Tag Archives: healthy living

Self-Awareness

5 Minutes To Heaven

Video

WARNING: This exercise shifts your vibrations quickly and very powerfully! It creates DEEP IMPACT, in a super short time and changes vibrations of your body, mind, spirit – health, emotions and soul and improves your relationships, abundance, sense of well-being, reduces stress and more! Proceed only if you need all or any of these ;) Watch the VIDEO HERE

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Isn’t it surprising how little kids today can use the word ‘stress’ so commonly. Is stress supposed to be in a child’s dictionary? No! But unfortunately, it is the truth of today’s world.

In this fast-paced, highly demanding world, it is easy to become the non-stop robot that does-does-does and never stops. Our bodies and minds have become machines that are constantly working even when we are asleep. No wonder, a lot of dissatisfaction fills us today. We are unable to give our mind and soul the food it yearns – silence and peace.

In my practice as a psychologist, Life-coach and kids mentor, I have found that more Moms and children stressed, depressed and anxious than have ever imagined. The stories you see on Facebook are most often a wonderful Façade. In fact, the best ones you see are the ones ‘hiding’ the most. I have found value in giving Moms quick, short exercises proves way more helpful than advice for meditating or for an entire life-style change all at once. It can be too scary to tell you to stop eating sugar, start sleeping early and keep a healthy routine. We know that most often it’s just not possible. Our day starts at night and goes on till the next night and it’s non-stop ;) Even in sleep we are planning how to go about ‘tomorrow’ and day after and planning 10 years ahead too! Haha. It sounds funny but I understand the stress totally. India, USA, Australia, no matter where we live, we want to give our family the best and yet we forget it is so important to PAUSE, RELAX and even RECEIVE or in other words, GIVE OURSELVES something too – especially time and appreciation.That is called ‘Mom’s Life’ after all. So what then can be the solution?

Here it is – your 5 Minutes to De-stress, 5 Minutes to Heaven! This exercise is a quick 5 minute exercise that can create a HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT quickly. All you need to commit is to do it twice a week. 10 minutes a week! Totally doable! And the best part is that you can do this exercise while bathing, driving, walking, in bed or just about anywhere. This exercise applies to any child 4 years + who is growing developmentally at his or her age level.

I call this exercise ‘THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE’. In our non-stop, fast pace, constant GO-GO-GO life we have often forgotten to verbally or consciously express gratitude towards the little things in life. Finding happiness in the small stuff, the fact that we have eyes to read this article, a functional brain to comprehend it, a family to share our joys with, a home to save from the cold weather, foot wear, roads to drive on to go to work, clean water to drink and the list can be a million things. By no means do I mean to reduce the importance of your struggles.

Only you can understand the pain that you are in with all that goes on in your life and yet for a few moments, we can choose to keep that pain aside just for 10 minutes in a WEEK and truly look deep into what our lives would be without all that we had and have! Hope you enjoy the video Moms and give me your take on this one.In what other ways do you express Gratitude towards all that you have?

It is great to know and say that I don’t need to say it, I already feel gratitude and yet it is like the “I Love You” which you love to hear your kids say to you. You know they love you and yet you want to hear it over and again, I do too! In the same way, the Universe wants to know what we love about it, what we are happy to have so that it can keep giving us that and more! Watch my video where I explain this exercise with ease. 

Remember: This exercise shifts your vibrations quickly and very powerfully! It creates DEEP IMPACT, in a super short time and changes vibrations of your body, mind, spirit – health, emotions and soul and improves your relationships, abundance, sense of well-being, reduces stress and more! And it can be practiced by children too.

Much Love, Rima Desai

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Self-Awareness

Top 12 Ways to Beat Your Sugar Cravings

Umm, sugar is so yum. How can anyone have coffee or tea without ‘S-U-G-A-R’!! But it is also the most contagious ingredient and the biggest enemy of the heart! So let’s ‘manage’ it. Bring a balance.

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1. DIAGNOSE IT CORRECTLY: sugar cravings are a lot more about something else and a lot less about ‘sugar’. We crave sugar for a reason other than the sugar. The sugar has a potential to give our brain ‘happy signals’ so what else is your brain missing which could bring the ‘Happy Feeling’? Love? Nutrition? Food when hungry? Relaxation?

2. EAT MORE DARLING: S-T-O-P starving!! It never helps, not in the short term and it 100% harms in the long-term. You rather eat 6 small meals a day every 2.5 to 3 hours than have 3 large plate-fulls.

3. PLAN AHEAD: What are you eating at the next meal? Decide before you wrap up this one. That way you are not scrambling for food when your stomach is screaming ‘Hunger’. What choices to make at the party / travel? E.g. eat ahead and then leave, pack health food, plan to visit places that give you healthy food options, etc.

4. SEEING IS BELIEVING: Our brain is so programmed to ‘see’ things before interacting with them. So let your brain interact with the healthy stuff more and you have won your battle half way through. Right now check what your pantry and snack drawer shows you when you open it? Do you see more sugar or more health? Also, keep your meals READY in See Through containers right at your vision.

5. ATTRACTION IS THE KEY: You are building a RELATIONSHIP with your food, so better make it attractive!!! While you decide on MORE salads, soups, oats and juices, add some nuts, seeds, cilantro, dates, raisins, strawberries or whatever your require to make your body CRAVE for the healthy food in the same way as it craves for the sugary foods.

6. RAKE THE FAKE: Rake out or throw away all your fake sugars – sugar free, diet cokes, Splenda, etc. are very harmful to our brain since they are more processed and contain essences or ingredients that are chemically harmful. You rather have a whole bar of chocolate with sugar in it than have one piece of sugar free chocolate. Your body can fight out the former much more easily since it is much less complex food!

7. CUT THE BRANCH: Stop ‘Hanging Out with your Guilt’ forever. You ate it, that moment is gone forever! You criticizing yourself, thinking about it a 1000 times, beating yourself up will not help one bit. Rather take a pen-paper, write your next goal, stick it on the wall

8. WHO ARE YOUR REALLY?: Ask the Sugar – “Who are you really?” Is the sugar your hurt from past relationships, resentment and bitterness towards your parents, partner or friends? Is it your habit from childhood to protect yourself or to make yourself feel better? Is it your way to relive your happy moments that you miss or just the lack of enough sleep?

9. SLEEP EARLY: Do this for 30 days in a row, sleep before 10.45pm and a 100% you will see a dip in your addiction, weight, stress and a growth in your health. Now, I am in the challenge too, I need to be accountable as well.

10. FOOD JOURNAL: My Dietician Anuvi taught me this in 2006 and it has been my savior whenever I put my mind to it. Note down every little thing you ate, in each of its amount and time of the day and run back on your notes each week. You will surprised how many times you told you mind – “I am only having a little bit” Food Journals have great ‘mirroring’ power, use it to your benefit.

11. KNOW YOUR FOOD: Carbs is also sugar. The chapatti and grapes are sweet tasting because they have carbs which convert into sugar in our body. Do your best to include more proteins, fiber and less sugary veggies in your diet.

12. BUNK THE CALORIES: In the 18 kgs I shed in a year, not once have I looked at calories. Eat clean carbs, more protein and some fats.

Article Credit: Inspired by Kathy – my once upon a time, Fitness Trainer Friend

Image Credit: Flickr found on Google images.

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OATMEAL – NUTTY & FRUITY

Prep. + cooking time is just 10 mins! Early morning nuisances is a Ghar Ghar ki Kahani. “Jaldi Khao!” Well, this recipe is for that naughty rebellion, the slow eater or the typical kid who eats with his eyes.

I enjoy oats thoroughly. I use them in several ways and here is a recipe inspired by my fruit cravings and allergy to milk. I love fruits, nuts and oats but never before have I thought of putting them together in such an amazing way. Since I am the mom who is always on the go, with a long list of things to do daily, I need something quick for ME in not my daughter ;) I am also a VEGAN, SOY and ALMOND allergic, so this recipe is perfect for my sweet tongue and early morning starve!

Makes for Kids 3 years +
Makes a great taste for the Adult Kid too ;)

The best part of this recipe is that it is very flexible. You can modify your choice of fruits, seeds and nuts or leave them out. You can cut them smaller for toddlers and add more sugar if needed. Also, since this recipe has Banana, serve it immediately or add all fruits just before serving. You can keep them chopped and stored separately for later use.

I took OLD FASHIONED QUARKER OATS here but you could take Instant Quarker Oats if needed.


Since this is for 2 to 3 kids, you can reduce or increase the quantity of each item as needed. Half an apple, half a big banana, 7 medium strawberries, 1.5 Tbsp. of sunflower + pumpkin seeds, 1.5 Tbsp. of Pistachios, 2 rolled wafers (optional) and 1/4 Tbsp of Sugar. Add RAISINS and CRANBERRIES if your kids like them :)

COOK AND PREP.

Oatmeal in the hot water for 8 – 10 minutes (as you usually cook oatmeal). Add the raisins and cranberries from the start (when the water is getting heated). While the oats are cooking, chop your fruits fine or medium sized. Once the oats are cooked, switch off stove, add the fruits you desire. You can add apricots for kids who need more iron or any (non-sour) fruits of their choice.

Add the nuts, seeds and sugar as per your choice. Almonds, walnuts, cashew halves, etc. . Add the rolled wafers if you are ok with it (once in a while) and you are good to go! This is a HEAVY MEAL. It is highly satiating, nutritious, filled with carbs, proteins, vitamins and minerals, perfect for breakfast and on the go moms.

Add milk if desired but I would not recommend it given the mix of fruits. This recipe requires very less sugar because banana, apple and raisins made it sweet. 1/4th Tbsp of sugar per child is a great breakfast. Cereals typically have a LOT more sugar than that.

Prep. + cooking time is just 10 mins! Early morning nuisances is a Ghar Ghar ki Kahani. “Jaldi Khao!” Well, this recipe is for that naughty rebellion, the slow eater or the typical kid who eats with his eyes.

I enjoy oats thoroughly. I use them in several ways and here is a recipe inspired by my fruit cravings and allergy to milk. I love fruits, nuts and oats but never before have I thought of putting them together in such an amazing way. Since I am the mom who is always on the go, with a long list of things to do daily, I need something quick for ME in not my daughter ;) I am also a VEGAN, SOY and ALMOND allergic, so this recipe is perfect for my sweet tongue and early morning starve!

Makes for Kids 3 years +
Makes a great taste for the Adult Kid too ;)

The best part of this recipe is that it is very flexible. You can modify your choice of fruits, seeds and nuts or leave them out. You can cut them smaller for toddlers and add more sugar if needed. Also, since this recipe has Banana, serve it immediately or add all fruits just before serving. You can keep them chopped and stored separately for later use.

I took OLD FASHIONED QUARKER OATS here but you could take Instant Quarker Oats if needed.


Since this is for 2 to 3 kids, you can reduce or increase the quantity of each item as needed. Half an apple, half a big banana, 7 medium strawberries, 1.5 Tbsp. of sunflower + pumpkin seeds, 1.5 Tbsp. of Pistachios, 2 rolled wafers (optional) and 1/4 Tbsp of Sugar. Add RAISINS and CRANBERRIES if your kids like them :)

COOK AND PREP.

Oatmeal in the hot water for 8 – 10 minutes (as you usually cook oatmeal). Add the raisins and cranberries from the start (when the water is getting heated). While the oats are cooking, chop your fruits fine or medium sized. Once the oats are cooked, switch off stove, add the fruits you desire. You can add apricots for kids who need more iron or any (non-sour) fruits of their choice.

Add the nuts, seeds and sugar as per your choice. Almonds, walnuts, cashew halves, etc. . Add the rolled wafers if you are ok with it (once in a while) and you are good to go! This is a HEAVY MEAL. It is highly satiating, nutritious, filled with carbs, proteins, vitamins and minerals, perfect for breakfast and on the go moms.

Add milk if desired but I would not recommend it given the mix of fruits. This recipe requires very less sugar because banana, apple and raisins made it sweet. 1/4th Tbsp of sugar per child is a great breakfast. Cereals typically have a LOT more sugar than that.

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Falafel Fiesta – Yum!!

Chick pea paste with Tahini Dip on the right

Chick pea paste with Tahini Dip on the right

Although Falafel is a Mid-East recipe, every Indian knows how to incorporate his /her own taste and definition to a recipe from around the world. In case if you haven’t already heard, Indians are good ‘Creative Copy-Cats (CCC)’, the way I put it! lol

So here is my CCC Falafel half inspired by me watching my talented aunt cook Falafel a few years ago and half inspired by my crazy mind. This purely Vegetarian dish can also be made VEGAN by keeping out the Optional Ingredients and can be awed for its nutritional fillers- high proteins, calcium, iron, with moderate carbs and fats.

We need:

  1. Butter as per needed on the bread slice when preparing final serving
  2. ½ Onion – white or red (in India onions are way smaller in size, may require to use 2 onions, refer to my picture below to know the quantity)
  3. 2 inch stick of cinnamon
  4. 2 cloves
  5. 1 tsp black pepper – crushed or powder
  6. Sesame seeds – ½ cup
  7. * Optional ingredient: Yogurt – ½ cup
  8. Salt as per needed for each time of use
  9. 1 cup chick peas or garbanzo beans soaked for 6hours.
  10. 1 big palm sized potato or equivalent number of small size
  11. * Optional: Paneer – cottage cheese, crushed to make half to one cup. Make at home by boiling and tearing boiling milk with vinegar or lemon. You can find tons of recipes for how to make paneer at home or get Ready paneer from store. In Usa, you will find Paneer in the frozen section of Indian stores
  12. * Optional: Cheese – 1/4th cup
  13. Tabasco: 4drops
  14. Sriracha Sauce: 1/4th to ½ tsp (as spicy as you want

HOW TO COOK IT

  1. 20150408_181124 Roast white sesame seeds in a non-stick pan on med to low heat until they turn light brown. Stir every minute, making sure you are tossing those seeds around pretty well. They do love carousel rides!
  2. Once light brown remove from stove and allow to cool in a cool area of home, preferably out of the kitchen and under the fan (make sure your fan is clean ;))
  3. Meanwhile, we will prepare the base of our stuffing.
    20150408_180147 chop fine. Red onion is ok too.
  4. Pressure cooker or any untensil to boil the garbanzo beans.
  5. In med. to big sized Pressure Cooker (or Rice cooker), 1 Tbsp of oil; when hot, add 2 inch stick of cinnamon, 2 cloves, 1 tsp crushed black pepper or black pepper powder.
  6. add onions, roast on med to high flame till translucent in color.
  7. Add garbanzo / chick peas and fill water to 2-3 inches above chick peas.
  8. To make the chick peas softer, add salt to
  9. Boil in cooker with 6 whistles. (Adjust whistle no. as per your cooker)

20150408_180303 Kept to boil in pressure cooker

10. Meanwhile we will make our own version of ‘ Tahini Dip’. Crush the cooled sesame seeds in a dry grinder 1st 20150408_183101

11. Once crushed, add 1 Tbsp cooking oil to the dry, ground sesame powder. Churn it once if needed. Add 3 Filled Tbsp of Yogurt (*optional, this is my own addition) and store this dip in a tightly covered container to preserve the flavor.

12. When the pressure cooker cools, separate the potato from the chick peas

13. Peel potato skin. Mash the boiled, peeled potato and add paneer – cottage cheese. Top with salt and 1tsp of red chilli powder (add more or less as per requirement)

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14. Add quarter cup cheese

15. Mash the chickpeas, potato, paneer all in one

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16. Add salt, tabasco 4 drops, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce (as spicy as needed)

20150408_184801 (1)

17.  images All the parts are ready. Unlike Traditional Falafel, I do not make them into balls. I leave it like a paste.

Chick pea paste with Tahini Dip on the right

Chick pea paste with Tahini Dip on the right

18. Take your Bread slices, add butter, layer with tahini dip, chick peas paste, bite into this delightful dish!

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