Product Review- MamaEarth

My little niece is only four months old and we are very careful with the products we use for her. So when we received the Mama Earth Lotion, Shampoo and Diaper Rash samples. We weren’t very keen. Rather we decided to try the lotion on our hands, just to see how good it is. It moisturised beautifully without being greasy or sticky. And the mild fragrance was a hit with the whole family. And the best part was that it was not sticky. And we needed a very small amount to moisturise our hands. Obviously we checked the literature and found that the products were toxin-free, dermatologically tested, hypo-allergic and suitable for young babies. But what really impressed me was the Diaper rash cream. My niece was suffering from a bad case of rash for a few days. Like all babies of this age, she has extremely sensitive skin. The more popular rash creams and many home remedies like coconut oil and vaseline had not helped. And the constant itch kept her uncomfortable and unhappy. The skin was red and tender! We were leaving her without a diaper for long periods of time. Finally, we decided to try the Mama Earth Diaper rash Cream. To our relief and pleasure, the rash started clearing out only after one application. The itch reduced and she clearly was more comfortable and less irritable. Unlike many other more popular brands that we had been using, MamaEarth really improved her rash. Impressive, isn’t it. These new baby products in beautiful white bottles were effective and had enough for many uses. 

#MamaKnowsBest #toxinfree and @mamaearth.

My Weight-loss Drama

For the last few months, I had been obsessed with losing weight. Not that I don’t constantly try to be slim and look slimmer! But the craze began when one regular boring day, I hurriedly looked into the mirror before rushing out of the door and noticed the beginnings of a potential double chin. At first I thought that it’s the mirror’s fault. Then, I wondered if I am simply pushing back my chin into my chest. As you might have guessed none of those were the reason. But my stride was broken and I was already exploring how deep this double chin problem was.

So, I took out the dusty weighing machine from under the almirah and exhaled to stand on it. When the needle finally stopped, I gawked with disbelief. 2.35 kilos extra! As you can imagine the .35 was particularly disturbing. Perhaps the weighing machine is finally broken, I thought. It was quite an antique which I had used only to weigh my suitcases for international travel, in the recent past. Or, perhaps I am just standing wrong. So I stood again, this time on a different place. And again. And again. And with a heavy heart I admitted that perhaps I need to tackle my weight.

The next day, I raided the internet to find the fastest ways to lose weight. And immediately went on a diet. In the next few days I was decidedly the authority on the diet fads and had attempted most. But the weighing machine wouldn’t budge. Frustrated and furious I decided to change tactic. It was time to work on my health. Weight loss would happen –I told myself. So, in tight track pants and fancy pink sneakers, I went to explore a few local gyms. And quickly finalized one that met the three important criteria- monthly changes, feel good factor and distance from home. Every morning, for the next few days, I went to the gym to run, lift, pedal, push and bend. But even after a fortnight of aching hamstrings and sore biceps, my weight showed no signs of going away. I felt rather cheated. So, frustrated, I had a straight talk with the gym instructor. To my protests, the stout, flat-bellied, tight t-shirt wearing, muscle-man replied rather nonchalantly “ma’am, khane paar bhi dhyan rakhiye. Waise bhi fifteen days hi toh huye hain”. (Ma’am, Please pay attention on your food as well. Fifteen days is too short a time to lose weight). I gawked at him in disbelief! How many more days does he think it would take, and how many days does he think I would continue to jaunt, hopp and crunch, I did not know. But I had an inkling that he wanted regular business more than my weight loss.

In any case, I thought I should trust the Indian way rather than run behind the western machines. And with that insight, I pulled out my yoga mat from behind the old toys in the almirah and washed it clean. Yoga, I knew, is our age-old way of having a healthy body, mind and spirit. The next morning, in my track pants, I did five surya namaskars and quickly took my weight. Nothing changed. Maybe too early! While I continued to do yoga, I couldn’t forget what the gym instructor had said. “khane paar bhi dhyan rakhiye”.

So on my next trip to the market, I picked up the most popular book in the weight loss genre, Loose your weight, Not your mind by Rujuta Diwekar. If she could make Kareena Kapoor, the self-proclaimed paranthe eating Punjabi foodie be a size zero, she can definitely make me lose 2 kilos. No? In the next few days, as I read I realized that nutrition and food actually have a huge effect on weight and health. Well, in hindsight it seems ridiculously obvious. What surprised me was that seventy percent of weight loss is food and thirty percent is exercise. I realized I needed a high fiber, high nutrition, slow burn carbohydrate meals in the mornings. The fiber would fill me up, the slow-burn carbohydrates would ensure that I am full of energy for a longer time and the high nutrition will help me look, feel and be healthy.

I quickly realized that Oats is the one for me! Oats is a high nutrition grain that gave me energy for a longer time, making me less hungry throughout the day. Also, Oats have beta-glucan which enhances the immune system and reduces the risk of diabetes. They have avenanthramides that help prevent free-radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The science was undisputable and compelling.  So, I went with the best and bought Quaker Oats-unprocessed and organic! Not only did I trust the quality but it was available in many sweet and savory flavors. I started enjoying a bowl every morning and afternoon.

Neither the Oats nor Yoga led to immediate weight loss but they made me feel healthier and happier. And by now, I understood the science behind the foods and exercise. I realized that there are right kind of foods for different times of day and right kind of exercise for different results. And Oats is one of the best morning meals. This understanding helped me to stick to my regimen. And one fine day, the weighing machine needle moved!

But, in the process of losing weight, I had gained health, energy and strength!

Pregnancy: Euphoria, Depression and Anti-depressants

 Are anti depressants safe during pregnancy? No. Not always!

Should you continue to take them? Yes, maybe.

The subject of antidepressants during pregnancy is riddled with confusion and controversy. Traditional wisdom of family and friends would make you believe that motherhood is the happiest event in your life. In most part they are right. But, while motherhood is a fulfilling journey, pregnancy is the most stressful event for a woman’s body. With hormones raging and body structure changing; with muscle cramps and nauseous mornings; with hunger pangs and food aversions, the body and mind play a peek-a-boo with each other- not always warning before throwing in surprises.

Don’t get me wrong. The anticipation of a healthy and happy baby is indeed the most deserving reward to cope with the stress of pregnancy. But not everyone and not every time can we remove ourselves from the realities of our lives to enjoy this journey. Often family and friends’ advice that you must stay happy for the well being of the the baby. This kind of premise and pressure has forced women through the ages to ignore what their bodies, minds and doctors have told them relentlessly- that the well being of their body and mind is paramount.

There is no argument that anti-depressants come with the baggage of side effects and risks. However, often the benefits surpass the risks. One can recall why they started the treatment in the first place. The assessment of whether anti-depressants are a greater risk to the baby or the lack of medication is more detrimental to the mother is not an easy one. Two innocent lives hang in the balance. While we always prefer medical choices in black and white, they seldom are. Each case is different and each body is unique. The duration of depression, the triggers and the severity of the ailment have to weigh in. The kind of medication, the support system, and the risks to the baby have to be considered. But all said and done it is the expectant mother and her doctor who have to draw the line on the sand. Most doctors would be candid and clear in mentioning the risks and would insist on close observations.

No doubt that the mother-child bond is eternal, but motherhood is not a solitary journey. Those who deal with the typical situation of being on anti-depressants during pregnancy must consider these three simple pointers to make the journey smoother.

Rope in family and friends: Family and friends provide the warmth and love much required in this special condition. They can comfort and calm you like no one else. If you can’t always invite them over, consider visiting them regularly or moving in with your mom or sister for a couple of weeks. Engage in groups activities, go out on a picnic or cook a meal together or watch fun films. The time spent would be memorable!

Go for regular counselling: Counselors have a unique training to reveal the harshest truths in the gentlest ways. Regular counselling helps is letting the steam off, sharing your worries and concerns and prevents single lens view by bringing in new perspectives. Consider them as agony aunts and don’t miss the appointments.

Exercise religiously: In the last few years there has been a boom in the health industry and no one needs telling the benefits of working out. From brisk walks on outdoor tracks to yoga and meditation groups, the options are not limited, even in your condition. Exercise will keep your mind and body healthy. And it will keep you looking your beautiful self!

But what you must always know is that you can walk this tight rope balance, and soon all this would be over!

50% off on Womanhood

The white silk polka-dot blouse slipped smoothly settling gently on my slender shoulders. The salon-set curls kissed the base of my neck. Peering through the mirror were the heavily kohled eyes while I colored my lips in the most fashionable color of the season- rust orange! It complimented my ivory skin and brought out my eyes. A final check and a smile to the mirror and I was ready. And just then the worst thought- self doubt- maybe the neckline was a little deeper than I should wear! Is the makeup too much? But I pushed these wretched self-defeating thoughts out. Today was the day I celebrate ‘being me’. I swirled around- with my bouncy hair and fish-cut long skirt swinging with me. I slipped my feet into the new black stiletto sandals, picked my handbag. And off I went.

“Reena, I’m leaving. And tea is left in the pan. Drink it before it is cold” – was my only instruction as I stepped out. Reena was my household help and she had been with us for 2 years.

Anyway, back to my day. So, I was going to meet my girlfriends in Khan Market at the ‘The Townhall’. The car whizzed through the city roads, the radio was playing ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys when I saw a massive billboard offering big discounts on a high-end apparel brand, nudging me to ‘Exercise My Choice’. I had heard the phrase earlier…in Deepika Padukone’s Vogue video. With flowing hair and bare waist- Deepika had talked about how marriage, sex, motherhood- were all my choice, not his privilege. But my thoughts of Deepika and my choice faded away as I reached the restaurant. Promptly I hopped out to join my friends inside.

We were a bunch of ten women who met up occasionally, to celebrate and share our lives. And today we were all in a jovial mood. Most of my friends were already there. I joined the laughter and chatter. Exotic food was ordered and refreshing drinks were refilled. From latest sales to kid’s school, from upcoming holidays to expected guests- we talked about everything. Many of my friends had been gifted something special today. Chetna showed off a new rock on her finger. Richa had been surprised by the bouquet of flowers. And Nina was glowing after her Spa treatment that morning! The evening finally came to a close. We walked around the market and picked up random tit-bits that fancied our eyes. And then bid each other goodbye. I returned home tired but happy.

It was past 10 at night when I dumped the shopping bags on the sofa. I quickly changed into my night clothes. As I sat in front of my dressing table for the night beauty regimen, I heard Reena’s quiet, sheepish steps. She picked up my clothes to fold and turned back to leave. On the door, she paused, turned back and said. ‘Madam, Happy Womans Day.’  I gave her a broad smile and wished her the same. She left without another word.

As I sat in front of the mirror, I wondered what women’s day meant for her. Reena had spent today, like any other day- cleaning and cooking. She did big and small errands for us- made tea for me, offered water to the guests, folded my clothes, dusted the bookshelves… For her, life is not her choice. It was mine. Her daily routines are dictated by our movements and moods, for a salary that she saves and sends back home.

Reena’s life is riddled with responsibilities towards her family and duties towards her job with me. She doesn’t do what she wants, rather what she must. Being the third daughter, she had always been the unwelcome member of her family. She wanted to study but had to earn instead. And yet, she had no voice in the decisions of her life.

Was Woman’s day not supposed to address her issues. Wasn’t Woman’s day supposed to bring the focus on issues of women. Instead, the commercial trivialization of the day puts the focus on the already privileged- like me; where expensive brands give discounts to get brownie points from women who can afford them. And more importantly, are half the human population of the world going to get one day to celebrate themselves? Can we possibly address all the tough issues with big talks, happy promises, endorsements and celebrations? 

The gifts, flowers and spa treatments that we celebrated the ‘day’ with now seemed juvenile. Perhaps I had not understood the spirit of Woman’s Day. I had simply turned it into another ‘Rose Day’ or ‘Valentine’s Day’.

Helping empower another soul might have been more rewarding. I cannot tell the brands to what to do with the millions they spend on discounts and promotion on Women’s Day, but I knew exactly what I could do. I called Reena back and asked, “Do you still want to study?” The smile on her face was priceless. It was the best gift I got that day.

Reena’s unembellished greeting made me think about what Woman’s Day really meant  for me - to be kind to my own kind, everyday!

Why we love to hate Arnab

Recent research shows that every TV viewing person in India knows at least three people who hate Arnab Goswami. If I was not a statistician, I would have imagined that the total number of Arnab haters in India are more than the total number of people in India. Three times more, to be exact. So that obviously made me wonder - how has Mr. Goswami managed to get such large, loyal and devoted hate club. And yet manages to rake in the highest TRPs every night.

With that intriguing question in mind, I went on to do what any good researcher does - collect primary data. At the next office party, I asked a bunch of friends why people hate Arnab so unflinchingly. My question was almost a whisper in the crowd, but what followed was an uproar. Nearly everyone had an opinion, and boy, did they want to express it. Everyone spoke at once.

“So obnoxious”, somebody commented.

“The intimidating and opinionated moderation is so biased”, went another.

“The mockery and arbitrariness is humiliating”.

“He calls his guests liars, sycophants and cowards. Wonder why they come to the show?”.

“It is a mad crazy circus out there. What’s there to like in it?”, someone pleaded.

The conversation grew a life of its own. My friends started discussing yesterday’s episode where Arnab talked about MPs receiving microwaves and suitcases as gifts. He had bullied his panel and mocked them, saying, ‘while India goes to sleep after a cold meal, you need hot dinners to work for the people’. And then there were the episodes on JNU sedition charge and JAT reservations. And the BRT corridors and Odd-Ever rule in Delhi a few months back.  Each one, full of screaming and shouting; bellowing and bullying, disagreeing and disregarding. “Reduction of journalism”, was the consensus.

And all along, I was thinking- for a program that everyone claims to never want to watch, they sure seem to watch lot of it!

So why does India love to hate Arnab? For one, he has mass appeal. He takes the higher ground - and the mic, at the same time. Every weeknight he picks the subjects that can be directly blamed on the MPs, MLAs and their chamchas. Then he sits them down, interrogates them, gives them a shout, tells them how India is appalled and horrified at their noxious actions and dubious intentions. He demands apologies and resignations. And on the screen are the head shots of the pickled participants, for us to enjoy their discomfort and chagrin. He is the venting machine for an average middle class salaried viewer. We disrespect our politicians and he trashes them for us; we love belittling our neighbor Pakistan and he does it for us on TV; we love to hate and he sure knows how to make us relish our hatred.

In the polarized world of today everyone has an opinion. Look at your Facebook page, and my guess is four out of five original posts are opinions. Scroll through the comments section and you will realize that everyone has a viewpoint and they are voicing it vociferously. Without concern for other’s sentiments and without regard for correct language, opinions on social media are about one thing and one thing only - getting heard! Arnab’s debates provide avenue for just that. Take a stand, fight for your side and see the opponents being crushed! Unlike the friendly sophisticated discussion panels where story-angles are democratically deliberated and arguments are lost in the spirit of inclusiveness, Arnab’s debates are the comments section on social media. Brief, opinionated and full of spite! And like a boxing match, we are there to cheer our side and enjoy the spectacle along the way.

Arnab’s staunchest, most-boisterous haters are those enlightened souls who know it all. These are the pundits who could give you lessons on the anthropology, sociology, philosophy and all the other –ologies. While inside they may cringe at your ignorance and gullibility, outwardly they are ready to humor you as an equal. Because that’s what a free country means. Their secret sinful desire of name calling, fist fighting, mocking and venting is restricted to snubbing, dismissing and watching Newshour. Arnab’s debates are the soap opera of the pseudo-intellectuals where they can see their polarized opinions mirrored on screen – when Arnab takes their side, they love him, when he doesn’t they simply junk him for being a rustic, belligerent, ignorant fool!

And so it turn’s out, India doesn’t hate Arnab. If anything, we are thankful to him-for saying what we can’t say, to those we wouldn’t be able to and in a way we that’s beneath us! Arnab Goswami fuels are love for hatred and as loyal audiences we comply - we love to hate him.  

 Views expressed on the blog are solely that of the writer.  Join me on FB group PonderLust.