The act of preparing food is known as cooking and every female is related to this activity throughout her life! 
Cooking can happen with choice or without choice. Some ladies have a passion for cooking and they love trying out new recipes, doing experiments with different types of cuisines, and creating out new recipes with various experiments.
I don’t want to expand about food and cooking habits, and healthy food or cooking but I want to share about the sacred aspect of food which we are forgetting in this rush of life. In today’s hectic pace of life, food has become just source of strength and intake has become a rush in activity as we all are always in the crunch of time. We never realize activity which should be given required time and should be taken as the most important activity of the day is the most ignored one!
Recently I met Mr. Suresh Krishnan, manager for Annalakshmi restaurant in Singapore and had an enlightening discussion with him about the sacred nature of food which we always take for granted. Annalakshmi, as most of us know, is an expression of India’s great cultural heritage which brings together the knowledge of taste, flavors, nutrition, and health in a wholesome manner for the benefit of diners. The uniqueness of the restaurant lies in the way it works. Almost all Annalakshmi outlets world overruns on this concept of “Eat as you want, Give as you Feel”. Have your meal first, and pay whatever comes to your mind.
Mr. Suresh Krishna shared that “Any food or drink prepared lovingly, selflessly is delicious and nourishing, not because of its recipe and rich ingredients, but because a self-less heart was at work. There was an absence of ego-principle acting and expecting something in return. Perhaps, that is why we sometimes compliment our hosts for a “homely meal”, just like mother’s cooking.”
When there is harmony, selflessness, joy and cheer in the kitchen devoid of anger, hatred, and worries, the food thus prepared and served as the power of reaching the very depths and nourishing the entire being, rather than superficial satiation of body hunger. Such food makes our body—light, mind-calm, and intelligence—dynamic.
Eating is a sacred ritual, every day in everybody’s life as the prayer goes — “thank you for today’s bread”. Human intelligence is helpless the moment food is pushed down into the gullet. Some other higher intelligence takes over the digestive and other processes nourishing the trillions of cells in our body. In fact, after the primary cooking in the external fire, a secondary level cooking takes place inside our stomach with “digestive fire—Jataragni” of acids and enzymes.
It was really thought-provoking discussion as I realized how sacred is the whole process of food preparation and food intake. If we really follow our ancient philosophies and way of living then there will be less prevalence of diseases around us.So friends lets pledge to give importance to food in our life, let’s follow the right way of preparation, right time of food intake, and the right type of food intake as our body allows. After all, health is wealth!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
A very happy women’s day to all my readers!
Let’s celebrate womanhood with pride and joy and pledge for excellence and abundance in whatever field we are- be it family, job, business or anything they are passionately pursuing.
Ninety-nine years ago, International women’s day was founded to honour the accomplishments of women and to press for equality between men and women. All these years later, there is still so much to do. But things are changing.
The whole world celebrates women’s day in their own style, but I will like to share how women in Rwanda are going to celebrate. Women in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo face incredibly high rates of rape and other violent assault.
On March 8, hundreds of Congolese and Rwandan women will unite on a bridge to demand an end to the violence that has caused 5.4 million deaths and hundreds of thousands of rapes. They will tie together banners of fabric on which they’ve painted their visions for a peaceful future.
To honor and support their resilience, Women for Women International is hosting a global campaign – Join me on the Bridge – which will replicate that meeting at bridges in different cities all around the world in a show of global solidarity. Already supporting the Congolese and Rwandan women in their call for war’s end will be thousands of women from Bosnia, Kosovo, Sudan, the UK and the US.
NEW YORK
In New York City, they are rallying people to the Brooklyn Bridge at noon on Monday, March 8. Sponsors such as Kate Spade New York, Marie Claire and the ONE campaign are also joining them. Project Runway’s Tim Gunn will be in attendance. Self-organized bridge events will also be taking place in other cities, towns, and schools nationwide. They will walk as a large but united group across the bridge and then gather so that you can add your own messages of peace to our peace banner. Along with other bridge events happening around the world on the same day, this event will be filmed and featured in a viral video to be produced and widely released following the campaign.
INDIA
Habitat for Humanity in India is celebrating the strength of women worldwide. Women who are part of the microlending group facilitated by BIRDS, (Brothers Integrated Rural Development Society), will be meeting with over 100 volunteers from different countries to kick off International Women’s Day. The volunteers will help build homes for the families of these women through Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build programme.
AUSTRALIA
On this International Women’s Day, thousands of women (and men!) worldwide will gather on bridges from San Francisco to Congo to call for an end to war and to demonstrate that women can build the bridges of peace and hope.
They hope many will join them at Swinging Bridge on March 8th at 7 PM as they participate in this global campaign led by Women for Women International.
This shows unity in diversity! After all, we are women who can get united for the same cause at any time. Let’s be part of this campaign in some way and contribute our wishes to make it a successful campaign!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
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How to get your child to eat vegetables and healthy food! That has always been challenging
While searching for guidance around I gathered some tips which I want to share with my friends-
1. Praise healthy choices.- Give your children a proud smile and tell them how smart they are when they choose healthy foods.
2. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.”Instead, tie foods to the things your child cares about, such as sports or appearance. Let your child know that calcium in dairy products give strength to their sports performance. Discuss the nutritional value of the food by relating to the benefits they will get.’
3. Give the kids some control– Ask your children to take three bites of all the foods on their plate and give it a grade, such as A, B, C, D, or F. When healthy foods – especially certain vegetables — get high marks, serve them more often. Offer the items your children don’t like less frequently. This lets your children participate in decision making.
4. Sit down to family dinners at night. If this isn’t a tradition in your home, it should be. Research shows that children who eat dinners at the table with their parents have better nutrition and are less likely to get in serious trouble as teenagers. Start with one night a week, and then work up to three or four, to gradually build the habit.
5. Keep healthy food at hand. Children will eat what’s readily available. Keep fruit in a bowl on the counter, not buried in the crisper section of your fridge. And have an apple for your own snack. Remember, your child can only choose foods that you stock in the house.
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
She is young, smart, bubbling with confidence and very entrepreneurial in nature!
Meet Ms. Shradha Agarwal, 26-year-old entrepreneur who loves to try her hands in something new or the other and is creating unique gifts-Diaper Cakes for kids in Singapore.
I came across her while participating in one event where she had a stall for baby diapers cake!
Sounds interesting, isn’t it? What are baby diaper cakes was the question when I first heard about it. Is it yummy? Well, not really but surely a feast for eyes. The main ingredient for the cake is baby diapers and the icing is done with baby accessories such as towels, blankets, toys, and other innovative baby usable products.
These diaper cakes complete a perfect baby shower and new arrival celebration. This exclusive and exquisite gift beautifully lends an authentic and personalized touch and makes the person gifted to feel special. You can let her know the requirements such as having your cake personalize with baby’s name and picture, or would like to have minor changes in the cake design. And be sure that she is not duplicating the copy of your gift for any other customer. The one created for you will never be created for anyone else, that’s the charm. The price range starts from $50 for a single tier cake and can go up to anything between $100-$150 as per tier u require.
So here is a gift that surely wouldn’t be lying around somewhere but would be totally used by the baby, and for once will be noticed by the baby too.
Shradha herself arrived in 2006 in Singapore and since then she is keeping herself busy in various creative activities.
Shradha came to know about Diaper Cakes while searching for unique gifts for kids on the internet in 2008.
Mother of 2-year-old boy Shradha is very innovative and fun loving women. Motherhood at an early age bought many transitions in her, making her a lot more confident and responsible.
Right now she is enjoying her salsa lessons, has added one more portfolio to her resume i.e of being a make-up freelancer as she has just finished her course from cosmoprof makeup institute loves to dress in style and if you meet her she has lots of tips for you for your styling.There is no full stop to her activities as she has started to give her consultancy for innovative gifts which one can buy for their spouse or anybody they want to gift. You can call her and her if full of information whats the best suitable gift for your dear one as per her choices!
Womenlines wishes her best luck for her efforts in making people more beautiful and her gift making endeavors!
Visit http://theinterpreter.multiply.com to know more about her.
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Do you get moody at times? Are you having a problem managing your moods?
Most of the women do, it’s not a surprise as facts show that both men and women have monthly periods of hormonal surge that make them more ‘moody’ or subject to sudden moods. However, women hormonal surges are stronger and therefore reflect deeper on their behaviour.
Well, it can be said women are moody because they are emotional and because they are emotional they are better managers. They can better identify and empathize with their employees and gain their confidence. I came across these facts that Smart women master their moods, that are they live by direction, determination, and decision rather than whim.
While going through so many emotions difficulty comes when we are not able to identify the feeling and understand its intensity. I came across such interesting fact that there are women who let their emotions run rampant. Smart women will shake off their earlier arguments, they will refuse to continue reacting to any comment throughout their day as they dealt with others and made the decision affecting other people. It is said that women who have mastered their moods have a higher tolerance for frustration, use fewer put-downs, handle conflicts more easily, avoid self-sabotaging reactions, and feel more positive about life. If you don’t master your mood they will muddle your mind. Smart women know when to say no, they know when to take a breather. So never be overwhelmed with your work. Often we suffer in silence. We get our feelings hurt when we should get angry, we are hurt we sometimes yell and accuse.
Negative thoughts create nasty moods, which will keep you away from what you want to achieve. Like so many skills in life, mood management requires both determination and skill. Negative moods can be a visible output of inner turn moil.We deal with the same issue again and again. Unresolved conflict forms the foundation of our emotional terrain. Replace blame with awareness, resentment with gratitude, guilt with permission, smart women find their centre their core the inner calm that helps them deflect attacks and resist seductions smart women have learned to connect their body with their emotions. They know what makes them feel calm, collected and confident
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Children need to feel our endless, unconditional love in order to grow, learn and trust. They need to love themselves so they can learn to love others.
It’s a very natural fact for every parent and doesn’t think I am preaching the basics of parenting that please love your child because every parent on this earth loves has boundless love for their kids. My emphasis is on the second line that they have to love themselves first so that they can have the feel of this emotion for everybody around them. This can be done only if he is getting ample of love from his near and dear one. THIS LOVE SHOULD BE EXPRESSED LOVE IN SOME FORM. No doubt that you must be having ample of love for your child but what matters is how you express it. Do you express it by buying gifts and toys for him? Or do you express by taking him out for his outings? Love shouldn’t be dependent upon material things. It should come out straight from the heart and if you express it to your kid in some creative ways then it will leave the everlasting effect on him.
Kids must trust you that no matter what happens, whatever mistake they do they can come to you and you are always there for them. If this trust is there then nothing can come between you and your kid.
I came across interesting sharing from a mother that how she tied a little silver whistle from a long, red ribbon to hang on a wooden heart with a peg and painted the words “Need a little hug? Give a little whistle!” around the edge of the heart. She hung it on the kitchen wall. She was little apprehensive initially and thought that her kids are might too old for that and would think it is silly.But she heard the whistle blew, time by time, year after year. I consider it as a most wonderful way of communicating that kids need our time, they need to talk or need a hug.
If you have will there are ways…Just give a thought how you want to love your kid!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
The Internet has made life easier for women especially those who are freelancing!
All my writer friends, if you are searching for projects for content writing to carry from home and hoping to get paid for that then Chillibreeze is the answer to it. Chillibreeze is a design and content company, which leverages the power of the Internet and the talent pool of India. I came across this site while just searching for home jobs. Chillibreeze has a network of talented writers in its content division and an in-house team of designers in its headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya India. The company is based in The Software Technology Park in Shillong.
Chillibreeze has also empowered many women through its writer’s network. Women want work which provides the flexibility of time so that they can balance work and home with their ease. Platforms like Chillibreeze is a blessing to such women. Chillibreeze Writer Services & Projects provide ample of work resources to a woman, and that too they can carry their work from any part of the world!
Trust and flexibility are the features which Chillibreeze provides to all writers. Just go for it!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
It was a thought-provoking article on 24 of Jan, in Life section of Times of India-‘So what you do?
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Archive/skins/pastissues2/navigator.asp?AW=1264986676921
It reflected the inner quest of individuals to question themselves are they happy with what they are doing? What type of job one dreams for and what type of job one gets is not necessary to be same. It’s really a troublesome question for many individuals while they are being asked the question that is they enjoying their work….what things they enjoy….are they aware of things which they enjoy…..
Women are known for their passion for everything they do, whether its family, work or anything and if they work in the field where their heart lies then they are more passionate about everything in their life. Every individual has some inner passion for some work which brings a twinkle in their eyes. Maybe you are working but you were in love with poetry or sketching or some other hobby which fills you with more energy and life in comparison to your job and then you love to talk more about it than your work. I am not saying that stop working and follow your hobby, but be in touch with yourself.
I just loved the answer when one woman said to the question”Madam what you do?”…she said,”I love dancing and professionally I am a banker!”. Financial independence gives you security in life and every woman should work for it but your passion for your hobby fills you with more happiness in life that will help you to live your life with more contentment so stop leading life as a robot…search that source of happiness within yourself and be happy so that you can make your family happy!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Are you taking your parenting job very seriously?
Then you might be coming in smothering parent category with!
Take a break. Parenting is not a project to be finished with perfection. Its a lifelong journey and it has to be dealt with its requirement as and when needed. Give space to your kids and to yourself too.
Parenting has become a big subject in today’s society and there are abundant books, classes, coaches, to guide you how to be a successful parent. But mind you, if your kid is observing you tensed and always worried. about some issue relating to him, whether it’s his studies, or diet or even hobby class he will never like it. He will more be pleased if he is observing you happy and contented with your life and taking it easy. Don’t create complications and unnecessary pressure for yourself by trying to be a cop parent.
Kids find their parents as their role model and they will exactly behave as you behave in your life. This should be a warning signal for you as whatever emotions also you are going through will affect him and will replicate you the same way when he will grow up.
Start checking yourself if you are interfering in your kid’s life too much. Don’t always be bothered if he is not keeping up perfectly with everything you want from him. Let him be a normal individual who can also make mistakes and learn from them.
Life will be full of happiness and love around if every individual is having space for themselves and enjoying it individually under their own capacity. So stop being a smothering parent and let some oxygen come in between your life.
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Can you believe that you can actually play a game and improve your money management habits?
Have you ever thought about your spending habits, wealth management awareness, and checked your investment knowledge.
It’s interesting but true, there is a board game called cash flow game which will open your mindset regarding issues of your financial life.
My friends don’t think that I am suggesting this game for your kids in the parenting section.
This game is for you all to play with your friends. Many women group like to play games of cards, bingo, crossword and other board games. This game is also just like other board game but it involves money into it. Don’t be afraid as when money comes in between people tend to have fear to lose it. But this money is not your real money. You have to play your instincts with whatever money is provided by the banker of the game.
As Wikipedia describes-“ Cashflow 101 is an educational tool in board game format designed by Robert Kiyosaki(author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad),which aims to teach the players concepts of investing by having their money work for them in a risk free setting (play money) while simultaneously increasing their financial literacy and stressing the imperative nature of accountability.”
The interesting feature of the game is that it is played in two steps. The first step is ‘Rat Race’ and second step is ‘Fast Track’. In the rat race, the player aims to raise his or her passive income level so that it can exceed the character’s expenses. In order to win the game, the player should get her character to buy their dream or accumulate an additional $50,000 in monthly cash flow, and this happens only in second part of the game that is the fast track. While playing the game players have to fill the financial statements so that they can see clearly what is happening with their money. It generally shows how assets generate income and demonstrate that liabilities are expenses. There is also a kid’s version of the game called cashflow for kids.
You do not have to be an accountant to play this game, as the calculations are very simple. The idea of the game is to purchase enough cash flow positive assets to exceed your everyday living expenses. You can do this by purchasing cash flow positive properties, businesses mutual funds and shares. As you work your way around the board, you land on different squares, examples being “paycheck” (where you receive your monthly paycheck depending on your profession) or though you do not have to land on this square to receive your income, just passing it will get you paid.. another example square is “opportunity” where you will be presented with investment opportunities such as businesses, property shares mutual funds etc. Another example square is “doodads” these are unexpected expenses that are often unnecessary and require you to spend your money..for example “Buy Big Screen TV, Pay $4000” Once you have accumulated enough assets to generate a passive income that exceeds your living expenses you are able to leave the rat race and play on the “Fast Track” the outer circle of the board game. Once you are out of the rat race and on the fast track, your goal is to buy your dream which you select at the start of the game. A few examples of the “dreams” are “golf around the world”, “be a jet-setter”, “dinner with the president” and so on.
Abang Abu, an entrepreneur, founder of Now Asia, is quite known for his training and financial courses in Singapore and Malaysia. He has a deep commitment towards young people’s success in entrepreneurship and financial intelligence.
He loves to arrange for the cashflow game if to be played in a big group. This game can be organized in any network for eg communities, office groups, friends group, schools, colleges and other places. Know more about him by visiting www.abangabu.com and www.nowasia.sg
Enjoy playing this money game!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Every parent wants to know how to get kids creative! Isn’t it?
I, as a mother always try to find out various ways how can I help my kid to be more creative, and came across a few interesting ways which can definitely help your kids too.
1-Read, read, and read, at least for half hour daily to your kid. Make it a regular habit in your life. Make sure books you are choosing to read must be story books and can range between fairy tales, moral stories, stories about historical characters. Don’t read for the sake of reading. Try to be dramatic and read with all sort of expression you can but make sure you don’t overdo it.
2- Talk, talk, and talk to your kid. It should not be a parental talk about doing this, that or not doing certain things. Talks should involve certain things, maybe how was your day if meeting after the whole day, or just inquire if anything interesting happened throughout the day. If staying with him then you can discuss topics regarding nature if going out. Or if he is watching TV then ask his opinion about the show. Just give a thought, many ideas will come into your mind.
3- Colour, colour, and colour-
Colouring world is a beautiful world for kids. Their imagination boundaries are not restricted as their hands move freely. There is no end to their imagination and at times you can get the very interesting sketch up from your kids. If you also join them then painting can be really fun.
4-Music and dance–
Listening to music is a good relaxing exercise for kids. And with dance physical activity also happens. Just expose your kids to various types of music, be it guitar, piano, tabla, sitar and just observe which one is his favourite. Never pressurize him to learn music without his interest.
Singing and dancing together with kids can a fun activity and can be a bonding time for the whole family.
I want to request my friends that if they come across other ideas to increase creativity in kids please share on this platform.
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!