Bring Soy Home, A Super Food For Super Health

I've talked at length about protein deficiency and the problems associated with it earlier on the blog and how soy protein helps to bridge that gap, especially for those who follow a vegetarian diet. Though the debate on the pros and cons of soy has been around for a very long time, with an equal number of people for and against it, I personally believe that there has been enough study and research to have busted all the myths surrounding it. Of course, I'm not going to discuss those myths, but I am surely going to touch upon the benefits of soy and share with you a few dishes that will easy soy into your daily intake of food. 

As the perfect vegan protein-rich item, soy offers the following health benefits -
Low in Fat: Soy is an excellent source of fibre with almost zero fat and zero cholesterol content. This makes it one of the easiest food items to digest. 

Rich in Omega-3: Soy contains a high content of omega-3 fatty acids which makes it a great agent of anti-ageing, combating diseases like cancer, dementia and diabetes. 

Full of Minerals: Soy is rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium making it an element of building strong bones and muscles.  

Complete source of Protein: Soy is the only vegetarian food item that is a complete protein with all eight amino acids making it an essential component for all bodily functions.

This makes soy a power-packed ingredient that can be used to make a range of delectable dishes. But in spite of such amazing health benefits, soy is hardly seen in everyday food. So I thought I should introduce you to some dishes that are easy to cook and offer unique flavours which will make you fall in love with soy, just like they did to me.

Zucchini Stuffed with Soya 

Zucchini Stuffed with Soya is a baked flatbread, made with zucchini and stuffed soy-spice mix and served as a side dish during an elaborate meal.

Soyognese

Soyognese is the vegetarian take on bolognese, perfect sauce to dress up spaghetti or lasagne and best served for dinner.

Soya Florentine

Soya Florentine is an oodle to lasagna, made of soy and spinach coupled with cheese and best served as light dinner.

Soybean Falafel

Soybean Falafel is a ball or a flat or a doughnut-shaped patty, made with soy and herbs that can be served with hummus or a veggies dip, as a light snack.

Soya Nuggets 65

Soya Nuggets 65 is a spicy, deep-fried soy dish that can be served with a bowl of rice and a colourful fruit salad as a quick entrée. 

Though there are numerous dishes that can be prepared with soy, you can also pick some which are easily available in the market, especially those from DuPont, a world leader in developing innovative soy-based ingredients that enable nutritious and great-tasting food and beverage products. The rigorous quality standards, advanced technologies, manufacturing and inventory control ensures they offer the best soy products. 

So now as you have both the options, stop making excuses and take that vegetarian meal a notch up in tasty and health with soy.

Until next time,
~ Heena

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Wedding Shoes, Tips To Pick The Perfect Pair

The date is set, the card is selected, the wedding dress is picked and the accessories are coordinated. Now all you need is the right pair of shoes to dazzle on your big day. But you have no idea where to start, except that traditionally brides preferred to match their wedding shoes to their wedding dresses. But that is so very passé now. In 2019, brides are paying attention to their footwear more than ever, and experimenting with different shoe silhouettes and styles.

Just like every aspect of your wedding ensemble, there are many options in wedding footwear but most of the time brides end up picking glitter pumps or heels for their celebrations. For my wedding in 2007, I alternated between a pair of super cute ankle strap heels and super stylish gold glitter pumps, and both had the same magical effect on the overall look. However, today if you are wondering what kind of heels you should opt for, for your wedding celebrations, I’m going to share with you, the best options you can choose from.

Stilettos

Without a shred of doubt, one of the best silhouettes in high heels is the Stilettos, however not the most comfortable if you aren’t used to wearing it. But if it is your choice of heels I’d suggest to pick a colour to either to compliment or contrast your dress and make them both stand out. 

Pumps

The most ideal wedding heels that can easily add 3-4 inches to your height and make you look taller are the pumps. Go for this heel if you want toffee a little air under your feet. Though pumps are available in numerous shades I'd definitely recommend silver glitter pumps that will compliment any dress. 

Ankle Strap 

A perfect pair of heels that offers more stability with a strap around the ankle making it super comfortable not only to walk in but also dance in are the ankle strap heels. I'd keep in mind to get a pair with straps that are small to medium in thickness, so they don’t bite and cut into your skin.

Kitten Heels

The perfect choice of heels if comfort is more important to you than style, would be the kitten heels. The silhouette makes you look as cute as a button and the comfort is top notch making them a perfect companion for the entire celebration. I'd pick ones with beautifully crafted heels in various forms to make it more endearing. 

Now that we have the type of heels you want sorted out, here are some tips to make picking one easy.

1. Get a style you have worn before and are comfortable in. Don’t experiment with heel height.

2. Pick the right size and wear them in for a few hours before the D-day.

3. Opt for comfort, stability and style, precisely in that order.

4. Bring a spare pair of shoes and keep them under the bridal table, in case you need to change.

5. Keep a footwear survival kit handy; with band-aids and gel inserts.

Finally, always remember, it is your wedding day and what you wear is a matter of personal preference. Pick whatever your heart desires to make your perfect wedding ensemble and just remember to have fun. 

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What to expect from Richa Chadda’s Cabaret?

I first noticed her in the Dibakar Banerjee’s ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye’ which released in 2009 where she played a supporting role of Dolly. In the movie, she is able to humanise the quirky character with her multi-dimensional facets. However, her breakthrough performance came in later with Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama  ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ where she played a pivotal role of Nagma Khatoon, exceptionally pulling off a role of a 16-year-old girl, who matures into a 60-year-old woman through the course of the duology. I am talking about Richa Chadda, considered today as one of the finest performers in the Indian entertainment industry, with immeasurable talent.

Over the years her ease in front of a camera has been appreciated with some extremely noteworthy performances; as Bholi Punjaban in the Fukrey franchise, Devi Pathak in Masaan and Zarina Malik in the TV series Inside Edge.

The three-time award winner is set to dazzle audiences with her new film - Cabaret, a ZEE5 Original. The thriller directed by Kaustav Narayan Niyogi and produced by Pooja Bhatt for Fisheye Network Private Limited follows the life of a girl from Jharkhand, who begins her journey with dreams of making it big in the world of dance but ends up as a cabaret dancer. As I watched the film’s trailer, there were a few things that got me excited which I have listed below: 

Engaging Storyline

Trust Richa to choose a script that has an engaging narrative. Going by the trailer of the movie, Cabaret shows incredible promise of being a thrilling ride through the dark corners of mystery and deceit. Being set in the entertainment industry, the movie also shows another side to the showbiz and sees Richa burn the dance floor with her scorching presence and dance moves. 

Honest Performance

Even though it seems the easiest thing of a filmmaking journey, it is evident the amount of hard work that Richa would have put into attaining the perfection that a script as original and raw as Cabaret demands. Being the first time Richa dons the role of a dancer, Cabaret shows how flawlessly she can perform, portraying the innocence of the village belle to the shrewdness of a cabaret dance to utter perfection. The character development can be seen distinctly through the trailer and Richa beautifully plays it with a high believability factor. 

Overall Styling

The overall look and feel of the central character lends authenticity to the film and enables the viewers to move with the story, which is clearly evident in Richa’s costumes and make-up. The trailer of Cabaret shows the emphasis the team has put into the overall styling of the film as every facet of the movie has a rich glitzy feel to it which is needed for a film dealing with the entertainment industry.

Check out the trailer to know about the movie yourself.

What in the trailer excites you to watch the movie? Do let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, 

~ Heena

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Ideal Gifts to pick for a Newborn

RV came into this world kicking up a storm and I was overwhelmed with emotion and anxiety. My second brush with motherhood was fairly simple as compared to the first time when #PrincessHeer arrived, I knew what to do and what not. I also knew particularly what I needed and what I didn’t. While it’s easy for new parents to figure out what they need for their newborns, it’s pretty tricky for friends and family to know what to gift when visiting the newborn. Sometimes they think they have picked the most ideal gift which actually turns out either to be completely useless or gifted in multiples.

So this time to negate the unnecessary, I created a unique online gift registry that brings together unique baby and kids products from over 35 brands under one roof. These products are perfect gifts for every occasion including birthdays, baby showers, and more. As I created a registry for RV, I browsed through different websites, selected products and added them to my wishlist; which then I shared with my friends and family in just a single click. And voila, I received the most appropriate and useful things that would ease my motherhood journey.

Do you want to know what products I picked for my little man?

Diapers

Diapers are the most obvious gift for a newborn, however, only a few people I know think of diapers as an appropriate baby gift. Maybe the rationale behind it is that diapers don’t last, and one wants to gift something that stays forever. This issue is now resolved with eco-friendly, reusable cloth diapers that not only keep the baby happy and healthy but also keep the environment safe. Reusable cloth diapers from brands like SuperButtoms have now become the most appreciated and useful gift for new parents. I received a dual pack of Superbottoms Plus Uno that are perfect to start diapering, as they are a sustainable, rash-free option for babies up to 3 years of age. The diapers are the slimmest cloth diapers available in cutest prints, that work as a 3-in-1 product; re a diaper, a pocket diaper and a swim diaper.

Carrier

The one thing that I learnt with #PrincessHeer was that no matter how cosy a swing or bouncy seat is, she always wanted to be cuddled in my arms. And no matter how much I loved doing it, it became impossible for me to go about my daily routine while carrying her. So I particularly wanted a fuss-free, hands-free baby carrier that ensured maximum comfort and luxury for RV. Of the many national and international brands available I picked the Yoga Carrier from Cookiie Pie Co. for its silhouette which helps a baby nest against your body in the most natural way. The Yoga Carrier is the easiest way to soothe a baby during sleepless nights and tiring days, with its supportive waist belt and cushioned under thigh guard. The Yoga Carrier is a practical gift for new parents that can be used until the baby weighs 20 kgs.

Blanket

I was surprised with just how many types of baby blankets are available in the market today, making it extremely difficult for new parents to figure out what exactly would be appropriate for an infant. The main job of a good baby blanket is to provide the newborn with positive sleep associations helping him to fall asleep without too much fuss, and keep him calm and reassured. The Dro Sto blanket that I received, is a gorgeous piece in a lightweight and breathable fabric perfect for swaddling, tummy time and everything in between. The blanket allows RV to sleep easily and peacefully, without heating the body even in a warm climate. The blanket is available in lots of fun colours and exciting characters, and be rest assured that there is a Dro Sto blanket that can match any nursery. The Dro Sto blanket is so snuggly, soft and cushiony, that I wish they made it in full sizes for adult-kids like myself to feel amazing.

Footwear

New parents receive numerous clothing items as gifts, but not once have I heard or seen baby footwear given as gifts. Believe it or not baby socks, booties and shoes are essential for every newborn as they help regulate a baby’s temperature. In fact, I’ve personally experienced that fussiness decreases as soon as RV’s little feet are covered and warm. Since I didn't want to leave it to chance I added a few products from Aviv a brand that specialises in custom-made handcrafted baby footwear on my must-have list of baby products. The brand Aviv works with local artisans supporting cottage industries to offer luxuriously soft, super flexible, thin-soled baby footwear made with carefully chosen materials to keep your little one's feet protected. The brand offers a ton of colours and patterns for both little girls and boys that will help your little one stand out in a crowd. Not only are the shoes a perfect keepsake, but the brand also offers bags for toddlers and tooth pouches for kids as well, all perfect to create lasting memories.

Rocker

A rocker or a bouncing chair is an absolute lifesaver for a new parent, and I know this as #PrincessHeer had colic and it was the most perfect way to help her lay in a reclined position to help reduce reflux and also allow for a soothing rocking motion. After intense scrutiny, I picked a good quality rocker from Little Olive rocker for its ergonomic design and premium quality material that is suitable for a newborn. The rocker not only keeps the baby engaged during playtimes, but it also offers a great position in the initial days of feeding and also serves as a great option for a baby to sleep in. The Little Olive rocker not only cradles little RV in comfort and provides optimal support for his back but also soothing massage-like feel with the vibrate function to keep him safe and engaged.

What do you think? Are these products perfect gifts for a newborn or do you think there are other products that would make ideal gifts? Leave me your suggestions in the comments below about what would make ideal gifts for a newborn; or some interesting episode when you received gifts for your little ones.

Until next time,
~ Heena

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