"Good" is the new "Pretty"!

"I like this pretty boy!" declared my not-yet-3-year-old daughter, while having her dinner. 
"What?" I asked bewildered. This is a conversation I was expecting in another 15 years or more or may be never. 
"Which pretty boy?" I asked.
She smiled sheepishly and pointed her dad and replied "This pretty boy, this Daddy". 

If she wears a frock, she calls it a pretty dress. Put on a headband or a flower clip, she starts dancing "That's Pretty!". So, I knew "Pretty" is something that she associates with something she likes. But "Pretty Boy" - that is a first. So, I asked her "Who else is Pretty?" She thought for a moment and said "Alan". She goes to a Montessori and her school is her little world. There are around 30 kids and 4 teachers in her class. She talks about her school, class, teachers and the other kids all the time. "Alan" is a boy in her class. I just rubbed off the grin from my stupid face and asked again "Who else?". She replied "Ben", another boy. "Hmph! Still not my name!' I wondered. Let's give it another shot. "Which girl is Pretty"?Well, that's my desperate attempt to move the pointer in my direction. She answered smiling without giving it a second thought "OLI". 'Oli' is her nickname, if you have not guessed it yet. She might have noticed the disappointment on my face. She added quickly "Miss Tim" and "Miss Sarah", two of her teachers, whom she adores. 

I just lost any hope of getting a place in her "Pretty" list. But what struck me was that she did not mention her other two favorite teachers. So, I pushed "What about Miss Susan"? She just looked at me, surprised at her mom's ignorance and replied sincerely "Miss Susan is Good, No Pretty!" I was stupefied. So, my 2-n-something old daughter defines "Pretty" as something or someone whom she finds attractive! She believes, a person with a beautiful face is "Pretty" and a person with a beautiful heart is "Good"! I wondered "Where do I stand in her world"? Is it too early to tell her that "Beauty isn't about having a pretty face; It's about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a pretty soul"? Well, I am sure, she will figure that out on her own. For now, I need to concentrate on  "What I want to be - her pretty mom or a good mom?" The answer is simple. I want to see myself at the intersection of "Pretty" and "Good" and to be the "Pretty Good" Momma."How to get there?" - well, that is a riddle  I need to solve. Till then, here is a glimpse of my "pretty" girl and her "pretty" boy and me (not-so-pretty) behind the lens!

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2017 Summer Activities For Kids in Bay Area- Part III

Winter was always my favorite, until we stepped into the United States. I have spent my entire life in India where we savored those 3 months of relief from the scorching heat. We used to put our pillows and blankets out in the sun, to make it warm. Even, finishing up our homework sitting outdoors was so much fun.  Winter was the time to celebrate, go picnic, plant seasonal flowers, peel oranges while enjoying the Sun. I grew up at a place and time where oranges were available only in winter. We used to wait for the first arrival of oranges in the market. It was exciting! However, things have changed lately.
On moving to California, it turned out that Summer is the new Winter here. There are so many colors around. Summer is the time to create some beautiful memories and stay salty. We greeted this Summer with all our zestfulness and enjoyed it all. Scan through the other  Summer Activities we relished this season. We literally became SEAholic and explored some not-so-popular Beaches along with the touristy ones.

Strawberry Picking:
We went for breakfast on a Saturday Morning and after we finished eating, my husband asked: "What Next"? My response was: "Keep driving towards any sea beach until I find something". I always stock up a few diapers, wipes, a set of clothing, snacks, sunscreen for my daughter whenever I leave home. So,  as soon as we started moving, I started googling. A beach or a Ranch or some trail?  I came across a Strawberry Festival at Watsonville. It was something new and we thought of checking it out. We almost reached Gilroy and my search was still on. I was not able to digest that we were driving that far just to buy some strawberries. So, we just took an exit near Gilroy and was welcomed by this vast expanse of beautiful bright yellow sunflowers.

Our eyes were dazzled.It was worth taking a few lovely shots. My daughter was asleep by then and missed the breathtaking view.
I googled for some near by places and what caught my attention was Gizdich-Ranch. 
Pick your own Strawberries or buy it from some stand?Well obviously, the first option appealed more. As we followed the map and reached near by, there were signs everywhere. We followed the signs and headed to some picturesque apple orchards and finally reached there. Parking was small and free. But we did not see any strawberry there. As soon as we came out of the car, a sweet fragrance greeted us. It was PIE!!! We enquired about the strawberry picking which was a few miles on the other side. But how could we leave before taking a bite of pie?
So, we had some hot pie with cold ice cream at the picnic area, which was delicious, took a few funny pictures, stroll through the apple orchards, used the restrooms and left for strawberry picking.
Their Strawberry field is just a few miles away and there were plenty of parking areas. At the entrance, they lend us buckets for the strawberry. My almost-3-year-old daughter was ecstatic.

She was carrying her own bucket and was running around all busy and bossy. My mom was all occupied to decide on the reddest, juiciest and yet freshest one. At the entrance, they cautioned about bees and thus I was actively monitoring for bees where my daughter was picking, though I did not see many. It was sunny. Sunscreen, hats, shades were a must. I had to drag my mom from stop picking more strawberries because I was not sure how to preserve them. At the check out counter, they weighed what we picked and it was $1.99/LB if I remember correctly. We washed a few of them and tasted and it was super juicy and sweet. We drove through the road with some scenic farms on both sides and reached a nearby beach. It was a fun filled family day and we will definitely plan for a similar one, even next year.

Point Reyes Lighthouse:
We bid Goodbye to my parents at the San Francisco Airport this weekend. The Flight was at 11:30 on Sunday morning. Since my mom and dad are super punctual, they went for the security check around 9:30 A.M.We were sad and not ready to go back to the voidness of the empty house.So, my husband suggested Point Reyes. We thought that were already midway and it was not that late. But when we turned on the Google Map, it was showing a 2-hour drive from the airport.   Point Reyes is located in Marin County, California, a popular tourist destination on the Pacific coast.  It is a bit far from our house at Sunnyvale. Still, we decided to give it a try. 
We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and it was foggy on the other side. The drive was comfortable and the roads were scenic with hills and greeneries on both sides. My daughter was taking her nap and we could not stop in between. We needed some fuel. We took a stop somewhere near Inverness. the place is marked as "Point Reyes Shipwrecks" in the map. There were a few cafe and a beautiful spot with some picnic tables along the Tomales Bay. We packed some sandwiches and beverages from "Inverness Park Market", a local shop for groceries and a quick bite. The place looks just like a picture from a picture book. We finished our meal and took a stroll by the Bay, saw a few people kayaking and then started for the Lighthouse. 

Lighthouse was again a few miles from there. The intermediate road was full of adventure. We saw Cows and Horses, wide green pastures and hills. We passed the "Cypress Tree Tunnel" and there were a few exits for beaches which we avoided with a heavy heart since we did not want to miss the Lighthouse. On reaching the lighthouse, we got a parking by a miracle. It was full and one car was leaving and we just grabbed the opportunity. Otherwise, there were a lot of cars on the side of the road on the way to the parking.  The place was chilly and super windy. Thankfully, I had a sweater for my daughter in the car. I wished if I had one for myself. It was foggy and with very less visibility.  The view was breathtaking. The lighthouse is a brief walk from parking. My daughter was a little cranky with the sudden change of environment, the chillness in the wind, and also her grand parents leaving. She was not willing to walk. We were hesitant, tired and a bit uncomfortable at first because of the wind. But decided on giving it a try. After walking a few steps, we got comfortable. Daddy carried her till the Lighthouse staircase. It was difficult to carry her further all those 300 steps up and down. I had to give it a pass. I waited with my girl while my husband walked down those stairs. He came back panting after a few minutes and we headed towards our car. 
The place is far far away from our place but the view is spectacular. The way to home was long and wearying. We just tick off one more place and now while writing when I look back, I think I may go back again some day. 

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How My Ad-Sense Got Approved For My Personal Blog in 2017

I always wanted to write. But, the only problem was I didn't know what to write about. I am not an expert on anything and who would care about my opinion.However, I started a blog in 2015 and wrote 4 posts. Yes, that's right. For the whole year, I just wrote 4 posts and it got buried somewhere. 

In 2016, I got a triumph over my fear of driving. I got my Driving License. Well yes, that was my heroic tale. I was excited and thought of sharing it with everyone. I started another blog to communalize my experience. After that, nothing significant happened in 2016 and hence I did not get much to talk about.
This year(2017), before a tech interview, I was looking for my notes, that I made last time. But soon I discovered that notebook has turned into my daughter's scribbling pad. I thought of starting a Tech Blog where I will keep my notes ready. I opened Blogger to create a new blog and then I found out all my old blogs. I was stunned to see that my driving test blog has so many views! It was an amazing feeling! There are people who are reading my blogs, whom I don't know and who don't know me! There is no judgment and obligation and that's a relief. It occurred to me, that I don't have to be an expert to write. I have my share of stories to tell, my memories to look back.I can voice my opinion and my experiences. I started "My Little Bag Of Experience". So at that point of time, I had 4 separate blogs with 3-4 posts in each and with no or very fewer views for each post. 
I saw the earnings on the blogger left side bar and it was lucrative. Without any prior knowledge, I clicked on the link and applied for Google Ad-Sense for a blog with 2 posts. The status went straight into 'pending approval'. That Blog was a year old and thus I was allowed to apply. I started imagining myself earning a side income, once it is approved in two days. I was ignorant(Read it Stupid) of any policies or eligibility criteria for Google Ad-Sense approval. I did not know how the Ad-Sense works. 
In two days, I got an email which says:
"Thank you for your interest in Google AdSense. Unfortunately, after reviewing your application, we're unable to accept you into AdSense at this time. We did not approve your application for the reasons listed below. 
Insufficient content: To be approved for AdSense and show relevant ads on your site, your pages need to have enough text on them for our specialists to review and for our crawler to be able to determine what your pages are about.... "
My first reaction was "Okay, I need a few more posts!" So, I thought of merging all my blogs into one and I did that labeling each post for different categories.I decided, once I have 50 posts, I would re-apply. I googled "how to get Adsense approved". Well, the search results quashed my hope. I realized, it is impossible to get it approved for my journal. I did a few small changes in the look-n-feel of my personal blog and continued writing. On reaching 50 posts, I reapplied. This time, I was not hopeful. In 2 days, I got the reply.

Now, am I an expert on Ad-Sense after my single account got approved? NO, Off course not! I am here to share what I learned and to answer the questions that I asked. If you are thinking of starting a new blog and looking for answers to your naive queries, you are at the right place. 

Does Google Ad-Sense gets approved for a Personal Blog?

Yes, it may get approved, even for a personal blog.

Do I need to buy a custom Domain?

Not necessarily. Your blogger account can also get approved.

Is there any specific number of Posts required to get an approval?

I did not get that number in any policies or terms and conditions. But, in my case, it got rejected in 2 posts and approved in 50 posts. May be somewhere around 25 posts, it could have got approval. I should have tried.

Does Blog Traffic play an important role in getting Adsense Approved?

I don't think so. I am not yet aware of the tricks to increase blog traffic. I am still working on that. My blog traffic is minimal.

Is Google Adsense worth a try?

Being realistic, I no more consider Adsense as my alternate income. Adsense pays you if someone is clicking an Ad on your page. Well, nowadays, many people are using the browser options to stop appearing ads on their page. Even if Ads are there, who are going to click on those? Even I hardly do it!And then comes the CPC(Cost Per Click). It depends on the Advertisers who are bidding on keywords. What are the conditions and factors?Well, that's another story, I yet to learn.

To me, Google Ad Sense is an approval. I am here to write what I feel. I am learning daily and I am trying to share what I know. Adsense Guidelines is here if you are looking for help.

      "Start Writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on"

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2017 Summer Activities For Kids in Bay Area - Part II

Say Cheers To Sun, Sand, Sea, and Shells!

This Summer we bought a tent, some beach chairs, a beach mat and loads of sunscreen. Every weekend, we explored some new places with my kid and my mom n dad. Sea and Beaches were our most-loved pick.We just left home and then decided where to head to. If I ask my toddler what she wants to do on a weekend, she replies immediately 'SEAAAAAA'! However, we enjoyed a few other places and experiences this summer and you can check in detail here.
We stay at Sunnyvale and visited lots of beaches near by. Santa Cruz, Monterey, Half Moon Bay are gorgeous but crowded and not for every weekend. We were looking for secluded family beaches where we could walk bare foot, soak in cool water and build a sand castle with my daughter. My view is entirely based on the experience we had on that day. Climatic conditions, my daughter's crankiness, traffic together contributed to this decision. Here I am choosing not-so-popular beaches and a few of my personal favorites.
Sunset State Beach, Watsonville: 
We went to this beach after some strawberry picking and just for a few hours. There is a camping site which we didn't explore. There is a paid parking and it was full. As soon as our car reached the gate, another car left, leaving us a golden spot.
The Beach is a wide expanse of soft sand. The water was not so cold. It was not crowded and we got sand dollars. I did not even know about it and was so surprised after collecting a few of them. Lots of birds and it was pretty amazing for a stroll. We could not stay for the Sunset. But we came back satisfied and peaceful.

Pomponio State Beach:

It is located 12 miles south of Half Moon Bay. This Beach is clean, spectacular and a little underrated. There is a perfect mix of tall cliffs and beautiful waves. The parking space was small and paid.We went there in the afternoon on a weekend and there was a lot of space. It was breezy and chilly, at first. But then we got used to it. This place is to sit back and relax and sink in the views and listening to the ripples sound and we just loved it.


San Carlos Beach: 
Small Protected and not so clean. Still, we loved it! Metered parking was available. There was a large green lawn where you can sit and enjoy the view from a distance. But we love water, we love sand. The water was not so cold and no big waves. There was a lot of kelp which makes the water look green. My daughter just enjoyed running up and down to the water. This place is perfect for marine adventurers. Though none of us are divers, we had seen a lot of scuba divers with their diving gears and equipment plunging into the sea. This Beach is located very close to the city and many food places.

Why do I love the Sea? I think, It is because, SEA has something to offer for everyone. It can bring out the child in you. Blue Sky, Blue Sea, the Breeze, the Waves, the Sand in toes- it's a whole package! I love to hear my daughter giggling when the waves touch her toes. I love that she loves the SEA.

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Lemon-Honey Water - A Magic Potion

"When life gives you a lemon, make a lemonade".

I say, instead of lemonade, make some warm lemon water and gulp it down with some honey. Hey, it's tasty and it has got so many health benefits!

When I was a kid, my mom used to hand me a glass of warm lemon honey water, after I woke up in the morning. That time, I was very prone to catch a cold and it is loaded with Vitamin C.Also, I was not allowed to have Tea/Coffee. So, lemon-honey water was really a great substitute.

The main three ingredients of lemon-honey- water is Lemon, Honey, and some warm Water. Each of the components proves to be super-food for your body. But what the combo does is magical. The medical terms do not make much sense to me. So, I interpreted the benefits, my way.

Boost Immunity and Make Mamma Happy :

I used to drink lemon water during my childhood since my mom wanted to boost my immunity. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. Honey reduces a cough and throat irritation. As per research, “Lemons are very high in bioflavonoids that destroy harmful free radicals that damage blood vessels and cause inflammation.” Well, that's some heavy stuff! But, I liked the taste and my mom was happy to offer something healthy. So it was a win-win for both of us. And now, when my Toddler coughs, a honey stick or a honey pop or just a spoon of honey soothes her throat and gives her some relief at night.

Lose Fat and Lose Your Age:

I think a lean person looks much younger than an overweight person of same age. What do you think? There were plenty of reasons for me to lose those extra pounds. To look fit and young is definitely the primary one. You can check my stories of losing those extra pounds. I included Lemon-Honey water in my diet. It is believed that if you drink some warm water in the morning, it will kick your metabolic rate that means the rate at which your body is burning calories. 'Burning Calories' always rings a bell and if it happens by sipping something tasty, I am IN. Lemons even help to decrease cholesterol and triglycerides.

Radiant Skin and Glowing You:

It is believed that lemon helps in producing Collagen and Collagen is responsible for a glowing healthy skin. Honey is a natural moisturizer. So, the lemon-honey duo is pretty amazing for skin.

Assist Digestion and Energized You:

Warm water, in the early morning, is beneficial to flush out the toxins from your body. Lemon adds a refreshing flavor and tangy taste. Honey makes it yummy,  adding some more benefits. The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins, in the digestive tract. Overall, the digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating.

It is believed that there are many other rewarding benefits that a glass of warm lemon honey water can do! It cleanses your liver, balances pH, reduces stress and so on. But, I just love the refreshing smell of lemon. It can be your first step to a healthy lifestyle. It tastes good. It smells good and it does good to your body. After extracting the juice from the lemon, I just scrub the lemon zest and the skin for a clear skin.

So, A lemon a day keeps all the toxins away!

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2017 Summer Activities For Kids in Bay Area - Part I

This Summer, we made some of our best memories. My parents were here. My two and a half-year-old daughter spent a lot of quality time with her grand parents, both indoors and outdoors. For her, Monday-Friday is school days and Saturday-Sunday is Ta Ta-Bye-Bye Days.  Yes, every Saturday and Sunday we are out, exploring the trails, beaches, hills or some architecture.
Here, I am quickly highlighting the places and experiences that we loved and felt worth sharing.

Cherry Picking AT Brentwood:
Who doesn't love a red sweet juicy cherry?
And what makes it alluring is the idea-'Pick on your own'.

There are a couple of orchards at Brentwood which is open during the season for Cherry Picking. We picked Bloomfield Cherries. They are closed for 2017 and will re-open in 2018.  Before planning a trip, check out their Facebook Page here or their website.
We went on a Saturday. It was crowded. Parking was a bit problem. But there was some friendly staff who were managing the Traffic.
We were given a few buckets to fill, at the entrance. It was really helpful since my daughter didn't want to share her bucket with anyone.
The orchard was huge! There was Excitement all around. We could hear some giggles and shrieks of the little explorers. There were an abundance of cherries and at lower heights. There were ladders to reach the top one. We tasted a few cherries and soon mastered the art of picking the most delicious one.
My child and my mom were equally thrilled. I was busy running after my little one who was galloping from trees to trees. In between, I caught a sight of my mom jumping and trying to climb a tree to reach the top one. So, overall, it was fun and exhausting. So, we sat in the shades for some time.
Together we picked around 6 pounds of cherries and headed towards the checkout counter. The price was 3.50/lb which could have been a little less. But considering that we had already eaten a lot of cherries at the farm while picking, it was a good deal! We went home tired, but happy. It was a crazy, but 'Cherry-On-Top' kind of day and will surely go back next season.

My Tip: 

• Sunscreen is a Must
• Lots of Water
• Some snacks, if you are visiting with kids 
• You may carry a Mat/Blanket if you want to rest in the shades

Japanese Tea Garden:

If you are a true admirer of 'Green', this is the right place for you! It is amazing to find out so many shades of greens together. Japanese Tea Garden is located in San Francisco Golden Gate Park. Plants, pond, fishes, cute bridge, Japanese architecture, hot steaming tea - this place has it all.
We visited this place on a Saturday. We reached past 12 noon. Traffic was bad and we had to spend some time to locate a parking spot. This place is a gem for those interested in nature photography. Even, a mobile phone click would be gorgeous. We walked around for some time, watched the fishes swimming in the pond, took a few clicks and we were contented. The garden has an entry fee which is a little expensive, considering the size of the garden. Beautifully landscaped, calm n peaceful, well maintained, this horticulture gem is surely worth a visit.  You can check out the details here if you are planning a visit.

My Tip:

• Reach a bit early to avoid the traffic and parking issues
• There is a cafe for Tea and Coffee inside the Japanese Tea Garen and a few Food Trucks were around in the Golden Gate Park
• Entrance fee is worth investing if you are planning to spend some time inside.

Golden Gate Park:
We didn't want to spoil the serenity of the Japanese Tea Garden for long, by our excited and enthusiastic toddler.That's why we headed to explore the other areas of the Golden Gate Park. It is HUGE and we were able to cover only a fraction of it. But what we liked most is the Rose Garden, a beautiful collection of all possible shades of roses.
It is located on the back side of De Young Museum and the best part is it's Free. We took some snaps and then we just sat there intoxicated by their fragrance. Most of the flowers have a plaque indicating the scientific name and type. This place is magical. 
We had some ice cream and warm Churros. There is a play area with some slides and a few structures, near by, where my daughter had her share of fun. There is a trail surrounded by trees and we played some hide-n-seek. We spent around 5-6 hours. At the end of that sunny day, we were tired and my daughter was sleepy. We carried a picnic basket and didn't try the food there. But there were a couple of options near the museum. This place has a lot more to offer. Plan ahead since it is very difficult to cover all the attractions on a single trip. Check the details here.

My Tip:

• We didn't see any Diaper changing  station in the restroom, which was a little inconvenient
• This park is absolutely Stroller-Friendly. 
• We didn't see any water fountains. So, it is advisable to carry your own water.

                                                                                                         Continued to Sea and Sand

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Play a Game and Teach Colors to Kids

Me: 'Color Color'
My Daughter: 'What Color?'
Me: 'I want Pink!'
A pink cereal goes into her mouth. 

We started playing this color game when my daughter was a year old. I didn't know how to teach her colors. But soon it became a hit. We played it anytime, anywhere. Now, she is a PRO. It is difficult to catch a child's attention and then to hold it for some time is an another challenge. So, how to teach an infant something new? Play a GAME! Play it often!

Initially, she didn't pay much attention. But, after repeating the same game with different props, she started participating. She got the understanding that those are called colors and each one of them has got a name. However, it took a few more months to match the right color with the right name!
We played the 'Color Color' game every time we were surrounded by colors -  While picking her dress or the spoon or while playing in a garden with different color flowers or during driving when I ask for some color and she looks outside and keeps searching for it unless she finds it. It is FUN!

I heard many parents using a flash card to teach colors. It didn't help me at that age. But later, when she was a little older and knew all the colors, we played flashcards. We played color sorting game with multi color straws. I just gave her a colorful pack of straws and asked her help to sort it out in bundles of the same color. She tried, she failed, she did it. Best part, it kept her occupied for some time.

Now, my girl is 2 years and 10 months and will be celebrating her 3rd Birthday in two months.  She has already asked for a pink cake, purple balloons, and a red dress. A few days back, we were shopping for a swim suit for her. My husband picked one and asked  her  "You like this blue one?" She stood there with her hands on her waist and said: " No daddy, that's not blue, that is TURQUOISE". My husband was speechless, amazed and proud. And I just smiled.

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My 5-Steps Program To Reduce Those Extra Pounds

I remember I had a weighing scale. I searched for it everywhere and finally got it hidden behind some boxes in the closet. I put it on the bathroom floor and stepped on it. It showed 149.6 pounds. I  got my phone and quickly converted it to kilograms and then I just screamed. I was devastated. It was a month of January, just after the holiday season. I am only 5 feet in height and I calculated my BMI which was way high than expected. In short, I was OVERWEIGHT! Check yours here.

I was not sure where to start from. To clear my head, I just went out for a walk. I don't enjoy working out in a gym. I can't diet. So, what options do I have? The only thing I like is to walk in the open air and I decided that is what I will start with. Today, after 7 months, I am 130.8 pounds, still overweight as per the calculation. But, I know, I can bring it down within a few more months because I have learned the key to weight loss.
If you are in a similar situation and looking for some possible solutions, you are at the right place. Here are my ways of losing those extra pounds:

1. Have some devastating and heart breaking experience: 
It is YOU who have to be willing to take a step forward to weight loss. If you want to do it, you can do it.  For that, you need some humiliating experiences which will inspire you to take the step. If you are happy with yourself and want to do it since your doctor asked, you are not ready yet. So, the first step to weight loss is 'Be Ready'.  Check mine in the below-related posts:
1. Overweight - Who me?
2. When are you due?

2. Get a Weighing Scale:
Weigh yourself and set a possible target. Yes, that's what I did! I decided to lose 10 pounds. So, set a target and start working on it.

3. Cut on SUGAR: 
For me, the most challenging part was to cut on sugar.However, it was the most rewarding one too! I love desserts. I love anything which is sweet. It was really difficult to watch those box of muffin and ignore it. But I did! I limited my sugar intake to 2 teaspoons daily with coffee. Within 3 days, my scale was showing 2 pounds less! It was an exhilarating feeling. Those 3 days, my husband and my daughter had to bear with my terrible mood. But, when I saw my sacrifice really got paid, it raised my hope and determination. But, I didn't see any visible change in myself. And after the initial 3 pounds, my weight got stuck there and  I had to take the next step.

4. Get a Fitness Tracker:
I have a whatsup group of my college friends. A friend brought up if anyone using a Fitbit. I googled to check what it is. When I replied that I had to google it, everyone laughed and thought it was my excellent sense of humor. I didn't bother to rectify them that it was my terrible sense of ignorance. But when I googled it, I liked it. I bought 2 of them on Valentine's Day. One for my husband and one for myself. Since then, I only take it off for charging. I just love it! I am not a person who can spend hours in a gym. But I can walk and I love it. I like to walk on roads, at the park, on the hiking trails, in open air. Oxygen makes me alive and fresh. I think everyone has their own share of likes and dislikes. Find out yours and stick to it! So walking daily and the cut on sugar helped me to reduce a few more pounds. I started fitting into my old clothes and that is pure happiness. But then the weight loss process was slow. So, what next?

5. Reduce Solids and Increase Liquid Intake:
I decided to try on some healthy eating habits. I tried not to make it a punishing experience, but a rewarding one. I started having a glass of warm lemon-honey water in the morning. I take my breakfast, usually 2 slices of wheat bread and egg and coffee.  I started drinking lots of water and even milk when I feel hungry, in-between meals. Initially, I didn't curb any meals. But, I took charge of the in-between-meals snacking. I replaced my sugar cookies with fruits and milk. It worked magic.

These 5 steps may not turn you into a slim trim model, but you will surely see a different YOU. This is just the beginning. Still, I surrender to the cravings for those Oreos, muffins, chocolate and ice cream, but not daily. I have reduced almost 20 pounds in these 7-8 months, yet there is a long way to go.  I will share anything interesting that works for me. It may work for you too!
Let's join hands to "wake up with determination and go to bed with satisfaction."

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My Reason To Lose Those Extra Pounds - "Overweight - Who Me?"

A free health check-up camp was organized at my work.
Stand in a queue; 
Get a blood test done; 
Get your blood pressure checked; 
Get a Report Card; 
Get it analyzed.
Sounds simple, right? Also, it was free! So, I went there and waited for my turn. 

My blood pressure looked great! Then, the smiling lady who was taking the test, pricked my finger with my permission. Took the blood on a slide and put it in that device for test results. She frowned, looked back at me and smiled nervously. She pressed a few buttons. Uh ho, my heart sank. That Bad huh? The lady told apologetically that there was some error in reading and the results were void. She had to prick me again. Not a good sign, however, I agreed. She took the test again and the results came. She took my weight and filled the report card with all the details and I was sent to the next queue to check the results.

You don't have to be a specialist to comprehend that test results. It was just an expected range and where you stand. What caught my attention first was it was ticked at "overweight". What? That's rude!

My turn came. The lady took the report from me and without even looking at it, blurted out ''It seems like You don't exercise?, So, First of all, You need to add some exercise to your daily schedule." A forced smile pursed my lip and I nodded. I was thinking that marking the "Overweight" check box was rude! She continued talking about the changes required in my lifestyle. But all I did was sitting there all hurt and angry. The only question that keeps on poking my mind  - ' Overweight Me! How did that happen?'

Series of images flashed in front of my eyes. That mandatory dessert that I eat daily after each meal; the butter loaded leftovers that I eat after my daughter's meal; the chocolate bars that I finish in excuse to cure my mood; the sodas that I drank instead of water ;I realized EVERYTHING I did was wrong and it is only me who did that to myself! It was an awakening moment for me and another reason to stop and think what I have done!

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My Reason To Lose Those Extra Pounds - When are you due?

"When are you due?"
"Excuse Me?"
"You are pregnant, right?"
"Ummm No, I have a 2-year-old girl and not planning anything right now."
Some embarrassing smiles and the conversation ended right there.


That was a scene from my life, a few months back. I was new at my work. I was in the cafeteria billing queue, holding a  plate full of spaghetti and fried chicken and fruits. Another girl, who was on the same project, was standing right before me with a salad bowl. After the conversation, which ended abruptly, she paid for her salad as fast as she could and ran away from there. I was left alone with a heavy-heart wondering what just happened!

I came back to my desk and googled 'how to react if someone has mistaken by your belly size, that you are pregnant?' I got lots of results. That was a little comforting to know that I am not alone. I read that we should love our body the way it looks. My body did an incredible job when I gave birth to my baby. I should pat myself for that and believe in myself. After reading a few article, I was again feeling all better and proud. I finished my meal with a smile and was happy that I ordered those crispy chicken.  

Now, a little bit about myself.  I am Indian, Bengali, a Foodie and a Mom. Well, that defines who I am! Being an Indian, I love rice, spices, ghee. Being a Bengali, I love potatoes and lots and lots of sweets. Being a Foodie, I love to add something special to each of my meals. Before each meal, I get a vision what exactly I want to eat. Is that what you called a craving? Then yes, I am a Born Pregnant. Yummy food can make me happy and a salad bowl can turn me all Grumpy. And now comes the best part. Being a Mom, I eat all my kid's leftovers. I don't eat on time and eat whenever I have time. Before my daughter was born, I was told to eat for two. After my daughter was born, I was told to eat more to heal up fast and produce lots and lots of breast milk. Well, I did, I listened to everybody!

The outcome is here,  after 2 years, I couldn't stop eating. I ended up in a queue of voracious eaters and 6-months-pregnant-belly. So, that's me! Did something similar happen to you? Congratulations! You have already moved a step ahead on the way to losing those extra pounds.

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