The Snuggles Are Real, And So Are The Struggles

All I ever wanted to be was, not just a mother, but to be the best mother. By expecting too much from myself, I was quite overwhelmed at the time when I was pregnant with my first child. I couldn’t wait to begin my motherhood journey, with poster perfect mom-baby images floating in my head. I waited for the tiny feet to walk into my life, and after hours of anxiety and a sleepless night, my bubble burst when the wait came to an end, with the arrival of my princess. Don’t get me wrong, it is by far the most memorable - most cherished day of my life; but what happened in the following few weeks, was something I wasn't prepared for. 

Princess Heer would cry for long spells and no matter what I did or didn't do, the crying wouldn't cease. I tried breastfeeding, rocking, swaddling, and literally everything anyone would suggest without much success, I didn’t know what had hit me. I was so ashamed to acknowledge that I didn’t know what I was doing or what I was expected to do nor what I needed to do. The only thought that came to my mind was that I wasn't fit to be a mother as I had no idea how to take care of my own baby. Precious snuggles with my little one kept me going through the tough times, comforting me more than what I was giving her.

Finally, when I couldn't take it anymore, I sought medical help. Princess Heer was at that point diagnosed with a case of baby colic. Colic, I learnt are baffling bouts of crying in otherwise healthy babies, that has no solution and passes in time. This fussy phase goes on for hours at stretch, sometimes late into the night and worst of all are extremely difficult to help calm the baby, which compounds to frustration, worry and exhaustion. Most bouts peak at around 6 weeks and then typically start to taper off by 12 to 15 weeks. By three months most colicky infants seem to be miraculously cured. The colic may stop suddenly or end gradually, with some good and some bad days, until they are all good.

However, that didn't mean anything, as listening to my princess cry was heartbreaking and upsetting to a point that it took a physical and emotional toll on my wellbeing. And at that time, I did what I knew best, joined a moms’ group and spoke about it. I received a lot of encouragement and support from other moms who could relate to the issue and some who had faced similar situations. Some calming remedies that were suggested worked their magic most of the times and I was able to help my little one calm more often as the days went by. It was just the therapy I needed to be a sane mother, especially the second time around. 

Being part of the moms' group made me realise that there were a lot of moms who had the courage to seek help and be better at motherhood with each passing day. It is the very thought that SC Johnson's All Out® applauds in its latest campaign #MujheSabNahiPata, which celebrates strong mothers who acknowledge that they don't know everything. During the release of the film, a panel discussion was organised between actress Sonali Bendre, renowned Paediatrician Dr. Samir Dalwai and Child Psychologist Dr. Rupal Patel which centred around the societal expectations of a mother in India. The most important aspect as Dr. Dalwai mentioned is not the issue itself but the alertness of a parent to the signs and changes in an infant’s behaviour, which could enable a quick resolution. Instances where a small insect can cause severe damage by spreading dengue can be arrested and fought off with timely intervention by being a vigilant mother and seeking help from experts.

Let us join this movement and like olden times tie a knot at the end of our attire to remind ourselves to share our #MujheSabNahiPata stories which can help other moms be more prepared for their beautiful journey. Looking forward to hearing your #MujheSabNahiPata stories in the comments section below.

Until next time,

~ Heena

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Is Soy Good For The Health Of The Environment?

The world population has been growing at an alarming rate directly impacting the world's natural resources for basic necessities such as shelter, clothing and most importantly food. One of the food demands is met by animal meat, however, the supply of animal meat impacts the environment negatively putting pressure on the land and water while emitting greenhouse gases. One of the primary reasons animal meat is required in abundance is for animal-based protein that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including building bones, muscles, cartilage and skin; producing blood, enzymes and hormones and repairing body tissue.

Even with the increase in population and a massive demand the traditional sources of protein like meat, fish and dairy still dominate the protein market because of a highly developed industry and the ease of availability. Additionally, these sources have functional properties and health benefits that are supported not only by scientific studies but also by medical intervention. However, since they have a negative impact on the environment scientific studies have pegged plant-based protein as an appropriate substitute. Numerous vegetables and fruits punch in a high level of protein, however, they do not have all the essential amino acids that the human body needs, except for soya beans.

An  EAT Lancet Commission Study has pegged soy protein as a rich source of plant-based protein with an extremely high Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score, making it a sought after food product that is not only well-digested but also has all the essential amino acids to support growth and development. Though there are many myths surrounding soy protein, the one thing numerous research papers show is the environmental friendliness of soya bean production with efficient use of land, water, and energy. Soya bean also delivers the highest protein density for human consumption per amount of fossil energy inputs. And as the demand for protein increases and water and land resources become strained, the environmental sustainability of protein sources, such as soya bean intensifies as it has the smallest carbon footprint compared to other animal sources.

So as the world moves to more sustainable living, soy and soy products would be the best way to start your journey toward an environmental-friendly healthy lifestyle. Soy is the chameleon of foods, and can easily be added to any dish, whether sweet or salty, for breakfast or lunch or a snack or dinner. Here are a few suggestions that will help you get the most out of soy.

⟡ Substitute cow’s milk with soy milk 

⟡ Use soy oil in place of regular oil 

⟡ Blend soy yoghurt to make smoothies

⟡ Add whole soybeans to a salad 

⟡ Marinate soy for a non-traditional hummus

⟡ Swap soy butter for peanut butter

⟡ Stir-fry tofu for gravy and vegetable dishes

So in reality, soy is not only healthy and nutritious; but also incredibly versatile and tasty. It also reduces the carbon footprint making a positive contribution to climate change. So it is the time to switch to sustainable, clean eating. 

Until next time,

~ Heena

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