Am grateful for today: Taking one day at a time

 

The whole of June passed in a blink of an eye with me itching to write every moment. Come July, I take back to my pen with all my heart, promising myself to complete the umpteen half-penned articles that rest in my notes craving attention. Today is my mom’s birthday and I have to weave my gratitude and love for her in my words to reach her in the heavens above though I will never be able to express how the past eighteen years have been without her hand on my head. I have tried my best to emulate her and at least be a mother figure for my little brother(not so little anymore) but I know it is only the tip of the iceberg compared to what she would have meant and done for him. 

Whenever I re-commence writing after a hiatus I always somehow begin with a gratitude list of everything gone right and forgetting what’s not gone my way. Honestly, I love this fact because penning a piece straight from the heart means so much to me as a writer. There are so many things I wish to talk about the past month including a heartfelt travelogue but today I want to write about what really struck a chord the most. Sometimes we unknowingly speak something so precious that almost defines our life perfectly. 

I had a close relative staying at our place last month who as he entered the house inquired about my general well-being and life and my instant reply was, ‘All is good, just taking one day at a time’. As I said this I felt grateful that God has given me today to live and make this world a better day in whichever little way I can. 

Also what I said has precisely defined my life since the vasti panchkarma debacle I had in May. Unfortunately, I have not had a single painless day since then, and even my doctor is clueless about what went wrong. Thankfully, another doctor, my doctor Bhaiya in Allahabad has put me on a homeopathic painkiller for endometriosis and yes so I am truly living one day at a time not worrying if tomorrow morning I will get up painless or in deep pain. Honestly thinking about tomorrow I may ruin my today. So, yes, I am grateful for the fact that I am capable of surviving it all and am living one day at a time to its full without any regrets and to the best I can impacting and touching lives in whichever way I can. What is gone is gone and I have not seen tomorrow, I love my today and the sweet little joys I weave in it and that is all that matters to me now. 

The power of now is immense if only we realize it, if we yearn to make our today beautiful, imagine how our entire life will be beautiful. Even on days when things didn’t go our way we will be glad and have a peaceful sleep that at least we tried. I want to leave you with this thought today and express my gratitude to all of you for sparing your precious time to read me today, it means a lot to this writer. 

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If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.

Complan in Focus: A Comprehensive Review by a Parent #63PercentMoreProtein

 

Proteins are the building blocks of our body and they are extremely vital, no matter what age we are. But proteins are categorically more important in the case of children as they are growing at a rapid rate. Young children and adolescents until the age of 19 must intake good quality proteins to ensure perfect growth and avoid deficiency. As a mother, I always bear this in mind while catering to my child's nutritional needs. 

 

How does protein help a Child? 

 

 

Proteins help children in developing their bone mineral density and bone mineral content which in turn can determine bone health later in life. Adequate nutrient composition influences bone health and helps in maximising peak bone mass. Therefore, what our children eat today may impact their health lifelong.1

 

Thus, I prefer going the extra mile to ensure I am putting in adequate nutrients including protein to secure the growth of my kid.

 

 

Sources of Protein in a kid’s diet 

 

Ideally, a balanced diet along with carbohydrates, fats, should also cater to the protein requirement of our little ones. Dairy, lentils, nuts, eggs, fish, chicken, etc. are great sources of proteins but I experienced that little children and even tweens and teens are often fussy. In fact, they need adequate protein in diet to ensure their growth is not compromised due to protein deficiency.

 

A nutrition drink I recommend: Complan

 

When I felt there was a sure need for a nutrition drink in my child’s diet, I got lost in the many choices available on the shelf and they all promised to be genuinely beneficial. I came back empty-handed that evening and decided to give it a thought before choosing a perfect nutrition drink. 

 

Finally, I relied on what my mother gave me as a kid and it is Complan. 

 

But why only Complan powder 

 

I wanted to research and be sure why Complan is good and this is what I found:

 

1. Complan contains 100% milk protein                                                                        

 

I also found out that Complan has been scientifically designed for growing children and I was so satisfied. So, just add a cup of milk with Complan to the daily diet to support their growth journey. 

 

 

2. It contains 63% more protein than other nutrition drinks

 

There are 20 amino acids that our body needs. 11 amino acids our body can produce but for the remaining 9 which are called the essential amino acids, we need to rely on the good quality protein food sources.

 

Complan has 100% milk protein and has 63% more protein than most other nutrition drinks.

 

 

3. Complan is also clinically proven to support 2x faster growth

 

Complan provides 34 vital nutrients which supports 2x faster growth in children. Now, I am assured that my child is getting vital nutrients from it as well along with other healthy food sources. 

 

4. Complan supports memory and concentration

 

The vital nutrients in Complan support memory and concentration.

 

Overall, it also adds taste and flavour for the kid to drink milk in seconds making the mom in me happy that I made the right choice.

 

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Complan.

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If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.

 

Braving Vasti panchkarma as a treatment for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

 

Today is the fourth day of  the 8 day vasti procedure I am undergoing for treatment of my endometriosis and adenomyosis and I have braved it so far albeit with a lot of pain and weakness. Vasti is a deep cleansing procedure where they introduce concoctions and oils in your body through anal route for 8 to 16 days when you are suppose eat very basic not oily non greasy bland liquid diet like kichdi n Daliya or vegetables similar to bottle gourd only. It is done to cleanse our body of all the toxins and this is the second time I am undergoing it. 

In my case it has become all the more difficult as I have been advised to not eat the Ayurvedic painkiller I have twice a day for last two years which seems a uphill task being alone at home mostly with husband out of country sending me pics to pep me as much as he can whenever I ask and kid busy labouring hard in his room for his important grade. I am always happier being busy and running here and there guided by a purpose and forget my pain, here though I have no choice.

But what is life without a set of challenges. I sure am stronger than this and soon this is going to be over too. Vasti panchkarma I am sure this time is getting me rid of the Adenomyosis too and endometriosis has already started improving. This is precisely the reason on my being MIA and with all the love and support you all have always given me having my back and pinging me at random hours whenever I had felt low, I am only grateful to all of you and the universe to whom I am sending all the prayers today manifesting:

1. I am completely healed 
2. I am a powerful soul 
3. I am leading a happy and purposeful life 
4. I am strong and capable  
5. I am always physically and emotionally available for my loved ones 

Writing this in Brahma mahurat as the pain doesn’t let me sleep but I know my Sai will let it vanish in no time and I believe pain is nothing but a creation of our mind, so as I go and channelise my energy to get rid of it and rest because that it what I am allowed during vasti. The pic here is only because I can’t share how I look during the treatment. Also sharing the Do’s and Don’ts during vasti for my friends at ‘Endometriosis Awareness and Support group India’ looking for alternate medicine to get rid of endometriosis and Adenomyosis. 

I take a bow to my co-authors of Brave Inked Emotions

 

You know dreams have no meaning until they are powered by genuine intentions. When I dreamt of creating an emotional wellness genuine resource, my dream was fuelled by pure intentions of some precious souls, yes I mean my wonderful wonderful co-authors of Brave Inked Emotions.

So on world book day, take a bow to all of them and raise a toast to their resilience, thank you my dears, you weaved your lives into words to help me fulfil my dream to launch a relatable ‘Emotional Wellness Guide’ and I owe the success of this book with all the love and warmth that it has received to all of you. There are two other things I would like to say, first this book has given me 27 wonderful friends of a lifetime and you all I need forever to stay with me, this book is my baby & you all are my family. 

Second, yesterday someone wrote on a portal somewhere that this book made her feel that she is not alone  and lifted her in the darkest moment by emulating one of you and that’s our success as an author darlings, let’s genuinely keep working to guiding more lives with the power of our words and leave trivial things behind. 

On this note I announce ‘Brave Inked Emotions Vol2’ coming soon and to be a part of the same, please feel free to reach out to me, detailed guidelines will be released shortly. 

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Hi everyone, thanks for dropping by, this is my ninth consecutive   #BlogchatterA2Z and global #AtoZchallenge, and this year I am penning  Pages From the Diaries of Indian Women. In case you wish to check out what I wrote in the last 9 challenges here are the links for 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.

Harrowing and disturbing patriarchy in India (Pages From the Diaries of Common Indian Women-Chapter8)

 

Why do men in India don’t learn to bend down? Why aren’t they taught to accept their partner’s viewpoint even when she is right? Why is a loving and caring husband called a Joru ka Gulam and a loving and caring son considered ideal? Why are dads supposed to provide financially for the children? Why must the entire family obey the patriarch? 

All this may sound outdated to you but no this is the truth of most Indian households even today and the situation is stifling not only for the family who feel claustrophobic and unable to express themselves and often subjected to mental and physical cruelty but also may be for the man who lives a fake life,  happy and gay with his friends and office colleagues but is a changed man at home. Can I give him the benefit of the doubt of having a multiple personality disorder? No, I don’t think so. Then, what is it? 

Only yesterday I read a woman’s plea in a FB support group where she was looking to understand what is wrong with her that her husband is exceptionally good to everyone in the world and to her too in front of outsiders but exhibits zero feelings or attachment for her when at home for years. My heart went out to that lady how difficult it must be for her to sail a lonely boat without any emotional support from her partner. What is the partner thinking? It is not necessary that he is having another emotional and physical anchor in his life or he might be having an extramarital affair or maybe none of these options because against all odds, today I am trying to be kind to that man.

I step into his shoes today and I see the world. Does he not feel like cuddling his wife or giggling with his children? Does he just not like to drop the male chauvinism he has been trained for and for once ask his family their wishes and not order his? I am sure he does because he may be battling so much pressure and politics at work and maybe undue domination by people half his caliber. A home is a place where he can exhibit his supremacy without bothering about how this shatters his wife’s heart in a billion pieces or this is what his children are observing and learning. They may rebel one day and flee with their mom at least many feel this way at this tender age. Sometimes he does so to demonstrate his control to his parents and siblings who admire his discipline or he may boast of it in front of his friends over drinks every evening. But in all this what a fake life he is leading? I am worried about his emotional health. 

I feel he is bearing the brunt of the harrowing and disturbing patriarchy of India too. Not only does his wife and children deserve all the love, but so does he.  Why do you think men have more heart attacks than women? The social stigma must end now, the patriarchy is suffocating. Every child deserves his dad’s love and smile and support to develop strong wings and every wife needs a genuine friend who soaks her in love but above all a husband needs them equally. Only when this unit as a whole is strong can our society become fundamentally strong from its roots. The fakeness needs to melt away.

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Hi everyone, thanks for dropping by, this is my ninth consecutive   #BlogchatterA2Z and global #AtoZchallenge, and this year I am penning  Pages From the Diaries of Indian Women. In case you wish to check out what I wrote in the last 9 challenges here are the links for 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.

 

Gratitude Practice Heals (Pages From the Diaries of Common Indian Women-Chapter7)

Sometimes when everything around me starts going hazy and I don’t know where to start, I sit in a peaceful place, like I am now in the jungle behind my house and just begin penning my gratitude list, so here I begin. 

I am grateful to the universe for: 

1. The gift of writing which helps me express my deepest thoughts as musings and when I write my heart out I  feel more sane, more in control. Writing adds perspective to my thoughts and makes me ensure despite everything not going my way, I am on the right path. It teaches me to hold on for a while and practice patience and self-belief. Writing is my medium of expression, I write when I am happy, I write when I am sad and I write when there is a larger message I wish to give to the community based on what I have just learned. 
2. For my life. I feel blessed to be born a human who has an intellect and can use it for his or her betterment and for the betterment of the world. However, I love flying and would love to be a bird in my next birth:)
3. For my confidence that I keep sailing no matter what the circumstances are. Life keeps throwing lemons at me and I am addicted to making a lemonade out of them now. 
4. For being able to get up every time I am depressed and sulking and breaking in tears at the drop of a hat. This phase surely is tough and lonely but somehow I stick to the bleak ray of hope and figure out little ways of staying afloat. 
5. For my husband who has been a wonderful companion mostly and for my son who has my back always and listens to all my rants patiently. These two have always been my entire life. 
6. For my friends who have been bestowed on me in abundance by my Sai and they know exactly when I need them. It is miraculous but it is now my superpower. 
7. For a peaceful calm life driven by purpose where I manifest, I pray, I meditate, I do good and I try to smile. I have a thousand conversations with myself and am now a good friend of mine. 
8. For the food on my plate and the roof above my head. Yes, I am grateful for it and pray the same for everyone on this earth. 
9. For my brother who is the best gift my parents gave me. He is an innocent soul with whom I can share my heart whenever I feel like it. It is an absolute blessing to have a sibling and I am grateful for him. 
10. For my Ayurvedic doctor who keeps me afloat with her medication. 

By the time I end my gratitude list, I start to feel better already because practicing gratitude heals. Thank you universe for all this and more you send my way every day.

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Hi everyone, thanks for dropping by, this is my ninth consecutive   #BlogchatterA2Z and global #AtoZchallenge, and this year I am penning  Pages From the Diaries of Indian Women. In case you wish to check out what I wrote in the last 9 challenges here are the links for 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.

Finding True Happiness when one faces Midlife Crisis (Pages From the Diaries of Common Indian Women-Chapter6)

 

Every stage in our life is crucial. Our childhood and youth pass in the blink of an eye for most of us, studying, building our careers, and then family, it is midlife when the void hits hard. 

I have learned the hard way that there are two ways of dealing with a midlife crisis. First, we go with the flow, slowing down with our slowing metabolism making the hormonal imbalances and menopause the cause of everything because they do alter a woman’s life and thoughts. In this case, sulking and feeling sad and lonely is natural because you are no longer in the prime of your youth. We also start challenging the purpose of our existence. Some of us complain while others keep building stress inside themselves, which can make them sick. 

The other way of dealing is by being grateful for all the time you have at hand now and doing what you always wanted to but could never make time for. Start a passion project. Join a new course. Read the book you always wanted to read. Go for long nature walks. If you are a writer indulge in weaving meaningful pieces. If you are a marathon runner train hard for it and if you want to cycle around the length and breadth of the country, the time is now, go for it. Find your IKIGAI- The Purpose of Your Life. Set Goals and train yourselves to fulfill them. The smile that you will bring to someone’s face will lift you up like nothing else. You can also resume your career and if already in one you can use this time to take the leap of faith and make a jump.  Precisely, find things that give you true happiness and build your schedule around them.

Avoid rotting at home (until it is your free rest time) because it makes you fiddle with useless demotivating thoughts, rather get up and do what you have always dreamt of. Procrastinating takes us nowhere but having a disciplined life guided by a purpose does. Also, correct your mistake of basing your happiness on others’ moods, it will land you in more self-doubt rather devise your own ways to channel your life based on your own happiness which is not dependent on others. 

I am Prerna and I have cried my heart out until very recently at the drop of a hat as the void was swallowing me. When my family got busy in their own world I panicked with having nowhere to go but now I am more settled with the idea of leading a meaningful journey alone. I want to transform my midlife into the most fruitful time of my life in which for the first time my priority will be self-love.

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Hi everyone, thanks for dropping by, this is my ninth consecutive   #BlogchatterA2Z and global #AtoZchallenge, and this year I am penning  Pages From the Diaries of Indian Women. In case you wish to check out what I wrote in the last 9 challenges here are the links for 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

If you like what I write, you can grab copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, for My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart and Brave Inked Emotions. Also, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and Emotionally Strong Women Of India, I would love for you to join me in my mission or approach me for any women's health-related (physical/mental/emotional) assistance you seek.