.
The King Makes His Move | Dr Parinay Fuke | World Youth Chess Championship 2019
It is a great moment of pride for every Indian! For the 1st time, India will be hosting the prestigious World Youth Chess Championship 2019. Organised under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation by the All Marathi Chess Association, a total of over 65 chess playing nations and 700+ players will be competing for 6 World Youth Championship Crowns. DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter got a rare opportunity for an exclusive interview with the Honourable Minister, Dr. Parinay Fuke who heads the All Marathi Chess Association - the main organising body of the World Youth Chess Championship. In addition to leading AMCA, Dr. Fuke is also Minister of Maharashtra State for PWD, Forest & Tribal Development. Through his extremely busy schedule, he always finds time to promote chess & related activities. Read on to know more...
Who says Jainism cannot be practised in Modern Life | Diksha Shah | Varshitap
On one hand, she is a devoted daughter-in-law, loving wife & doting mother of two wonderful kids. On the other hand, she is a well-read, well-educated, former head of a call centre, committed sportsperson, a modern woman and the life of any party. But there is a 3rd angle to her personality: she is deeply spiritual. On a rainy day in Mumbai, I had a chance to meet Diksha over a cup of coffee. The next one and a half hour, I was introduced to Jainism in a way I have never experienced before. Read on to know more...
