Munni of all Trades

Award winning Lifestyle and Travel Blog by Khushboo Motihar

Random Ramblings

The Optimism Rainbow

I like to believe that I am an optimist but there are times when everything seems so bleak that I can’t even manage to bring a smile on my face. But then I have adopted what I called as the “Optimism Rainbow” to keep the blackness away from my life. What is the optimism rainbow and what exactly does it do?

The Optimism Rainbow is this Munni’s little invention that makes you see everything in a different light. It brings back vibrancy, colour and love into your life and makes it so damn beautiful. J It consists of three simple steps that have helped me change the way I look at the world.
Now, enough of my ramblings, let’s get going. The first step that you must take to introduce the Optimism Rainbow in your life is to make a list of things that you are grateful about. It sounds very clichéd but trust me once you start making the list, you will feel a little a little burst of happiness in your heart which will soon bubble over and spread all over your body! And don’t make this list on a scrap paper when you are in a hurry. Head over to your favourite coffee shop, grab your favourite drink (strictly non- alcoholic!), take some nice stationery along and start writing.
In the second step, you have to bring some cheer in somebody else’s life. Now, the most common question that I get from somebody who is down in the dumps is that why the hell should I cheer somebody up when I am so miserable? Well, because you need to rise above your sour mood and be a stronger person. And trust me, the minute you do something good for somebody else, a small smile will start tugging your lips and your eyes will automatically brighten. J
The third step is #Dare2Stare
Oh yes, you need to #Dare2Stare at your must difficult obstacle and overcome it. You need to look at trouble in the eye and face it head on. 

Did you know that Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital has started a #Dare2Stare with the aim of making people change the way they see the world in general and eye donation in particular. More than 2.5 lakh blind people could benefit from corneal transplants from donated eyes. But there is a serious lack of awareness around eye donation. Data from the Union Health Ministry revealed that more than 50% of eyes donated in 2014 had gone to waste due to infections or delay of collection! It’s time for a change!

This video is another step that they have taken to convey the #Dare2Stare message to millions of people across the globe. I have pledged my eyes for this noble cause. Have you? Do check this website: dare2stare.in 

Image source: http://www.illustrationsource.com/stock/image/48057/woman-and-rainbow/?&results_per_page=1&detail=TRUE&page=8

My First Expert: A Sea of Contradictions!

How do you define an expert? I am sure we can Google up a fancy definition from the Oxford dictionary but I want to know what you truly think. WHO is an expert? Hmm…while you mull over it for a while, let me define my first expert for a.k.a. my Ma.


Well, to be frank I never really knew that she was an expert when I was a little toddler. She was just a lady who would feed me and keep me clothed.


Then as I grew older, that fuzzy image started changing. She would whoop with joy if I would make a few mangled sounds. In fact one day she burst into tears when I said mama. All I wanted was my Teddy Bear; that’s no reason to cry now, is it?


Then years seemed to pass by and I started realizing that there was a special bond between us. We were stuck to each other like glue. Always!



Then as I grew up; my first expert turned into my walking talking encyclopedia. I could ask her any number of questions and she would have an answer. Plus she was also a tape recorder! She could sing and recite poems at the drop of the hat.


When I started growing up more and more and my tiny little legs strengthened, she often doubled up as an Expert Marathon runner.


But alas, like all good things, my image of a goddess mother also came to an end. The minute I hit the growth spurt, she turned into an angry monster!


But alas, like all good things, my image of a goddess mother also came to an end. The minute I hit the growth spurt, she turned into an angry monster!
No matter what I asked her, she would say a big NO!
Can I have ice cream for dinner?
Can I go to the parlour?
Can I have a night out with my friends?
Can I have multiple piercings?
Extra pocket money please?
Yep…for these teeny tiny things…

To me she became a Sea of Contradictions.

You see she wanted me to become independent yet would insist on accompanying me to a market that was just five minutes away.
She wanted me to learn the importance of money but her heart would melt if I would cry for a pair of shoes that I REALLY wanted.
She wanted me to see the world but I was never allowed to go for outstation picnics!
She wanted me to free and independent yet I did not have the freedom to play and run for as long as I wanted.
She did not want to be a disciplinarian but she couldn’t stop herself from being strict.
I would be frustrated with her. I still am! She can drive me nuts. But when I reached the ripe old age of 21 and had to move away from home, I realized that whatever she did, would stem from her fear for keeping me safe and protected. When I was a little girl, she could hold me in my arms and offer me all the protection in the world. As I grew up, she found that her arms were no longer strong enough to hold me and keep me safe. She had to start  doing things she felt would ensure that her little one was doing okay.
At the end of this fairly longish post, all I want to say that for me #MyFirstExpert is
“A loving cuddly being who can get angry at the drop of a hat but her heart melts the minute she sees your eyes swell up with tears. She has the largest heart and the smallest brain in the world sometimes, but whatever she does, it is for your good. And therefore I trust #MyFirstExpert implicitly” Do you?

This post has been written for a contest hosted by Godrej. You can read about them here: http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php

5 Great Gifts for Kids

Shopping for gifts for children can be really stressful especially when you don’t know anything about them. I have faced a lot of situations when I wanted to buy a present for my niece on her birthday and I was completely lost. In the end up, I guiltily gave her a gift voucher so that she can shop for something on her own. 

But after I watched this heart warming video from Flipkart, I just did not have the heart to give her something so impersonal. I wanted to see the same wonder and anticipation in her eyes just like the little girl who was waiting for Steffy. The video was cute and at the same time it touched my heart. It inspired me to amend my ways and spend some time looking for 5 gifts that will delight any child, especially my niece. 

 Skillofun Sewing Toys

Ideal for tots in the age group of 2 to 4 years, the Skillofun Sewing Toy Teddy Bear, among many other available animals ;-), is perfect for both boys and girls. It helps a child develop motor skills and it helps them become creative from a young age itself.
Aah. But you’ve got to make their surround environment amiable to help them harness their creative potentials right! So here you have the…

Earthen Hues Hand Made Sound Zone Branch Name Board 

This is a beautifully handcrafted product that is sure to brighten up any and every child’s room, and mood. It can be used to decorate your child’s personal space, and the best part it is that every kid is sure to adore it. What’s more, it is easy to wash and clean too.
Awright Awright, enough with sharpening their minds. Let’s talk about some comfortable sleeping. But talking of ‘Comfortable’ for children demands some conscientious choosing and decision making. What better can one think of then but for the…

ShopperTree Baby Girl’s Bodysuit Price
This is one pretty little body suit for your princess that will allow her to move freely. I love the bright green that they have used instead of the traditional pink and the material that they have used is perfectly suitable for your little one’s sensitive skin.
They’ve got some amazing night suites for boys as well. Do check them out.
Now, some children love to live in their world of imaginations. Their mind’s eye views the world in ways that the adult mind falls short of. Why not then feed this imaginative energy.
You agree? Then go ahead and buy them one of the…
Scrumdidlyumptious Story Collection 
Books are a child’s best friend and when they are an awesome collection of stories by the master storyteller Roald Dahl himself, then you know that you’ve chosen a winner. What I love about these books is that they have some amazing sketches and the language is simple too. A child will definitely enjoy reading them. 

And for all the Harry Potters, this one is sure to interest the spawning magician in them…
Marvin’s Magic Mind-blowing Magic Price

When I was a kid, all I wanted to be when I grew up was a magician and I am sure many kids today feel the same. Marvin’s Mind blowing magic set has over 100 tricks that will keep your child enthralled for a long long time. Let your child wear a gorgeous cape and wow the world with abracadabra! Or Expecto Patronum! Maybe 🙂
We certainly do not have magic wands to fulfill every little wish of our lil’ ones. But the Wish Master with his big tummy and his little angels certainly does. So what are you waiting for? It is time to ensure that #EveryWishFulfilled
These were my picks from http://www.flipkart.com/ but they have a lot more choice to make from. Do check them out.

We are turning 2 giveaway with Ekam

Hello everybody,
I am sure you must have seen my latest post on Facebook where I had announced a giveaway. Well, here are the details for you. 🙂


The Prizes!

2 winners will receive a gift voucher worth Rs. 500 each

How can you participate?
Mandatory entries:
Like our sponsor’s Facebook page 
 https://www.facebook.com/iluvekam
Follow our sponsor’s Twitter Page https://twitter.com/ekamonline
Like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Munniofalltrades/203255836495582
Share the giveaway picture tagging 5 friends as many times as you like

Optional entries

Follow me on GFC
Leave comments on a post of your choice
Rules
 Once you have followed all the steps, please leave a comment below

Health benefits of Alkaline Water

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to talk about an important topic which is usually ignored by all of us. I am going to discuss the benefits of drinking alkaline water. Now a legitimate question that may arise in your mind would be why should I drink ionized alkaline water? Is my regular water not good enough?

To be frank, no. Your regular tap water, even after undergoing purification contains acidic PH which can lead to something called as Oxidation Reduction Potential. This basically means that over a period of time your body becomes more and more acidic and this can lead to health problems like tiredness, headaches, constipation and even severe diseases like cancer and arthritis. In fact when purified water comes in contact with the air, it starts absorbing carbon dioxide which leads to the acidity in water. Be it bottled water, distilled water, or Reverse Osmosis water; all of them contain high PH acid levels. It is said that Reverse Osmosis water is the purest form of water. That is one hundred percent true but what experts fail to reveal is that reverse osmosis often strips the water of essential elements that the body needs to survive.

So what are the benefits of alkaline ionized water?
We all must have studied in school that 70 percent of our body is made up of water and thus without water we cannot exist. Now water has a lot of functions in our body. From hydrating our cells and tissues to ensuring that essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium reach our body continually. It also ensures that it our body is protected from free radicals that speed up the ageing process. Besides this alkaline ionized water has numerous benefits like:
Provides the body with essential minerals
Helps you sleep better
Improves your concentration level
Improves oxygen levels in your body and makes you feel full of energy
Improves your stamina
Strengthened bones
Strengthens your immune system…
These are just few benefits that I have listed out for you. In reality, this list is endless.
If you are still not convinced, let me give some evidence from scientific research. In 1970’s itself scientists started realizing the problems of drinking purified water regularly. It was believed that purified water was good for only short term detoxification of the body. In the long run, it would have numerous harmful effects as mentioned earlier. In a study conducted in 2001 it was found that one a person drank alkaline water for 3 to 6 months, one could see that he had lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels as compared to people who did not.
Dr Otto H. Warburg, who won the Nobel Prize for his extensive research on cancer said,“All normal cells have an absolute requirement for oxygen, but cancer cells can live without oxygen – a rule without exception.” … “Deprive a cell 35% of its oxygen for 48 hours and it may become cancerous.”
 
This means that the acidic state of the body is the main reason why cancerous cells start forming. He also discovered that in the presence of alkaline state, the cancerous body cells cannot survive. This means that by drinking alkaline water you can help prevent cancer.
 How can I get alkaline ionized water for my family?
Currently in India, we have an innovative alkaline water ionizer called Hydro- Jal Plus. It is India’s most affordable and advanced water ionizer that will give you healthy alkaline water. It is compact and you wouldn’t have any problem installing it in your kitchen and it looks very stylish, too.

I hope I was able to convey the importance of drinking alkaline water to you and that you will take the necessary steps to keep your family happy and healthy. Hydro-jal Plus offers free demonstration at the comfort of your home and its experts also will come to your house to check the acid levels in your regular water. Do avail of this service to understand whether your water is really pure. For more information, do visit: http://hydrojalplus.com