Easy morning breakfast smoothie recipe
To make this delicious smoothie bowl , you just need
⁃ 1 medium size ripe mango
⁃ 1/2 cup double toned milk
⁃ 1 tbsp Fruit and nut muesli
⁃ 1 tsp pumpkin seeds
⁃ 1 tsp sunflower seeds
⁃ 1/4 chia seeds or flax seeds
Simple yet , wholesome recipe to keep your morning breakfast quick yet yummy to keep your tummy full.
Enjoy 🙂
We are urban animals . In our busy and active lifestyle we do not have time to follow balance diet , rest for sure could read about it. All type of nutrients are important for us to maintain health. Protein is a macronutrient and is very important for growth and repair of our body hence called building blocks of our body. Read more in the images attached below
Well, this blog is not about giving you theory classes on protein rather I will tell you how achieve the expected target of 56 grams of protein per day for men and 46 grams of protein for women. Recently, I was trying to purchase protein bars,- the most popular meal replacement protein rich snack with a convenient source of nutrition. Unfortunately it will cost a lot if you will consume daily . so, I came up with a solution of making Protein Bars at home.
For that we need
Roasted Oats – 1 cup – 45 gm – 215 Cal
Small Dates/Khajur – 5 – 40 gm- 127 Cal
Almonds – 7- 8 gm- 52 Cal
Kaju – 7 – 9 gm – 58 Cal
Unsalted Pistachios – 10 – 7 gm – 44 Cal
Flax Seeds- 1 tbsp., ground- 7 gm-37 Cal
Dried Raisin – 20 – 9 gm – 28 Cal
Peanut Butter – 30 gm – 173 Cal
Honey – 0.5 tbsp – 10 gm – 33 Cal
Take all the ingredients and mix it in a bowl , you can add 2-3 tbsp. of water to bind mixture into a shape. Like I flattened all in a tray to give mixture the shape of bars. After giving shape to the mixture keep that into the refrigerator for an hour and it will be ready to consume.
Hope you all will like it. Try and do tag me #mataktibum . ❤
Sustaining through harsh summer in North India is onerous. For me cutting lemons plus mint leaves and squeezing them , both give an aroma full experience. Personally, I am a huge fan of variety of lemon + mint based drinks but because of Coronavirus Pandemic , Curfew has been implemented in Delhi; So, I can not go out. . So I tried making easy lemon+ mint based drink with Kingfisher Radler . I ended up making a desi mocktail , named it – ” Desi Mojito”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/COdAzbtgJIM/?igshid=5vz9qa91hdln
Still the history and origin of Mojito isn’t discovered or traced. Hence I will mention a story about its origin , which I have heard from my chef friend.
It is said that the mojito was a medicinal drink use of treat disease on the island of Cuba. Mojo is an African word for magic, not boasting but its kind of true.
Desi Radler Mojito
Ingredients
Method
I hope you all must have liked this quick summer drink- Desi Mojito recipe. ❤
(A place to create your own experience)
Twisted path to less crowded nature’s coliseum, done and dusted still yenning for more.
Here’s my story to my recent visit to Landor.
Landor has always been in my heart-list because of Mr. Ruskin Bond. I have grown up reading his books like Cherry Tree, The Blue Umbrella, and The Room of the Roof etc.
I still feel wondrous, the way he visualized the world in all his books. I was on a search trip to Landor to find out Mr. Bond’s inspiration behind all his stories.
My journey to Landor started from Mussoorie Library via picture palace. As being a bipedal, I opted to utilise my yomping stamina to reach Landor. The total distance was 10 km, uphill then 10km downhill.
One can find the right way, from the Y-intersect one-way towards Landor and other way to Picture Palace bus stand and other back to the Mall road.
For sure, it was nerve enfeebling and challenging when it came to uphill section but as being an adventure enthusiast hurdles made my mind to go on cross-dissolve to my previous experience in adventure sports. Hence, I bucked up and indeed it helped me to achieve my goal of seeing Ivy Cottage (Mr. Bond’s residence).
You know, it’s better to opt for walk as its give more scrupulous opportunity to explore the culture and street life of Mussoorie and Landor as it also shows us the way the tourism is expanding and ruining the surroundings.
Simultaneously, our god gifted camera that is eyes can capture and remember a lot when you be on foot. Also, it’s not bad to learn an art of street tactics to avoid world chaos and dubiety also you could use your experience to manoeuvre the art of getting rid of Monkeys because they are serious nuisance here (because of humans as they feed them for fun).
The streets will start narrowing as you start climbing up also the historical aspect will get richer for example you will see old building, markets and natives.
In fact, Clock Tower is also on this way so, do not forget to click this historical edifice.
Finally when I reached Ivy cottage ( Mr. Ruskin Bond’s Cottage) the enthusiasm level had reached super up but unfortunately, on asking one of his care taker I got to know that he is out of town for few days but never mind I just dropped a letter for him. But one thing, I observed is; his all stories have several facts like cherry tree, twisted roads, clouds, soothing breeze hence according to me he sifted his surroundings and nature so well ergo that’s his inspiration.
On climbing ahead, I landed in front of the St. Paul’s Church but unfortunately it was Sunday and prayer session was going on.
Then I chose to see “Char Dukkan”, there I sat in one of the shop, ordered Maggie and tea but what I realized that first Landor itself is just a mountain and a circular path around that covers whole Landor.
Second, people do not have much option here hence these 4 shops are overly hyped and costly. Also, the most important information, one can find toilet just opposite of these 4 shops.
Now, my next sight was “Lal Tibba”, it’s a small place in Landor not just a point. Well, sadly I have to say that it was nothing. It is the highest point of Mussoorie famous for telescopic view of famous peaks like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Baanderpanch etc.
but I Hardly spotted any, moreover this place has few cafes which is painted in red to attract customers and few natives could misguide you saying this café is “Lal Tibba”, also the cafes around have telescope fitted at the roof top.
Horse riding is also an option for those who enjoy it, but I would like to request everyone is, please stop being a callous and do not prefer riding a horse or any animal just for your pleasure. They are treated so badly and been asked to over-work “Just for your fun”.
You know, what I liked the most about Landor surrounding is one could sense halcyon days of this place also its balmy and quite roads
particularly cemetery road was really calm and surrounded with lush greenery. One could find perfect spot for photography and portraits.
Then on completing the whole circle of the mountain I ended up at Kellogg’s Church , from there one can opt to head towards Sister’s Bazaar but I opted to go back because I was super tired to explore that.
On the way back, I was so eager to try out something at Doma’s Inn as internet highly suggested that.
I had ordered veg-thukpa costed around 173 (INR). I really dint like it at all because, stock used was beef stock also flat noodles were not properly cooked.
But yes, this restaurant cum hotel offers great picturesque walls. So, do not forget to capture yourself in this perfect arena.
So, conclusion is do not go and try things as internet suggests. Just go to any place and create your own experience. Well, I liked Landor because of its seclusion from mountain rush and urban chaos. ❤
This blog simply tells you about the 5 food items you should try in Mussoorie with unknown facts about them.
सस्ता , स्वादिष्ट और टिकाऊ
Bhutta /Sweet Corn – As a part of Mussoorie (a Hill Station) exploration, its mandatory that you try “Zea Mays” alias Corn. Though Mussoorie doesn’t not do corn farming hence they get all maize from Dehradun ergo its expensive.
Here you will get corn served in 2 ways – one way is that you can enjoy corn cob cooked on coal flame and the second way is- you can have boiled corn with lemon and lot of masala/spices in it.
Price – 30-50 (INR)
I tried – Corn cob cooked on coal flame
Rating – 6/10
Location – Roadside vendors
Mode of Payment – Cash
FYI- only one variety of corn is edible which is sweet corn. (So, stop saying, boiled corn as sweet corn and corn cob as corn both are sweet corn)
Momos – The smell of momos could be sense everywhere in Mussoorie. The options you will have are of veg and chicken momos , few hawkers also sell paneer momos nowadays.
Though you will have several options but personally I like momos from “The Yummy Bites” which is on the mall road.
Price – 50 (INR ) for veg momos .
I tried- Veg Steamed Momos , Maggie and Tea
Rating – 9/10
Best Place – The Yummy Bites
Mode of Payment – Cash or Paytm
FYI- Momos – Tibetan or Nepalese origin steamed food meant for appetite gratification most of the time served with chili sauce .
Dumplings – Its a chinese wheat based snacks, which could have stuffing or could not have.
Dim Sums- a chinese snack made from any starchy material , and could have any stuffing.
Wonton- Chinese (North) in origin, squarish in shape, fried ,ginger and garlic dominate the taste.
Maggie – You would say, Maggie well it’s common . Yes, it is a common thing on hill station and yes too overpriced but hey! you are in a hill station and having Maggie while eyeing on the Doon valley , isn’t makes this experience little different?
Price – 50 (INR ) for plain maggie .
I tried – Plain Maggie
Rating – 6/10
Best Place – The Yummy Bites ( Have several variety)
Mode of Payment – Cash or Paytm
FYI- Maggie isn’t a snack rather it is high in calories(400 calories per 100 gram).
Bakery items– What I love the most about Mussoorie is that, you could find freshly baked items but yes again overpriced but that’s completely fine because at least you are getting freshly baked items.
Price – Pastry was for Rs. 50 and a set of 4 muffins for Rs.60.
I tried – Pineapple Pastry and Vanilla Cinnamon Muffin
Rating – 8/10
Location – Near Library, Gandhi Chowk ( forgot the name of the cafe)
Mode of Payment – Cash or Paytm
FYI – Bakers journey in Mussoorie started as a part of communal oven i.e. bake-house.
Gulab Jamun/ G-Jam– If you have an extremely sweet tooth then you can go for this option. Having such brown -goldish sweet balls in the evening will give you more happiness. Why I said so, well experience it and then you will get to know and also do let me know.
Price – 20 (INR) per piece
I tried – Gulab Jamun
Location – Picture Palace Road
Mode of Payment – Cash
FYI – its india’s popular sweet dish around the world.
Cherry and Peach– As this area provides best temperature for such exotic fruits to grow . Hence you can find these in abundance.
I tried – both red cherry and peach
Rating – 10/10
Price – cherry – 80 (INR) /Kg and Peach – 80 (INR)/Kg
Location – Buy these items from roadside fruits store.
Mode of Payment – Cash
FYI – Cherries belong to the rose family. ( but it doesn’t look like, right? )
More blogs on the way on my recent visit to “The Queen of Hills – Mussorie” .
#usewastetosave
Recently, my sister got married and as obvious, invites are must to invite guests and relatives at this auspicious ceremony for a joyful and memorable jiff.
What I have seen since my childhood is that, people spend a lot of money to make their children wedding look luxurious and dreamy. As the part of this lavish journey invites have an important role because in our society people judge your status and also they pre-decide the money they will give as a wedding present ; that all depends on the look of the invites. As a result people end up spending hefty amount on useless- invites.
But, here I had wanted to revamp the scenario and use the discarded invites to create new invites. Hence I came up with this idea of recycling invites to a beautiful invitation box. As I was the in-charge of this department, I preferred using digital platforms to send invites and also I used postcard size invites made from plantable paper plus invitation boxes to share the happiness.
My only purpose to write this blog post is to
I was on an unofficial visit to Jharkhand. It’s in my habit now to not be a boredom sack rather I utilize my time to explore the surroundings.
My friends and few my colleagues had said to me that Jharkhand is a, not happening place but here I would like to say opposite of what they said as I was fortunate enough to find a gem in a mine.
Tribal Cultural Center, it is a place which showcase the amalgamation of tribal world in contemporary sphere. One need permission to visit this Center. I was lucky enough to get the permission.
This Cultural Center is a great venture by TATA Steel. This Center helps tribe to showcase their culture and talent by providing platform and resources. The moment I entered the beautiful arena, I experienced something vehement and unique.
Can you believe; to experience the tribal culture in this urban chaos? And that too, when we have studied that their existence and their culture is fading away.
Well, I experienced and witnessed it. I met famous Santhalis, famously known as “Sarpa Santhal Tribe”. Though they have located in several part of India like west-Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha etc. The one I met were from West-Bengal. I had read it that their contribution during the British Regime could not be explained in words and hence still people remember them as the courageous soul. Also got the tag of “The Tribe at Extreme” because of their heroic participation in need.
In Jharkhand, there are total 32 tribes, which have been recognized till now. Most of them are categorized in 4 types on the basis of cultural types.
I noticed, that the tribe is amiable but yes only their male head was allowed to interact to the outsider first and when he will find the interaction safe then only he will allow you to interact further. I find tribal women quite hesitant about the interaction but it was a plus point for me as a woman for the first time because both male and female part was comfortable talking to me.
Sathalis have very unique faces which is common or can say characteristic features of their tribe like dark skinned, wrinkled and stretched skin, thick, curly and black hair. Women wear sari with borders whereas motif in it is most of the time are inspired from Mother Nature like flowers, leaf in fact color of their clothes were also inspired from the beautiful nature. Whereas men matches their bottom attire with of women. Santhali men prefer to wear their traditional clothes like dhoti for all auspicious moments. Santhali Women wear silver anklet. Music was inspired from their residing surrounding, perhaps nature is one of the influencer here hence their dance movement also had kind of patience and dedication in every step. They were vacillating as the branches of trees swing during rainy season. They dance in a particular rhythm and sequence with their musical instrument. The tribe I met was capable of communicating in Hindi, Bengali and also in Santhali. They are also categorized under the settled agriculturists.
The most interesting part was their tribe name i.e. “Sarpa Santhal” which was taken from a musical instrument named Sarpa. The sound of the fixed small copper bells in the instrument was similar to the sound of Rattlesnake void tail. The quad-pod instrument was made of a particular kind of wood. Had 4 strings/nylon rope attached along with bells at the bottom. So, when they used to pull strings up, one could hear the bells in sync.
In my perception, it is important to understand our culture or sub-culture before adapting or understanding any other culture. Do, visit places like this which encourages tribal people to face reality with much confidence. Moreover, it broadens the mind set of our young generation to understand our cultural hierarchy and diversity in perfect manner.
Few points to note
Recently , I ticked a place on my travel wish list which I so wanted to visit and that place is known as Yana Caves. These caves are located in the premise of a small village named Yana in Kumta which is near to Gokarna, Karnataka.
Monsoon is not that great idea to visit this place but even after much of difficulties I managed to reach to the top. Certainly, I am not going to discuss any history related to this place as this blog is more of based on my observation.
I was staying at MG rooms, which is near to Gokarna beach and from there the distance of Yana caves is approx. 55 km. So, I opted for a car rather being a nomad as I had only a day to explore places.
One can also opt for 3-wheeler auto, they will charge around Rs.1500/- per auto for trip to 4-5 places. In an auto only 3 people are allowed. Going from bus is also an option but for that you need to be punctual all the time because bus services here are quite rare.
Things to pack before going to the caves
Trek to Yana Caves
Entering to this is completely free. Reaching to Yana Caves would not be that easy for few because one has to trek for 2km and then have to walk up 200 steps.
I assure you this might seems tiring but believe me the arena will keep you showing a magical show every minute. So, it will take around 1 hour maximum to reach to the top. While trekking few things you need to take care of which I am listing down below.
One more thing, this trek has only one washroom is available there on half way.
Flora and Fauna
If you are fond of seeing variety of plants and small creatures then go ahead. This place is perfect for the exploration. As on the way to the top I met centipede, cat, snake, worms and obviously leeches. This whole forest is full of mosses, ferns, colocasia, berries and several other useful plant or trees. Do not try to eat any one it as it might be poisonous.
On the top
There are 2 hills one is named Bhairaveshwara Shikhara which is 390 ft in height and the Mohini Shikhara which 90ft in height where Shikhara” means “hill. The first one is open for general public whereas I didn’t see any way to Mohini Hill. At the bottom of Bhairaveshwara hill you will see a self-made Shiv Ling which is present in the Gangodbhava Temple.
Way inside to the cave is through the temple, so if you wish to enter the cave one needs to remove his/her footwear . You need to be very careful while stepping up as surface is full of algae ergo it makes it more slippery and no way to cop.
Rest the cave is not that huge, it will just take around 15-20 minutes to see and capture things. Visit to the temple is incomplete if you will not circle around the same through the caves.
Trekking Down
If you want to sip in tea or coffee at the top or at the starting. Then, there you will find only a shop at the top and in the starting. Be little extra careful when trekking down. I unfortunately visited in monsoon which made trek 70% more dangerous. I had taken great care while putting even a step. A walking stick can help which you can get from the mother nature.
Overall, It was a really very unique and nice experience to cross several water streams and being a pebble walker. I indeed suggest all to visit this place to make yourself lost in the natural world for a while.
Extra info-
Sachin – +91-9481204432 ( You can refer my name Shilpa, if needed)
Mentioned number of this person as many of you have asked me to keep sharing the information, contacts which can help them too to make their trips more interesting.
This weekend spent so amazingly well. It was in my wish-list to do “Go karting” with my female bunch. So, I landed up at “F9 Go karting” as I had heard good words about the place so, I desperately wanted to know what all this place has to offer me.
How to reach?
By Metro (Cheapest way)
The nearest metro station is IFFCO chowk , which is on the yellow line towards Huda city. This place is around 1.5-2 km far from the metro station. You can opt for the shared auto,e-rickshaw or can take 3-wheeler. Though the option of cabs are also available from the metro station. Travelling cost would be like Rs.58 (Metro) ,shared auto-10rs/person, e-rickshaw- 20/person and full auto for Rs.50.
This adventurous space had been established in year 2010. Mr.S.K Tyagi is the sole owner of the place. From the outside this place is creatively made using truck chambers.
From inside they have nice track, scraps have been used cleverly to make washrooms.
To make experience better I am listing out best things.
Best Things
I had great conversation with Mr.S.K Tyagi ( owner) , where he shared many information about the place. He is so kind and fun when it comes to the children. He moreover offered us free laps later and also the whole track to get ourselves clicked.
Timings for Go Karting is – 1 pm to 10 pm
So, next time when your heart wants to do something new and different on weekends. Don’t hesitate in experiencing the things you never tried before. Like I tried “Go Karting”.
“Recycling the invitation of joy”
Wedding season always bring happiness, excitement also loads of invitation cards at home. Most of times we end up throwing it whereas few prefer to keep it as it has several divinities drawn on it. To deal with the cluster, I have worked on few amazing DIYs like making “Shagun Envelopes” from wedding cards.
Trust me you can make really beautiful and never seen envelopes . I have made few envelopes from two wedding cards ( see in the pictures ).
In India, These Shagun envelopes are used for giving cash as a shagun means blessings for happy future. Particularly on any auspicious occasion, these lifafas ( Envelopes) are used. Hope you will find this way of using invitation cards interesting.
A wandering damsel 