MOM AND MUTUAL FUNDS

 Moms are multi-taskers, they know how to manage everything.

Be it daily chores like planning the menu, grocery shopping, teaching kids, or finance.

They are good at everything. 

They are actually very good at handling finance, they know how to save some money from the monthly expenses. 

Their secret stash of cash often helps at times of need.

They are good at short-term and long-term planning.

They try to provide the best for their children.

If we compare mom with mutual fund we will find many things similar.

Let's empower your financial well-being. 

For more details, you can visit the HSBC Website 

Also, readers are requested to fill in this form  to help you to understand better and have your queries answered by the brand. 

#SaverToInvestor 

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful.

Ghazala 

WOW CURATED LUXURY FRAGRANCE

 Hello Friends 

Back after a long time :) 

In today's post, I will share about a new launch by Wow Skincare.

It's a Limited edition curated luxury fragrance.

I received this last month. 

This pack has two fragrance 

1. Tanjore Twilight 

2. Gulmarg Mist 

Tanjore Twilight 

Tanjore Twilight is a floral fragrance. 

( Contains Jasmine & Basil Fragrance) 

It's mild and smells so good :) 

Good for everyday use while going out to college or work.

Gulmarg Mist 

Gulmarg mist is sublime and earthy.

( Contains saffron)

Good for those who like strong fragrances.

Price: 899 

( Which is affordable ) 

The packaging is cute and the sleek bottles are travel-friendly one

 can easily carry these in their bag or purse.

These are free of Parabens and phthalates.

Vegan and cruelty-free products.

Overall I liked this, one more good one from Wowskincare.

Do tell me your views about this.

Ghazala 

All About Body Butter

 

Y’all are already familiar with the term body butter, if not let’s know what body

butter is. Body butter is a thick cream that is deeply nourishing and

moisturizing. It protects your skin from dryness and rough patches. Body

butter usually contains a combination of naturally derived butter like shea or

cocoa butter to natural oils like argan, jojoba, almond, or coconut to protect

your skin and deeply moisturize it.

Benefits of Body butter:

1. It can be used as all over-body moisturizer:

Yes, you can use it as an all-over body moisturizer. Apply it after taking a

shower when your skin is still wet. Because when your body is a bit moist the

body butter sinks deeply into your skin providing enough moisture all day.

Apply the required amounts of body butter using broad massaging strokes. But

be careful not to use too much because your skin could get greasy and sticky if

you use it too much.

2. No more dry skin patches:

Body butter is an amazing gift for those who have dry and rough patches on

their body. This body butter deeply nourishes dry and rough skin and keeps it

hydrated throughout the day. Keep a small box of body butter in your bag or in

the drawer at work or college, so you can easily soothe your skin whenever

required.

3. Reduces stretch marks and mild scars:

As body butter is a combination of naturally derived butter and is free from

toxic and harsh chemicals, it is safe to use and is super effective. The

components of natural body butter are all high in nutritious vitamins which

help in reducing stretch marks, and scars and make it soft, smooth, and

supple.

                                              4. For glassy and shiny legs:

                  Girls! I know how itchy and dry the skin gets after shaving or waxing. We all

                dream about shiny and glossy legs, right? Don’t worry about it. All you have to

                  do is just warm up a bit of body butter between your palms and massage it

                gently starting from your ankles to the thighs. This will not only make your

               skin shiny and smooth but also hydrated all day long.

                                              5. At-home manicure:

                 Don’t have time to get a manicure? Don’t feel like using a chemical-loaded

                cuticle softener? A long day at work? Do your toes not feel smooth and soft

               anymore? It’s time to nourish them. Take a warm salty foot bath and clean

                    your feet with a fresh towel and massage the body butter into your feet.

                                  6. Can be used as a makeup remover:

             Body butter can be used when you’re out of makeup remover Just apply a

              dime-sized amount to a tissue or a wipe, close your eyes, and gently rub your

              makeup. This body butter can even remove stubborn waterproof makeup.

                Few best body butters  available in the market :

1. Skivia Calming Body Butter:

This body butter is infused with the goodness of Saffron, Jasmine, Lavender &

Jojoba oils that give a calming effect to the skin along with Shea & Kokum

Butter that works to moisturize the skin so that it stays smooth & supple. This

rich body butter keeps dry skin at bay and promotes healthy and younger-

looking skin.

2. The Body Shop- Mango Body Butter

The Body Shop Body Butter Mango is a feast for the skin. It melts straight into

the skin leaving it soft and smooth. It contains Community Trade cocoa butter

and has an exotic mango scent.

3. Vilvah- Rose And Geranium Body Butter:

Get some intense moisturizing effect with the handcrafted blend of our

whipped Body butter which hydrates and nourishes your skin all throughout

the day.

That’s it, guys! I hope these tips will make your everyday beauty ritual much

easier while enjoying the amazing benefits of using body butter.

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful. 

Do comment below with your favorite body butter.

Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser- Best Shampoo for Curly Hair

 

Curly hair needs special love and care, Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser is the best shampoo to clean the scalp and maintain the curls.

Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser- Best Shampoo for Curly Hair

Curly hair might seem very attractive, but it is extremely difficult to maintain.

 Using specialized curl-care products is imperative to ensure that the hair remains manageable and frizz-free. 

Curly hair does not receive enough natural oils from the scalp because the structure of the hair bonds makes it difficult for the oil to travel through the stands. 

This is the reason why curls are usually dry and frizzy. 

Hence it is hard to maintain curly hair when compared to straight hair 

and finding the right shampoo for curly hairs is equally challenging.

Factors like humidity, protein intake, and topical hair care products

 affect curly hair to a great extent. People with curls need to avoid chemicals 

such as sulfates, parabens, salicylic acid, silicones, formaldehyde, alcohol, and 

other fragrance-related chemicals. A sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair 

is a must to get rid of dirt and also to retain the beautiful curls. 

Maintaining curly hair is time-consuming. The time we spend on our curls 

can even affect our day-to-day life. Everyone loves rain but people with curly hair struggle with humidity. When it comes to maintaining my curls, there are many other solutions on the market but I prefer Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser.

Here is my detailed Curlvana shampoo review.

Why I love Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser.

No more frizzy hair 

It helps manage my curls.

 It contains zero glycerine which helps us to avoid day 2 or day 3 frizz. 

Curlvana is India’s first all-weather no frizzy curly hair range.

 The cleanser is super gentle on my curls and deeply cleans without damaging the scalp. 

It contains plant protein which provides sufficient nourishment for my hair.

 If you hate frizzy hair, then Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser is the best shampoo for smooth curly hair.

Gentle cleaning 

Many other shampoos and conditioners available on the market can be harmful 

and harsh while washing the hair. After several hair washes, it causes dryness,

 and leads to breakage of hair, while increasing the hair fall. Some shampoos 

can cause split ends and affect the look of the person. 

Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanser is formulated with mild surfactants to remove grime.

 It also prevents the sebum and build-up without stripping the hair of its natural moisture. 

 It is indeed the best shampoo for curly hair.

Free from nasty chemicals 

It is the best curly hair shampoo in India;

 it is free from harmful chemicals which can damage our hair. 

It contains fermented rice extract and is enriched with the right amount of proteins

 to strengthen weak and damaged curls. 

It is best to treat frizzy hair as it contains natural ingredients and it stimulates hair growth.

 There is no presence of nasty chemicals like sulfates, parabens, or silicones. 

 It works like charm for wavy curly hair too. 

Color safe

If you got colored hair then this part of the Curlvana fortify cleanser review is for you. 

It works well on colored curly hair too without affecting the hue of your tresses. 

It helps the hair look bouncy and adds extra volume with the help of the fermented rice extract, plant protein, shea butter, and Jamaican black castor oil.

From diary of a poetess

 Hello Freinds 

A different kind of post today.

A short Urdu poem written by me :) 

( Sometimes I write Shayari also :) )

Inn bhuli bisri rahoo pe 

kuch yaadein aab bhi baqi hai 

Jeene ki tammana iss dil main 

shayad aab bhi baqi hai 

mat darra zindagi mujhe 

umeed aab bhi baqi hai 

Jeene ke liye, yehi bahut hai ki 

Mera Rab mujhse raazi hai :) 

A kind of motivational one, 

I read this when feeling low 

Umeed aab bhi baqi hai :) 

Among all the ups and down's 

we must remember " Hope is still there" 

 Share your view on this in the comment section below.

Ghazala 

Health Benefits of Fasting

 Hello friends 

In this post, I will share some health benefits of fasting and why is it so necessary.

* Fasting helps in weight management 

Overweight or obesity is a common problem now in people of all age groups.

Fasting helps to control those hunger pranks and do mindful eating. 

Less calorie intake helps in weight loss. 

* Fasting promotes better health by fighting inflammation

One study has shown that intermittent fasting helps to decrease levels of inflammatory markers.

* It may improve heart health by improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

* Boosts metabolism 

Fasting actually boosts metabolism which helps in weight control and weight loss.

* Could delay the aging process 

The most common types of fasting which we can practice are: 

* Water fasting 

One needs to drink plenty of water for a particular time period avoiding any solid food.

This also helps to cleanse the system and remove toxins from the body.

* Liquid Diet 

In this case, one can take only a liquid diet for a day or two, like fresh juices, coconut water, soups, etc. 

* Intermittent Fasting 

Here food intake is restricted for a few hours like 14-16 hours.

This helps to cleanse our body thoroughly and also helps in weight management.

* Partial Fasting 

In this case, few foods are restricted like fast foods, nonveg, sweets, etc.

This also helps in weight management.

* Calorie Restriction 

In this case, calorie intake is restricted so that one can easily do weight management.

Apart from this, we all know that all religion teaches the importance of fasting.

In Islam, we observe Roza during the holy month of Ramadan 

Entire month all are supposed to fast during day time, can eat in evening and night.

Very small kids can skip, it's for the 7+ age group.

Initially kids are made to fast for a day or two and as they grow older they are asked to keep more. 

We have been practicing this since childhood, so doesn't look difficult, in fact, is easy for us :) 

Kids are taught about the benefits of fasting, taught to respect food, thank almighty for the food we are getting daily, help poor and needy who can't afford good food like us. 

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful. 

Do share your views in the comments section below. 

Oats Porridge Recipe

 Hello Friends 

Back with one more healthy recipe :) 

Today I will share a simple and easy-to-prepare oats recipe.

We all know that oats are healthy and should be included in our daily diet.

There are several sweet and savory oats recipes that we include in our diet.

Sharing one Oat porridge recipe.

Ingredients 

* Oats - 1 cup

* Milk -2 cups 

* Dry fruits ( any of your choice ) 

* Fox Nuts ( Makhana ) - 1/2 cup 

* Olive oil /ghee - 2 tspn 

* Sugar ( as per taste) 

* Coconut powder - 1 tspn 

I took cashews, pistachios, raisins, figs, dates.

Method of preparation :

1. In a pan add ghee/oil, fry makhana, and dry fruits.

2. In a mixer grinder make a coarse powder of makhana and dry fruits.

3. In the same pan add oats and coconut powder, dry roast it for a few minutes on low flame, take care that it doesn't get burned.

4. Add milk and boil it on low to medium flame, once the milk starts boiling add dry fruits and sugar.

5. Cook it on a medium flame for 10-15 minutes till oats get cooked well.

Delicious oats porridge is ready to serve and enjoy :) 

Some Tips: 

* One can use fat-free skimmed milk.

* One can add or skip the sugar if they want to make it more healthy.

* Adding dates and fig requires less sugar.

* Using olive oil instead of ghee makes it more healthy.

This is good for breakfast as oats are rich in fiber and nutrients and help in digestion and weight management. 

Oats also help to control blood sugar levels and manage high BP problems. 

Do try it, you will surely like it :) 

One can check one more healthy recipe of  Talbina which I shared some time back.

Ghazala 

Benefits of Running An Instagram Giveaway

 Hello friends 

Back with one more interesting post for my readers :) 

In Today's post, I will discuss the benefits of running an Instagram Giveaway :) 

We all know giveaway helps to connect with our followers & readers.

It also helps us to get new followers, more engagement on our page.

But it has several other benefits too :) 

During my initial days of blogging some six years back, I started with Blog Giveaways 

That actually helped me to get genuine readers for my blog posts, some of which are still reading my posts regularly.

Then it was Facebook contest & giveaways in collaboration with a few brands, that also worked well and helped me to get new readers for my blog :)

Next, the trend was Instagram 

Which is still the most popular social media platform for many.

Initially, I did some giveaways of my own on Instagram, then in collaboration with some brands which helped me to get more followers.

Two years back I started a Giveaway page on Instagram with one of my closest blogger friends Zainab Raazi :)

Since both of us have done lots of giveaways together, we thought of starting a page.

Initially, it was too much work, too many confusions but gradually within 4-5 months things settled and it was easy to manage. 

We are doing monthly giveaways with some bloggers and brands. 

Our brand partners sponsor their brand's products as gifts :) 

Now after running it successfully for two years :)

I have a few things to share : 

1. It helped me to grow as a person 

This is the best thing that happened :) 

I got connected with new people, Influencers, bloggers, brands, and participants.

2. I learned Business

Yes, this is true for a person who has no background in the business.

I learned how to deal with Clients 

How to convince brands to collaborate :) 

For July Giveaway we collaborated with a celebrity Rakshandha Khan :) 

Again that was a different kind of experience dealing with a celebrity :)

3. Growth of my Instagram page 

From the giveaway page, every month I am gaining new followers and very good engagement from participants. Which is so good for my blogging profession.

4. WE could help many needy people via giveaways

This sounds a bit strange but it's true. Many of the giveaway winners personally messaged me and thanked me for the money and gifts they won from our page, said during the lockdown period financial situation was not good and the prize money helped them.

Again this made me think 

We should have more cash giveaways where our winners get cash amounts as prizes.

So, for me, this journey can be called a Happy Journey :) 

Sharing my page's link

Do check it out

 The Prizes Galore 

Hope you all liked this post and found it useful.

Do share your views in the comment section below.

Ghazala 

Recipe of Paneer Tikka on Tawa

 Hello friends 

A different kind of post this time :) 

Recipe of Paneer Tikka on Tawa.

Paneer Tikka is one of the most popular Indian dishes, liked by people of all age groups.

Many prepare it on grill, oven, etc. 

But today  I will share a simple and easy method to prepare it on Iron Tawa.

Ingredients: 

Paneer: 200 gms 

Tomatoes: 2/3 medium sized 

Capsicum: 2 medium sized 

Curd: 3 tablespoon 

Salt ( as per taste ) 

Garlic paste : 1 tspn 

Haldi powder : 1/2 tea spoon 

Red chilli powder : 1/2 tea spoon 

Chaat masala powder : 1 tspn 

Garam Masala powder : 1 tspn 

Oil to fry 

 Method of preparation: 

* Cut Paneer into small cubes 

* Dice the vegetables into small cubes

* In a bowl add paneer, vegetables, and all other ingredients 

Mix well and marinate for around half an hour.

* After half an hour, heat an Iron Tawa put two tspn oil on it and put marinated paneer and vegetables on it, and fry it on low to medium flame. Cook for around 5-8 minutes till the paneer and vegetables get cooked properly.

* Do not put it all together, do it in batches, so that gets cooked properly.

* One can sprinkle some lemon juice on it to get that extra tangy taste ( this is optional) 

Delicious Paneer Tikka is ready to serve and enjoy:) 

I tried this many times and it comes out too good :)

Takes less time than the oven and is quite easy to do, so do try it out :) 

Paneer is a good source of protein and the curry dishes are a bit heavy, this tikka is light and easy to digest, also taste-wise too good :) 

One of my favorite :) 

Ghazala 

The World Needs More of Kindness

 A smiling face does not guarantee a happy heart. 

We never know and can understand what the other person is going through as usually, people do not want to cry in public or do not wish to share their struggle and pain with everyone.

Especially the introvert ones. 

So, Be Kind to everyone you meet :)

Before sarcastically complaining " You forgot me " or " You are too busy " 

Pause and Think 

Ask them about their health and happenings first.

They might not open in front of you but try to give some good vibes, some reasons to smile :) 

As compared to our parent's and grandparents' time, cases of mental illness are much more now and sadly it remains unnoticed and uncared.

People are worried about physical health, education, carrier, money but not Mental Health. 

Which can cause depression and mental problems. 

There are many cases where bright students become failures in practical life.

Reason mental issues, lack of confidence, less practical approach towards life, less of emotional bonding with family and friends.

These all made me think deeply about this issue.

Are we providing a good environment to our kids and immediate family members?

The answer might be Yes or No 

But thankfully we still have time to work on it.

Let's start with our families then close friends and then others.

Let's bond emotionally, 

Let us try to be a Pillar of emotional support to all who need it.

It doesn't cost you money or much time, 

Just a little patience and empathy :)

Empathy is something that can make you a Better Person.

As it will help you to understand and feel others' pain.

Before the pandemic started we all were living a very hectic life, busy with our jobs and daily chores, some even didn't care to stay connected with their relatives or old friends but then during the lockdown period, we had plenty of free time.

Many got connected with their long-lost friends and relatives again.

When I got connected with many of my cousins and friends and listened to their stories, then understood that everyone is going through some or another thing, everyone's challenge is different but it's there.

At times they don't even get someone to listen to their problems.

I know many a time it's not possible to help a few but at best we can listen to them and give them some moral strength so that they feel better. 

So finally I would say let's try our best to provide emotional support to our near and dear ones. 

Show them more kindness, give them a little more time.

Believe me " You will feel good, happy and satisfied " 

One gets inner satisfaction by helping others. 

In this mad race and mad world, let's show some kindness and empathy to others. 

The world needs more kindness and more kind people.

Ghazala 

My 3 Favourite Hair Care Products

 Hairfall, itchy scalp, frizzy hairs are something we read and hear everywhere.

People of all age groups are facing hair problems these days, reasons are many like improper diet, use of excessive products on hairs which have chemicals, using curling devices, etc.

Post-delivery I am also facing some hair fall issues.

I try to keep my hair and scalp clean by using a mild shampoo ( the ones with less harsh chemicals) 

and Aloe Vera gel to keep the scalp healthy.

In this post, I will share 3 of my favorite hair care products which I found too good :) 

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Conditioner with Keratin & Argan Oil 

This is one of the best conditioners I have used till date.

It's ideal for people having dry and rough hair.

Only coin-sized amount is required to condition the hairs.

One needs to apply this on wet hairs after doing shampoo, leave it on hair for few minutes then wash it off with plenty of water.

It makes hair soft and frizz-free.

Also one can feel an increase in volume.

Hair looks much better than before.

One can check this product at Amazon

Mama Earth Argan hair mask 

With Argan and Avacado oil, this is one of the best hair masks I have used.

One needs to apply it on hair and leave it for an hour and then wash it off with plenty of water and do a mild shampoo.

It nourishes the hair, reduces hair fall, makes hair soft and frizz-free.

One can buy this at Amazon

Evoya Egg Oil 

This helps to reduce hair fall, makes hair soft and silky.

One needs to apply it on hair and leave it for few hours and then do shampoo.

Recommended to use twice or thrice a week.

After using it my hair felt too good, soft and silky :) 

The only thing I didn't like is its strong fragrance

( which eventually goes after shampoo)

One can check it at Amazon

Apart from this regular coconut oil and a good Aloe Vera Gel is always on my list :) 

Ghazala 

Stay Healthy By Eating Talbina

 Talbina is a porridge made from barley flour.

It's a healthy food which is also known as Prophetic food as it was liked and consumed by our beloved  Prophet :)

There are many health benefits of consuming Talbina.

In this post, I will share its method of preparation and its benefits :) 

Method of Preparation

One needs barley flour, some fresh dates, dry fruits, and sugar/honey to prepare Talbina.

Mix one cup of water with one cup milk and let it boil then add two tablespoons of dry barley powder and cook it on low flame for 5-10 minutes till it is cooked and becomes like porridge.

If using sugar as a sweetener then add at this stage, if using honey can be added later.

Then add de-seeded dates and dry fruits of your choice.

And it's ready to serve and eat :) 

The cooking process is very simple and takes hardly 10-15 minutes.

Ready to use barley powder or Talbina mix is available in the market as well on online stores.

I received one from an Instagram store. It's good :) 

Health Benefits of Talbina: 

1. It reduces depression.

2. It relieves stress.

3. It enhances mood.

4. Helps in weight management & weight loss.

5. Helps to maintain blood glucose level so extremely good for a diabetic.

6. Improves Immunity.

It's rich in Vitamin B, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, antioxidants.

Zinc-rich food helps to get better sleep and reduce stress and barley is rich in Zinc.

So it can be called one of the best and healthiest food.

Very easy to prepare in less time, No oils or fat in it. 

One can take a bowl of Talbina for breakfast or dinner. 

Will also help in weight management.

We regularly prepare it at home :) 

Do try it.

Hope you all liked my post and found it useful, share your views in the comment section below.

Ghazala