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Handy gadgets to clean up your kitchen

Leave no stone, or drawer in this case, unturned. Organize your food staples too! Apart from waste minimization, your staples can be maintained in a unit that sustains their shelf life…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.

One of the many feats of the home becoming everyone’s epicentre is that the kitchen has more people in it than usual. Ultimately, the onus is on you to become a Masterchef and whip out dishes, do the cleaning, etc. Whether it is for the kids who are foraging for a tasty snack or your partner asking for a steaming hot cup of chai at any given point of the day!

In addition one has to ensure that everything is in order and in its place. It is essential for you to be able to make the most of your kitchen space since during the past year in lockdown, the kitchen has become multifunctional.

Starting off might seem like a Herculean task, but the trick is to make an inventory based on different sections of the kitchen and place yourself where it all begins — the counter. Bear in mind the following questions while sorting all stations of the kitchen: Do you really need it? Do you really use it? How often do you use it? Do you still want it? Can you give it to someone else? The idea is to not hoard and maximize space while keeping only what is needed. Fanny Jeanne Jozef Leyten — Interior Design Manager, IKEA India, presents a few handy gadgets to help you get on your way:

Countertops: You can start by emptying all visible things from your counter as it will most likely have too many things on it, which can lead to reduced space and also makes it difficult to clear things up. Search for what you really need on the countertop and keep everything else stacked using the RINNIG utensil rack. Remember to keep things minimal. If it isn’t frequently used, keep it stored away.

* Rails: It’s not only about what’s inside the kitchen cabinets but also what you display from the exterior. Open storage solutions such as KUNGSFORS help store and organize your utensils and crockery after cleaning.

Cabinets: With this tip, you won’t have to fret anymore over what might fall out and induce a mini heart attack. Time to get organized. When it comes to cabinets, you must make an inventory of what you want to keep up front and what can be hidden. Let’s say it’s kitchen utensils, frying pan, crockery. Where are they? Is it close to the sink? Because you would need it there. Maximize your space inside the cabinets by supplementing them with small trays like VAEIRA to utilize optimal space. That way you don’t need extra shelves inside the cabinet.

Drawers: Drawer dividers like MAXIMERA are your best friend to help in storing your utensils or spices in a better way. You can maximize on space and it helps you in time, unlike in a situation when you have an over-cluttered drawer. The same can be applied to your cutlery. Define and accentuate the space with bamboo/plastic dividers.

Food storage: Leave no stone, or drawer in this case, unturned. Organize your food staples too! Apart from waste minimization, your staples can be maintained in a unit that sustains their shelf life. This also ensures that you don’t overspend on food that would otherwise expire sooner rather than later. See-through the IKEA 365+ sustainable range for storage solutions for food and staples. These will help you immediately gauge what is what and wherein the cabinet.

Tables & trolleys: The dining table has evolved into a multifunctional space. Munching down on a meal is no longer its sole application because, in the past year in lockdown, people have taken to using it for office work or keeping a close eye on children doing their homework while they are preparing for lunch/dinner. Now in order to achieve an easy declutter, it would be wise to have an RASKOG trolley next to the dining table for easy cleaning up. So once you are done with the task at hand, you can maintain the space for its next intent.

Stools: Step stools are a great aid for when you need to reach high cabinets, and stackable ones help to minimize the space in the area, so it’s always good to have a GRUBBAN in a corner for ad hoc usage.

Trash cans: With all the litter that gets collected in a day in the kitchen, the disposal happens only the next day. To avoid a striking stench in your kitchen, consider VARIERA waste bin which is perforated to allow ventilation of the bin and reduce the stench.

With all these hacks at different kitchen stations, you must remember that the key to declutter is to be smart about the size of the kitchen you’re working with and focus on maximizing space. Decluttering your home is decluttering your mind.

ALSO READ-How to de-clutter your kitchen?

READ MORE-Zenfone 3: Light Smartphone Having Huge Battery Life

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Is your kid a morning bird? No worries

Having a sound sleep at night can help children lead healthy lives. Thus, from babies to school-aged kids and teenagers, parents might be keen to know many hours of sleep is essential for their child…writes Mubashshir Muzammil Khan.

Do your children wake up late every day? Then, you should be happy as it is a good sign that your child is sleeping well. But you have to worry when the child fails to wake up even after several alarms and you literally have to drag your child out of the bed. There are many children who fail to get sound sleep at night and feel lethargic and are unable to focus on studies during day time.

Is your child cranky? Is your kid unable to concentrate on studies or do their daily chores with ease? Then, he/she must encounter sleep problems. Yes, you have heard right! Many children become night owls, and that takes a toll on their overall well-being. Sleep is vital for young children. Early in life, one experiences tremendous development that impacts the brain, body, emotions, and behaviour and sets the stage for their growth through childhood and adolescence.

Having a sound sleep at night can help children lead healthy lives. Thus, from babies to school-aged kids and teenagers, parents might be keen to know many hours of sleep is essential for their child.

New-borns’ need to get around 14 hours of sleep, infants need around 15 hours of sleep, toddlers need approximately 14 hours of sleep, pre-school children need around 10-13 hours of sleep while school-going children of 6-13 age need around 9 hours of sleep. Here are a few fool proof tricks to help your child get sound sleep at night:

* Allow your child to get at least 10 to 11 hours of sleep every day without fail. If your child has a habit of sleeping late then make bedtime earlier half-an-hour as doing so will help your child wake up on time, and he/she will not have to miss online classes.

* Try to maintain the same schedule and your child will be able to sleep peacefully and complete his/her sleep properly. Create a consistent bedtime routine to calm down the child and make him/her sleep on an immediate basis.

* You will have to limit your child’s exposure to electronic gadgets at least 1 hour before sleeping. Do not allow your child to play games on the mobile or watch television before hitting the sack as doing so can snatch away the child’s sleep.

* Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, particularly in the second half of the day as it hampers good sleep. Don’t let your child drink a lot of water before sleeping as he/she will have to make continuous trips to the loo and the sleep will be disturbed.

* Maintain good lighting and temperature in the kid’s room. Don’t fill up the child’s bed with toys and heavy blankets that will suffocate the child and make him/her uncomfortable. Use a good pillow and mattress that will support your child’s back and neck. Improper mattress and pillow can lead to back and neck pain.

If your child has any sleep problems such as loud or heavy breathing, snoring, and even waking up after regular intervals then you need to consult the doctor. Make sure your child gets enough sleep on a regular basis so that he/she can stay healthy and hearty.

ALSO READ-Health consequences of sleep loss

READ MORE-Are you sleeping on time?

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Can you keep your kids away from smoking?

Talk with them about the serious health issues that can come up with smoking, preferably using real life examples…writes Priyanka Thukral Mahajan

Smoking is a habit that is detrimental for people across all ages. For kids, it starts as fun, becomes a habit and later an addiction. There are various trigger points like peer pressure which relate smoking to maturity and independence or just the urge to try out new things in life.

To prevent your kids from getting into this lifetime addiction, here’s what can help:

Discussion is key: Discuss with your children about smoking in a friendly way. Ask them how much they know about smoking and make them aware that smoking is harmful to them. Some parents ignore talking about this topic due to their own inhibitions, but it is always advised to have a healthy discussion to know their viewpoint on smoking.

Importance of saying No: When children are entering their teens, peer pressure is the maximum and most of them succumb to this. You must sit with them and encourage them to say no whenever they are asked for a smoke. In fact, as a parent you should practice with them saying “Sorry, I don’t smoke”.

Stress on the health issues: A lot of children think vaping (e-cigarettes) and other commonly used methods like candy cigarettes, water pipes (hookah) is safe. They should be made aware of the contrary. Talk with them about the serious health issues that can come up with smoking, preferably using real life examples. Make them understand the harmful effects of passive smoking as well, and they should avoid places where people are smoking.

Calculate the money: Do the math and make them calculate how much they spend on cigarettes and e-cigarettes, if taken daily. Then the number of cigarettes they will be smoking in a month and a year. Compare it to the things they can buy with that much amount of money like smartphones, dresses or anything else.

Understand the attraction: Some teens might smoke as a way to express rebellion. You must sit with them and explain them how advertising agencies make smoking look cool, glamorous, and sexy. Explain them that the perceptions created by them are false. And now even during the smoking related scenes on media, where they depict people smoking, it is always accompanied by a small caption on the screen “Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health”.

Set an example: If you are a smoking parent, it is advised that you stop smoking and set an example in front of them. It is advised to make them understand your challenges related to smoking. Do not keep any stuff related to smoking at home which is easily accessible to them. They might try it out of curiosity.

Even one cigarette harms: Make your children understand that even a single cigarette can make you get addicted to smoking. Hence, even trying for fun may lead to lifelong habit. Tell them that most of the adult smokers start as teens and quitting is a tough job.

If you as parents support your kids and discuss with them all the important issues related to smoking you can keep them away from smoking and give them a happy and healthy future.

ALSO READ-Passive smoking can raise kidney disease risk

READ MORE-Smoking may damage immunity of skin cancer patients

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Are you aware of these dangerous habits?

Sticking to your chair for the whole day when you go to the office is as dangerous as smoking…writes Siddhi Jain.

In our modern life, we have certainly habits that we think are alright to follow but in reality, could be slowly eroding away at our health and immune systems.

Neha Mittal, the co-founder of healthcare device company OneAbove, shares 5 habits as dangerous as smoking:

Compromising sleep: Have you noticed how cranky and irritated you become the next day if you do not sleep properly? It is one of the side effects of ignoring quality sleep. As per health professionals, we must take at least 6 hours of sleep each day to make sure our body is rejuvenating at its natural speed. Any compromise in the sleep hours affects your immune system, respiratory and digestive system negatively.

Eating high animal-protein meals: Excessive consumption of meals rich in animal proteins such as cheese and meat can promote cancer growth due to a hormone named IGF1. The risk factor for this is equivalent to smoking. To avoid overconsumption of such proteins, do include plant proteins, like beans, in your meals.

Long hours sitting: Sticking to your chair for the whole day when you go to the office is as dangerous as smoking. Studies have linked sitting for long hours, whether it is for work or driving, to various cancers like lung, breast, and colon. Be sure to move around a little every one or two hours and then continue your work.

Being lonely: While in normal life, we may not view being lonely as an important issue, it certainly is. Being lonely makes one more prone to heart diseases. Not just that, it invites additional diseases such as anxiety, emotional disturbances, and even harmful addictions. Try to make some good friends who listen to you even when you are low.

Tanning in a controlled environment: Many people have started tanning in a controlled environment rather than taking in sunlight. Sunlight can indeed cause skin cancer, but tanning indoors is harmful too. Stop going to the local tanning salon and start taking adequate sunlight.

ALSO READ-Covid Changed Health Habits

READ MORE-‘Fitness Habits: Breaking The Barriers To Fitness’

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‘Consistency’, the real mantra behind fitness

Do we stop eating? Do we stop sleeping? NO! We don’t because our body needs every day to function properly…Shwetambari speaks with Siddhi Jain.

Since pandemic has affected total lifestyle, people started to give more importance to workout and fitness. At-home fitness has become the new reality for millions across the globe, and according to fitness experts like Shwetambari Shetty, who is one of the fittest Indian women and a trainer, it is here to stay. The Cult. fit expert says she has witnessed people dropping weight, losing fat, gaining muscle, looking lean and strong, and becoming the best version of themselves using at-home workouts.
Excerpts:


As a coach, how do you think the pandemic has impacted India’s fitness levels?

To me it looks like India is finally ready to make exercise a necessity and a way of life. Until now it has been a luxury. People are understanding that regular exercise and movement helps one become fit and healthy. Maintaining good health, also means good immunity which makes one stronger overall to fight certain illnesses and conditions. So yes, people are now more aware of why everyday movement and fitness is key. It’s not ‘I have a special occasion and need to drop some pounds’ anymore. People are making exercise and fitness a part of their daily routine.

Online fitness sessions and classes have seen a boom. Do you find them as effective as sweating it out in a gym or a physical group class?

I have witnessed people dropping weight, losing fat, gaining muscle, looking lean and strong, and becoming the best version of themselves using at-home workouts. We would have never known this could be possible if it wasn’t for this pandemic. So while we love the adrenaline a group class brings in at the gym, the conclusion is home workouts can be just as effective as a gym workout.

Many beginners who would otherwise be intimidated to step inside a gym due to many reasons, including body shaming, have resorted to exercising at home as they feel that is a “no judgement zone”. They have lost weight, gained confidence, gained good health and high energy. There is no risk of injury if a beginner starts as a beginner, slowly and steadily, and follows all the trainers’ instructions and trains with a qualified fitness coach. To help all our beginners, we have ensured that we have multiple beginner-friendly workouts across all formats and age groups via the cult.live offering.

Personally, how have you been working out during the Covid era?

At home! I delivered a baby in July 2020, during the peak of the first Covid wave, and started working out a month after. I lost 10 plus kg that I gained from pregnancy by working out at home. Now I have started going to Cult.fit. I had my Dance. Fitness for cardio and then got myself dumbbells for my strength training and did yoga twice a week.

Where do most people go wrong when it comes to achieving any fitness goals, say fat loss or belly burn, or toning the body?

Consistency! People are not consistent and not regular with their workouts. As soon as a goal is achieved, people take a break. Do we stop eating? Do we stop sleeping? NO! We don’t because our body needs every day to function properly. In the exact same way, our body needs exercise and movement daily to function well and keep that unwanted fat at bay.

Your top three fitness tips would be…

One, breathe deeply and think positively. Your mind has a powerful impact on your body. Two, exercise regularly and Eat nutritiously. Consistency is the key here. Three, move often and sleep well. Stay active but ensure you rest well.

What is the one fitness trend that the industry could see in a big way in the coming time?

Exercising itself will be trending. People will choose a barbell over a bar. Given the importance of being and staying healthy for each of us being more pronounced than ever, the biggest trend that is coming is just the need to exercise and build it into your lifestyle. Apart from this, having a healthy mind along with a healthy body is also a key trend that has come up and will continue to gain momentum.

You are a trainer at Cult.Fit, and there’s massive uptake of your 4-week Belly Burn course. What do you think is the reason for this targeted preference?

Everyone I know wants a flat stomach, washboard abs, or six packs. While this is totally possible, it will take a great deal of effort and hard work. The Belly Burn program, thus, does not promote spot reduction because that is not possible. It aids in building a strong core and as we exercise for a strong core, a lot of that belly fat will go away. The program also promotes HIIT — these are workouts that alternate between high-and low-intensity. The powerful bursts of energy use more fat as fuel and the rest periods in between to help flush out waste products from muscles. In a program like this we have the perfect combination of burning full body fat and strengthening the core. And people who experienced it in its first run did just this. We had 30k plus people participating and engaging actively with us to get fitter using the workouts, meal plans, and group discussions. We think the success of a targeted preference like this lies in the fact that a lot of people have specific goals in mind — such as fat loss, improving strength, increasing flexibility etc — and they want an organized and guided approach to help them attain it.

For people taking this course, what is your advice?

A: My advice would be to stay consistent. Don’t give up in the middle if you want to fulfill your goal. If it gets tough, take a breath and come back. Take it at your own pace. You can also engage actively with other members that sign up to ensure you stay motivated.

ALSO READ-Shilpa signs in as fitness ambassador

READ MORE-‘Fitness Habits: Breaking The Barriers To Fitness’

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Find comfort in food choices

Not only are we continually seeking comfort in our food choices, but we are also becoming more conscious about overeating and actively opt for guilt-free snacks…writes Chef Kunal Kapur

Snacks and junk food are the unavoidable bad habits in the present times. Youngsters have a close relationship with these kinds of food that destructs our inner and outer body slowly. Lately, many of us have been bogged down and caught up with work and home responsibilities; when it comes to leisure time, our options are limited. Yet on any normal day, we look forward to our favourite cup of chai or coffee and a snack that instantly uplifts our moods. During the evening hours, we allow ourselves to indulge our cravings for flavourful and mouth-watering foods; but we also seek easy-to-prepare solutions to satisfy hunger pangs.

While we each may have our preferences, when choosing a snack, taste plays a vital role. We only wait for our short evening snack breaks, because that’s when we can treat ourselves to something yummy. Snacking is known to enhance our good feelings and cheer us up, even on dull and dragging days. While we can’t meet up with friends and colleagues to chat up over samosas and chaat, we can exploit the digital medium to share in these little joys over video calls and group sessions. In fact, ready-to-eat foods that are easily available can provide safe and exciting solutions to the dilemmas of ‘new normal’ lifestyles.

Capturing the growing inclination towards snacking, Euromonitor reports reveal that most of us are constantly seeking time-saving solutions and higher convenience across various aspects of life, including our food habits. In most households, food is prepared by the homemaker and by late afternoon, fatigue sets in; she prefers simplified alternatives to a traditional snack menu. These days, even those accustomed to a cook are managing without any additional help, and the need for easy-to-make snacks have been on the rise.

Not only are we continually seeking comfort in our food choices, but we are also becoming more conscious about overeating and actively opt for guilt-free snacks. When it comes to mindful eating, wholegrain oats are becoming increasingly popular for their high nutrition, protein and fibre content. Oats are satiating in small portions and these days, they come in various forms and flavours, such as Saffola Masala Oats that are infused with traditional spices to suit the Indian palette and desire for piping hot snacks.

Euromonitor reports also indicate that instances of snacking are the highest between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m; when we break from work or catch up with our social media feeds, music playlist and OTT shows that we are binge watching. We enjoy eating light, but also need to tease our taste buds and feel content; oats allows us to customize our bowls to suit our fancy. With regional twists like Masala & Coriander or Curry & Pepper,

Saffola Masala Oats can be whipped up to your liking using real vegetables, sauces, dry fruits and crispies.

In fact, it can also be shared virtually with colleagues — plan productive brainstorming sessions or team-building activities on Zoom or Google Meet. Most companies have been adopting innovative ideas to keep employees motivated when working from home. Snacking can supercharge creativity and calm the jitters; so why not schedule it on the work calendar. Saffola Masala Oats is available at local stores and online on platforms like Amazon.in and BigBasket; so your colleagues can easily select their favourites.

It can also be made more exciting with fresh ingredients like lemon and mint leaves or crunchy toppings like carrot sticks, capsicum slices and croutons. If you prefer going solo and have been spending your evenings reading or watching the sunset, make the most of your time at home with a lip-smacking bowl of joy. Feel good with tangy oats on toast, bite on lavash and coriander oats, sip a soupy bowl of vegetable oats and just go wild with your imagination when customizing your evening snacks!

ALSO READ-Some snacks for your Mom

READ MORE-Lip-smacking snacks to munch on

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‘Yoga Of Rehab: The Twelve Sutras For Transcending Addiction’

Yoga and meditation showed me the doorway to Self. Once in touch with Self, inner contentment results — there is no longer a need to intoxicate yourself with external substances… Anjali Talcherkar interacts with Siddhi Jain.

The level of yoga has grown very faster in the modern era of unhealthy lifestyle and habits. Is the power of yoga, meditation and conscious shift towards spirituality enough to pull someone back from the deepest pits of drug addiction and alcoholism? The powerful and intense real-life story of Anjali Talcherkar, told vividly in her new book “Yoga of Rehab: The Twelve Sutras for Transcending Addiction” is a testimony to the life-changing potential of the yogic way of life.

Talcherkar, born to Eastern Indian parents and raised in a rural farm town near Illinois, US, turned to alcohol and drugs in late teenage years, falling deeper into the nexus of pills, drinks and denial about her addiction. In the book, the author explains how she was doing the rounds between relapse and self-discipline, supported by peers, parents and mental healthcare practitioners. During rehabilitation, she met and married her husband, who she eventually lost to a drug overdose. Having hit rock bottom, Talcherkar finally found her ‘blessing’, and began her arduous journey from the dark to the light.

“Yoga of Rehab” is the brave story of Talcherkar climbing out from the dark abyss of addiction. The path of yoga, meditation and SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga) helped her recover. Today, she is out of addiction, is a certified yoga teacher and has obtained a Doctorate in Integrative Medicine. The book also details specific asanas (having specific mantras and mottos), besides some practical tasks for the readers. Excerpts from the interview:


In the book, you detail the profound impact yoga and meditation had in your life, especially in deaddiction. When were you first introduced to it? What about it moved you to quit and start afresh?

I was first introduced to yoga meditation in my early 20’s. I followed predecessors like Deepak Chopra and others until I was introduced to the Art of Living foundation in 2005 through my mother, who was a devotee. It was a time in my life when I was really struggling with addiction and traditional methods like therapy and medication could only go so far. I feel yoga and meditation reached deeper levels, helping me release trauma and underlying emotional issues causing the addictive pattern. Once I started to feel healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally, this was a new level of freedom I hadn’t experienced before. Yoga and meditation showed me the doorway to Self. Once in touch with Self, inner contentment results — there is no longer a need to intoxicate yourself with external substances. This is the freedom I experience today in my life.

You also mentioned that the nomenclature of an ‘addict’, or a ‘hardcore addict’ can be stigmatizing. Across borders, where do you think we could strengthen institutional support for people struggling with drug addiction?

Yes, absolutely. Labels do no justice in describing or identifying who you really are at your core. No words or labels can. I think people form an identity around the label and then have a hard time letting it go, even years after being free from the addiction. We can see humans as more than a label and level the playing field. All humans experience struggles in life, but to marry them to a label permanently is simply pathologizing and counterproductive. Of course, this is how the Western medical paradigm operates for many reasons, including profitability. There’s more money in treating addiction vs curing it. So, let’s start by taking the hype out of addiction (i.e., normalise it). Because lets’ face it, the world has a propensity toward addictions (food, drugs, relationships, the internet, etc.) the list could go on ad infinitum. In short, there is a need to shift the current medical paradigm and disease ideology.

Both yoga and meditation are considered alternate therapies. Being a yoga coach and CAM expert, do you feel the need to mainstream access to such treatments, both in the US and in India?

Yes, I do because these modalities work. Point blank. I’ve worked in several different rehabs over the years, and I have seen CAM treatments slowly finding their way into treatment centers, which is very positive. The main issue is the lack of insurance coverage for such treatments. Generally, unless CAM interventions are offered within the treatment program itself, people pay out of pocket. So, basically, there is a need to mainstream CAM modalities, make them accessible to underserved populations, and affordable to the masses.

Finally, after every relapse, what kept you going and striving towards health and de-addiction?

I will preface my response by stating upfront that I do not see relapse as a failure. Sometimes people need to take a few steps back to move ahead, and that is fine: it’s a personal journey. In my coaching work, I refer to a harm-reduction model, meaning abstinence could be one goal but not necessarily uniform for everyone. Some people want to cut back for a while and that works for them. While conducting my doctoral research, I re-introduced alcohol back into my life in a moderate and responsible manner. I was abstinent for 6 years until I made that decision; my view on addiction changed through my academic research. Sobriety does not necessarily mean abstinence and vice versa. If you look up the definition of sobriety, it reads, “of sound and reason mind.” I don’t consider myself an addict in recovery anymore because I have healed myself.

ALSO READ-UAE Celebrates International Day of Yoga

READ MORE-Yoga connects 37 million people across US

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Let’s make it kids friendly

If you want to unleash your child’s creativity, we suggest that no matter the quality and sturdiness of the desk you use a “placemat” or desk laminate that adds an additional layer of protection to prolong the lifespan of the furniture and make your child play carefree…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe.

Home is truly a paradise for people and we always try to make our paradise more beautiful for our kids. The pandemic has changed our way of life and expectations at and from our homes. It’s not any different for kids either. When it comes to kids, there’s an extra layer of care and stress for parents in terms of recrafting an environment at home for study and playtime. The need for a balanced or easily adaptable environment becomes paramount to enable a child to differentiate between study and playtime. This increases the need for storage, so kids can have their space. When you make an inventory to provide more storage, you wonder where to begin. Erik Jan Middlehoven, Home Furnishing & Retail Design Manager, India IKEA, said, “Planning is key”, and shares some points as a blueprint to build your child’s spacestation-cum-phrontistery.

Build the right environment to keep them engaged

It is important that your child’s surroundings are very comforting, safe, and he/she can use their surroundings to study and play. While we tend to let our children sit at the dining table for learning, it would be important to have furniture that is ergonomic and suits their size like PAHL. Don’t forget that learning has gone digital, so there is more of a reason to stress on proper seating that allows for better posture. You don’t want too much distraction near the study area as the attention span is already shorter at a younger age. Make sure the space is clutter free and has enough room to let your child focus on one topic or activity.

Finding the balance between study and playtime

Small spaces are only as restrictive as you think of them to be. Try creating different spaces for different activities in that one place. The key is compartmentalization. Look for a way to create that balanced environment by opting for storage boxes to quickly put away study material and bring it back out when it is time to study again. This technique sensitizes the child to prepare themselves for when it is time to study and when it is playtime, get your child a few TROFAST boxes to make it seem like a fun activity. The sooner you begin, the quicker you teach your children from a young age to clean up and organize.

Desks that grow with your child

Sounds interesting? We’re referring to long-term solutions like PAHL desk where the table legs are extendable and adapt to your child as your they grow. If your wallet is a little bit thinner, then consider working with a chair pad or two. Desks surfaces are, by definition, multifunctional. If you want to unleash your child’s creativity, we suggest that no matter the quality and sturdiness of the desk you use a “placemat” or desk laminate that adds an additional layer of protection to prolong the lifespan of the furniture and make your child play carefree. FLISAT is another type of extendable desk that adds a bit of elegance to the study environment.

Adjustable Wall/Table lamps

Last but not least, you want to ensure that your child has the proper lighting to set the tone of study time. A trick to get optimal usage of light is to set the lamp at a height of 80cms from the table, without having it scatter off the required area. Desk lamps like KRUX are what you should opt for; lamps that are aesthetically pleasing to the child while also serving the purpose of optimal lighting on the desk.

Storage for kids isn’t child’s play for any parent. It is the smart and clever solutions that actually work and grow with your children. The above suggestions are sure to make it easier while you build your inventory.

ALSO READ-Vintage Craft To Decor Home

READ MORE-Pandemic made changes in home décor trends

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Food Health Lite Blogs

Eat better and live healthier

People now have started adapting to the higher standard of quality of life where there is a certain prefixed standard of living that all of us are trying to accommodate and change…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

People have plenty of choices and choosing the best is not an easy task. Right and good nutrition plays a vital role in every individual’s life. Nutrition at the right time, with a hint of knowledge, is also important. We all know that nutrition plays an immensely active role in maintaining a healthy immune system for a longer period and it’s really considerate to follow the certain specification, looking at the current times.

Given the schedule of today’s generation, the entire lot has been busy and caught up in various activities, as compared to the ancient times. People now have started adapting to the higher standard of quality of life where there is a certain prefixed standard of living that all of us are trying to accommodate and change. The lifestyle most of us adapt to is unrealistic in terms of schedules, and work. There is a common issue regarding the people who work at offices for a stretch time of around 12hrs, in which they skip the proper amount of nutrients hence they consume junk & external food in their daily lifestyle. Unhealthy food does satisfy your hunger but the effects are not as expected in a long run.

The body needs good amount of nutrients which contains vitamins, minerals to work at its best. The food we consume does not have the ability to proportionate the right nutrients for our body, and that’s the whole reason why we started feeling hungry after some time even after consuming the food.

Constant is the only change they say, hence a certain amount of change in your diet can improvise your health and will keep you healthy for a longer period of time. That’s we think at Smart greens (Plant-Based Nutrition Brand) people should start consuming plant-based nutrition in their daily lifestyle. Because Plant-Based Food will be derived from a natural source without any harmful chemicals.

Plant-Based nutrition has its benefits, it naturally helps you to maintain your weight, it protects you from diseases and boosts immunity, it also contains no sugar and many other benefits.

The world has seen a drastic change in terms of diets and lifestyles! India has adapted to the Vegan culture quite well in advance.

Smart Greens as well is a Plant-Based Nutrition Brand and we are committed to helping every single person who wants to adopt a healthy lifestyle and live a good and healthy life ahead. We care for you and our planet that’s why we use only plant-based ingredients in our products because It focuses on minimally processed foods, specifically plants, and is effective at stimulating weight loss and improving health. Plant-based foods are full of fibre, rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat. That’s why we adopt Plant-Based Ingredients in our Products so that you can your best without any chemical intakes.

Commenting on the Plant-Based Ingredients the Manager of Smart Greens Jay Oza Commented “Smart Greens is not only about being vegan, But staying closer to nature while you transform yourself into healthy lifestyle. At Smart Greens We Ensure that you are getting passion, dedication and the highest quality ingredients in each and every Product”.

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Enjoy culinary experience from home kitchen

We are three food enthusiasts who always loved a good home cooked meal. We noticed that while technology has seeped into all aspects of our lives, the kitchen was somehow left behind…writes Puja Gupta.

A smart kitchen assistant app helps users with planning, shopping, and cooking. Saakshi Jain, co-founder of Zelish, suggests a meal plan with recipes can be easily prepared from home. The app understands a user’s food preferences such as their likes, dislikes, allergies.

After successfully completing the Techstars programme backed by Bosch in Munich, the app was launched in April 2020. Currently, the platform has over 1,20,000 active users who are avidly following the app’s recommendations and enjoying their culinary experiences from their home kitchens. Excerpts from her interview:

Tell us about Zelish, what does it do and how does it work?

Based on the meal plan, a grocery cart is automatically generated with all the ingredients required for the week. In addition to this, there is a step-by-step video guide that helps users prepare their meals with ease.

The signup process is pretty easy and it takes less than 30 seconds. One just needs to answer a few questions about their preferences and voila, it works as a tailor-made cooking assistant. The AI integrated algorithm can help in creating a complete personalised menu by just selecting the number of days for a meal plan.

How does it help in food wastage ?

The meal plans are made taking into account the shelf life of the ingredients, therefore reducing the risk of spoilage of perishable items. If there are extra items stocked up in the refrigerator at the end of the meal plan, one needs to just tap on the app and feed it while the AI ensures readjusting the ingredients usage according to their perishability.

Not just that, there are over 150 recipes that help users creatively customise and reuse leftovers or any extra dishes.

Did you face any challenges while launching the app?

Initially, the app was planned to be launched by July 2020. We were in Munich as a part of BSH Techstars 2020 batch, unfortunately due to the border closing announced by the government, we had to fly back to India overnight and spend countless days and nights working to accelerate the launch of the app. The app was finally launched just a week after lockdown was announced. Since everyone was operating from different places and had to don different hats, we faced quite a challenge to fasttrack things but eventually, communication and accountability helped us turn things around in time.

 What is the inspiration behind this app and what was the Eureka moment?

We are three food enthusiasts who always loved a good home cooked meal. We noticed that while technology has seeped into all aspects of our lives, the kitchen was somehow left behind. The only things people were focusing on was either ordering food from outside or dining out because a majority of meals cooked and eaten from Indian home kitchens are generally pretty mundane and staple.

People refrained from experimenting in the kitchen and preferred trying out different restaurants and cuisines, however the lockdown inspired people otherwise. Everyone wanted a change and started taking steps to enhance their culinary skills and make use of the appliances in the kitchen but no one really focused on the software part. We identified that gap after speaking to over 550 people and decided to cater to them.

Who is your target audience?

Our target audience include working women professionals/ working households where both the spouses are working but are also responsible for managing the daily meals for their families. To add to this, Zelish aims to be the go-to App for anyone who manages the kitchen — young adults who have moved away from homes, millennials who live alone, young urban working professionals, home-makers, individuals who follow a zero-wastage regiment, and men who need assistance for everything related to their kitchens.

What are your future plans?

We realised that people love to replicate dishes made by celebrity chefs and home chefs which is why we are now making their recipes shoppable. We already have celebrity chefs like Ranveer Brar, Ajay Chopra, Meghana Kamdar and home chefs like Hebbars Kitchen, Kanak’s kitchen etc on our platform.

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