Healthy Eats with Saffola Fittify

When you are a mom, there is no escaping the fact that you have to keep upgrading your culinary skills. For our own sake, we also need to think of healthy dishes that looks attractive, takes minimum effort and can be made quickly. 

For me, when my kids are back from school is the time, I need to be ready with something they like. So yesterday, I prepared a salad  and some toasts. Nothing new in these but there were some magic ingredients in both these items which increased the flavour and my kids had a good time having them.

Let me share how easy and quick it was to prepare these.

The salad had all essential and healthy veggies and nuts. I added boiled corn, pomegranate, cucumber, carrots, fine chopped lettuce and nuts like  sliced cashews, pistachios and roasted sesame. You can even add a handful of cooked pasta to make the salad interesting. Will be widely appreciated by the kids too! The final dressing was done using a spoonful of the magic ingredient Saffola Fittify Extra Virgin Olive oil. 

Let me tell you about certain features and benefits of Extra virgin Olive oil from Saffola

Saffola Aura Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a premium edible oil, imported from Spain. It is rich in anti oxidants and unsaturated fatty acids.  It has a rich and flavourful taste that beautifully compliments your dish. 

This oil is a recent launch by the premium group of oil manufacturers and hence one can be assured of its quality. Prices are competitive and for best deals you can always buy from  Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket and the like. The shelf life offered is 18 months which i felt could have been better since this oil is mainly used in salads and dips, it tends to be used less. In such cases you can opt to buy the oil of a lesser capacity. 

 Overall I liked the taste and the richness it adds to the dish.

Vegan Peanut Butter, another item from Saffola Fittify is a super food. Saffola Fittify Peanut Butter is made from finest quality of peanuts and is powered with the goodness of high protein and fiber. Indulge yourself in rich & delicious taste with every scoop of peanut butter.

There are no artificial flavour, colour or preservatives added to this. They can be added to your shakes or can be consumed as energy balls. I chose to smear it generously on toasts and serve my kids a delicious healthy evening snack.

You may wonder what makes Saffola Fittify Different?

Saffola Fittify is a health and fitness brand that is nutritionist-recommended with your everyday food in healthier alternatives. It has come up with products that are made with the best ingredients. These products are infused with vitamins and minerals that make them the healthiest choice to improve your, and your family’s health and well-being.

I recommend these healthy options and would urge you to try these products and verify their goodness.

Wellness with Pure Sense

As we hustle through our every day life our health and well being sometimes takes a backseat but this year, I  have made the conscious decision to choose products wisely and one that help us relax and rejuvenate.

Our wellness should be our priority isn't it? Today, am going to talk about hair care and skin care products from Pure Sense. 

Recently, i tried Macadamia deep nourishing hair cleanser and Grapefruit revitalising hair conditioner. 

Enriched with macadamia nut oil and packed with the goodness of Vitamin  E and B5, this shampoo has a creamy texture and a very mild fragrance. It does not foam on application but leaves the hair soft after wash nonetheless. The hair cleanser is paraben and sulphate free.

 I followed the hair wash with an eco certified Grapefruit conditioner on the hair tips. Helps to give a silky touch and shine to the dull hair. The fruity fragrance really uplifts your mood. It is packed with hydrolysed rice protein that also helps controls frizzy hair.

Application friendly, you only have to pump out a coin sized amount of these hair products to cleanse and relax.

If you ever want a spa like feel at home, try Pure Sense Grapefruit shower gel. It is recommended for all types of skin. A luxuriously unique cleansing gel that cleanses your skin gently without stripping its moisture. It has a nourishing formula that pampers your skin by satiating its quench for thirst.

The next product on the pamper list is a Macadamia 3 in 1 face mask, scrub and cleanser. Multi functional, it has a slight grainy texture that is useful in scrubbing the grime away and buff away dead skin cells. Apply gently on the face, scrub and after a little while, wash it away.

Packed with Capric Triglyceride, this unique Face Mask, Scrub and Cleanser, hydrates and makes your skin supple. Loaded with Kaolin, this pure formulation gently exfoliates, cleans pores, as well as prevents breakouts.

It doesn't dry your skin. In fact leaves your skin looking bright.

I truly felt that these products from Pure Sense are the  perfect companion that inspires you to harmonise with your mind & soul. Their wellbeing spa range, self-loving skincare range, and the mood-boosting haircare range, make your every day better!

 

Lotus Botanicals skin care products

This post is specially for all my girl friends or those men who want to make their women feel special !

I have been using certain products of Lotus Botanicals since sometime now and thought I shall share my views about it with all of you. The reason being, we are nearing Christmas and New year and this is that time of the year when we gift our near and dear ones. This year am going to gift my girl gang with  amazing products from Lotus Botanicals.

 

Let me first introduce you to their brand.

Brand Story: “Our wellness cannot come at the cost of nature.” Lotus Botanicals was born keeping this very truth in mind. The mission is to find beauty secrets that creates a perfect balance between humans and our planet and between science and nature.

Lotus Botanicals embodies all things pure, balanced, and botanical.  They believe that true beauty lies in creating a harmonious balance between nature and science.  Between what we take and what we give. Between looking good and doing good.

The six key feature that pulled me towards the brand was

1.       Certified safe cosmetics

2.       Pure plant power

3.       Ethical beauty

4.       No preservative

5.       No toxic chemicals

6.       Unique time-tested formulas

 I have used their combo pack for skin care that consists of

Bio-retinol youth radiance face wash

Bio-retinol youth radiance ultra-crème

Bio-retinol youth radiance sleeping mask

Bio-retinol anti-ageing combo

Yes, ageing is a natural process but at the same time maintaining our skin as it goes through the various stages in our life is also essential.

The search for youthful skin ends here with Bio Retinol. One of the most talked-about, amazing skincare ingredients that have created a storm in the SkinCeuticals industry is Bio-Retinol. This plant-based ingredient, also known as Bakuchiol, is a stable, safe, plant-based alternative for all kinds of retinoids to tackle issues like acne, dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Bakuchiol or Bio Retinol is a tropical plant used even in Ayurveda times. But due to the increased awareness about the goodness of retinol for a skincare routine, you can now get amazing skincare products that contain Bio-Retinol as one of their star ingredients. 

Lotus Botanicals now offers you a range of Bio-Retinol products with the goodness of Bakuchiol. Bakuchiol has proven to have multiple anti-skin ageing effects like decreasing fine lines, boosting collagen growth, etc. 

Bio-Retinol Youth Radiance Ultra Crème helps with skin renewal and boosts collagen production. The creme’s formulation helps restore skin, giving it more clarity and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It revives the skin to become healthy and gives you a youthful state. Bio Retinol works best when applied at night. Usually, Bio-Retinol is a powerful active ingredient. Also, it makes your skin photosensitive. So, bio-retinol works best when you apply it at night. Try Bio-Retinol Youth Radiance Sleeping Mask, which increases skin cell turnover that helps with skin regeneration.

 

Also, the Bio Retinol sleeping mask also locks moisture, making your skin supple and smooth. This Bio Retinol Youth Radiance Sleeping mask is non-comedogenic, making it perfect for sensitive skin and skin prone to acne breakouts. You apply this mask at night and get youthful-looking skin in the morning! 

Also, you can start your morning with our Bio-Retinol Youth Radiance Face Wash which not only cleans the dirt off your skin but is a lightweight formula that also targets various ageing symptoms like fine lines and crow’s feet. 

My experience: Every morning, I use the face wash which has a mild fragrance and leaves your skin fresh and ready to face the day. 

The Ultra day and night creme certainly softens and nourishes the skin and regular usage I feel is effective in making the skin breathe well and make it feel youthful.

 

Another product that I would like to recommend from their range is

Ubtan De tan face and body mask

Traditionally we Indians have always used ubtans. Now, get a glowing skin with Lotus Botanicals Ubtan De-Tan Radiance Face & Body Powder Mask infused with 24k gold. It is made with natural ingredients like turmeric, chickpea flour and sandalwood. It gently exfoliates the skin giving a healthy glow. If you spend hours outside, it helps in de tanning and brightens dull skin.

My experience: our daadi naani k nuskhe for a clear skin always recommended scrubbing our skin with chickpea, turmeric and to top it with  sandalwood for a cooling effect. That's exactly how I felt about this ubtan from Lotus Botanicals. Mildly scented, easily mixes with water and gets absorbed fast.

Currently I apply the ubtan twice a week.

Hope this article on the skin care products from Lotus Botanicals helps you in making the right decision and choosing products fit for you. We shall come up with more such informative posts in future. Till then, ciao.

Bidding Farewell to 2022 and looking forward to a grand entry into 2023 !!!

How to create warm vibes at home this winter

December is here and so is winter! At my place in Bangalore, by 4 pm the chill starts setting in and eventually evenings become dull, dark and cold.

How do we then beat this weather? By bringing in some warmth to our decor.

Some tips to add coziness is thru textiles. Warm colours in furnishings like cushions, curtains, throws, rugs etc; works well during winters.

Have light curtains so that maximum light can filter into our homes.

Ensure you have a carpet or a dhurrie beneath your feet. 

Another way to introduce warmth in your decor is thru candles. Light them to set the mood for a calm and relaxed evening. 

I have captured some moments that makes my home feel warm and cosy. Hope you all like it too...

 

Colours like red, orange automatically add comfort and snugness which is so much required during cold times.

Another DIY arrangement with bangles to act as T light holders. Not only these little arrangements spruce up your spaces but add an element of friendliness .

This season began for me with soy wax candles from Boddhi Naturals

Soy Wax is non-toxic and cleaner-burning, being made with no toxins, carcinogens, or pollutants which means these candles are less likely to trigger allergies. As a vegetable-based wax, it does not give off any harmful byproducts or produces black soot that can stain walls and curtains like the other leading waxes.

You can enjoy these  handmade candles for a longer burning time too! 

 

These are some of my ways to beat the winters and feel cosy and warm always.

Wishing you all, the best, for the month of December and then we see a new dawn and a brand  new year!

Till then take care and keep smiling😊🤗

How to create a Diwali ready home

Diwali ready home is your everyday space with an extra dose of festive touch! It need not be something that is extravagant and burns a hole in your pocket.

For me, what works best is addition of flowers and lights, change of cushions, fresh bed linen and curtains. Having a clean home is anyway something that everyone aims for before the onset of Deepavali. By the way, if you haven't seen my last post on cleaning and tackling kitchen grime and dirt, do it here.

So, basically create corners in your home with love and warmth. How? Okay, look at these images below to gather some styling tips.

These are various setting created in my living room. Just a combination of elements that sends a happy vibe around your home. 

Styling tip

Colours are a big factor in home decor. How you may ask. Now, scroll to the first image. When I keep a plant on the centre table, I make sure the colour of the runner on the sofa or some other fabric is colour Coordinated.

For instance, the second setting, where in I have placed a cut work white mat on the table plus the plant and red rose petals, the cushion too is white, green and red combo.

The last setting has brass and zardosi cushions as part of the decor and both of these have a classic and ever lasting style. So, do you get the drift of how I plan my decor at home ?

Please do let me know, if you find this post useful or have any queries. I shall be most glad to answer them.

Have an enjoyable week ahead to Diwali. Do not forget to visit my instagram page for regular updates. 😊💕

To a clean & sparkling Diwali

The most awaited time, Diwali, the festival of lights is celebrated across the country with much pomp and show. The young and the old, friends and family all come together on this happy occasion to indulge in fun & frolic, lip smacking food to well decorated spaces to enjoy the festive fervour dressed in their traditional best.

And a good 10 days before the actual D Day, we start preparing our homes for the festivity ahead. Declutter becomes the mantra, everyone loves to talk about! All traditional decorations like brassware, silver, diya are taken out. Cleaned, polished and various corners of our homes are brightened up with flowers and the like. The mandir or the pooja room becomes the epicentre of activity. New torans are hung. Attractive rangolis are made. Amidst all this, cleaning the entire home and especially the kitchen is a ritual most religiously followed. Afterall, the kitchen is the heart of every home.

Cleaning the gas stove, chimney, backsplash used to give me nightmares, what with all the dirt and grime accumulation. It felt like a test of my muscle power. But not anymore! Let me share with you a cleaning product that makes my ‘Diwali ki safai’ so much easy!

The product in focus here is CIF. It helps to clean tough stains like the grease from our cooking and grime accumulation, leaving surfaces shine like new!

Today, I got down to cleaning my gas stove and the wall behind. The images below stand a testimony to how easy the whole process was.

BEFORE:

Notice the stains on the gas stove, burners and the grease on the wall. Well, now I have CIF to my rescue.

 

With CIF cleaner it is just 3 easy steps to a clean gas stove.

1.       Apply on a damp cloth

2.       Wipe over

3.       Rinse away

Taking a damp kitchen napkin, I applied CIF on it, wiped the gas burners, also applied on the wall and left it for a few minutes. Then you just rinse and wipe with a fresh napkin and lo! you have a clean and sparkling surface.

 New Cif Cream Lemon, with its fresh citrus scent, is packed with millions of natural cleaning particles. This multi-purpose surface cleaner removes 100% of tough dirt for a beautifully clean finish on a range of surfaces. It can be used as a kitchen cleaner to clean hobs, sinks, and kitchen tiles, as well as a bathroom cleaner to clean bathtubs, sinks, and bathroom tiles.

All you’ll need is a tiny squirt to completely remove all kinds of ugly dirt - even those that seem impossible to clean such as encrusted grease and dirty marks from walls.

AFTER:

 

Well, you sure can see me smiling, can’t you? The satisfaction of a clean kitchen is beyond words. So #Don’tJustCleanIt,CifIt

The Diwali vibe

How do you create the vibe of any festival at home? Rituals and food to a large extent help us, no doubt. But certain decorative elements are synonymous with festivals and as we all know Diwali is nothing without lamps!!! So, just get on with it.

All kinds of lamps, big or small, brass, silver, metal and our mitti k diye...sab ko chance do!!

It will be an absolute visual treat to see your home well lit on this auspicious day.

Sharing with you many such arrangements from our home from the years gone by.

A simple arrangement on our side table with a peacock lamp inside a uruli and flowers.

This one with silverware. Please, do not keep your silverware locked inside the safety of your locker.  Use them atleast on special occasions.  The fragrance of rajnigandha and the light from the lamps create an interesting tablescape.

Now for some more ...

Just plain T lights, flowers and rangoli...

Mitti k diye as a table centerpiece 

Table arrangement 

Pooja room 

At the entrance 

Candle with food laid on the table is perfect Diwali set up

Now, I leave it upto you to tell me, which one you find the most attractive or the one that screams Diwali.🙃

Shall soon share this year's Diwali decor with you. Till then scroll through my instagram feed here.

www.instagram.com/sajavatdecorblog