Four Clover Life- By Namrata Shailendra Singh

Hello WM, The day you stepped out of the house to work, that day my troubles doubled. I am an educated, uptown Indian mom living in the United States. I choose to stay at home and taking care of the family. You decide to work and taking care of the family. Yet, your stepping out has made people question why I stay inside? Is that fair?  You are adding to the family income that has made people question my value and worth? Is that fair?  Your laptop bag and handbag have made people wonder why I don't have one? Your 8-5 work schedule has made people question what I do sitting at home? Your busy weekday and weekends have made people believe that I am a lazy person. Is that fair?  And sometimes it's not the people. It’s your very own family and your very own child...each asking the same thing in a ‘family manner.' Isn't it unfair?  I have newfound guilt of not being career-oriented, financially independent, and adding to the household income just because you chose ...

I am calcium phosphate, grayish in color and coarse to touch; 16 hours before, I was fair in color and soft to feel Strewn over river Ganges, my pulverized self floats up and down, 16 hours before, I was floating up and down too My newborn grandchild, with deep blue eyes and apple cheeks, Cradled in my arms, as I floated with joy, up and down. I am calcium phosphate, and I weigh around 6 pounds now, My name and identity have changed as I hear them calling me 'ashes' and ‘remains’ They say it took me 2.5 hours to convert, and my 65 years of the story ended forever. Today a handful of me lies in a container; Yesterday, I could gather life in my arms and have rendezvous with dreams of all kinds. I look back now... distantly, I realize, That the journey from ' abundance ' to ' remains' is shorter than we think That the journey from ' someone ' to ' no-one' is far too fleeting than we think, And yet we ride all our life, cogitating ...

I will be honest here. I had no idea about Omega 3 fatty acids. When my son was born, I started hearing from the pediatrics just how important omega 3 fatty acids are. In a layman's language, this is one good and important fat for the body that it cannot make itself and hence has to rely on food sources from outside. It is basically a form of fatty acids that helps keep the brain healthy, avoid cardiovascular diseases, and lower triglycerides. For growing children, it helps in their brain development. Research has shown that Omega three has been linked to various benefits ranging from eye function to certain behavioral and psychological well-being. While these are part of various studies with varying degrees of success, what is important to note is that it is essential nutrition for kids and adults, and we should be incorporating it into our diet. The types of omega-3 fats are: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA ...

It is to paint the canvas of life together. Some parts will be hazy, some bright, some nicely curved, and some just blank...but a beautiful one. It's the journey together that is important and not what you get out of it. Son-They say my role in your life is to give you roots and wings and then I will have to let you  go. I don't think that can ever happen. You are my child and what you mean to me can not be defined just between roots and wings. I shall not let you go. Why should I? Let go is a problematic word for me. You let go when people and events are so bitter that they are scarring your present and have the potential to scar your future. Why do I need to let go of a bond which defines me beautifully and the bond which has given me the deepest and the greatest satisfaction one can have in a lifetime? I shall let you be and let you charter your life, standing right where we both started our journey together. I will see you from my frail window, flying and fallin...

Help boost their immune system Winters are knocking, and we better get prepared. While it's festival and holiday time in India and the United States, let's also give some thought to living healthy and living natural this winter season and many more to come. Let’s look at some  small, everyday  healthy practices which can go a long way in making them stronger and their immune system better. Age three and above The immune system  is everything. In layman’s terms- It’s our defense system to protect us against all kinds of diseases. It detects and distinguishes between pathogens, viruses, and parasitic worms (all that make us ill) and our own healthy tissues. It goes without saying that a healthy functioning immune system can go a long way in keeping ourselves and our children safe. A  newborn’s immune system is not nearly as effective as an adult’s or even an older child’s. Many a time, we see babies and toddlers falling sick more often than older kids...

The Recipe - Take a medium-size beetroot. Cut it into half. Take one-half beetroot and 4 baby carrots. Blend it in a blender. Add some water. Liquefy it. Sieve and get the fresh juice out. Keep the residue for adding it in some recipe. Don't throw. It has important fiber still left. Water though dilutes the nutrition, but too much concentration of these nutrients can also be a problem. Go slow and go safe. The Nutrition -What goes in are rich vitamin and mineral content-vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, and C, as well as folic acid, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, and fiber with the benefits from carrots too. (Not to forget carrots add a bit of sweet taste too.) No additional sweetener is required. The Health-One of the biggest benefits that studies have shown is the effect of beetroot on Blood Pressure. What is Blood Pressure? In a layman's language, it is the force of the blood flow against the artery walls. While 120/80 is the normal and ideal range, it becomes a...