Every vacation, we all try to dial back using our phones and enjoy wherever we traveled to, be it a favorite city, your hometown or a totally new spot.
The last few weeks, I went home and dialing it back wasn’t as easy as I thought. Somehow, even on vacation, I couldn’t seem to relax, I’m still being tough on my son, and always felt like I needed to be going to the next activity. And then I got hacked. And as anxious as I was that I may lose all my followers or the hacker may do something to my account, I was kind of relieved. I literally couldn’t be on instagram, so I couldn’t post anything on my stories and I couldn’t work on reels, or engagement, etc.
It was almost nice being hacked. It was eye opening. I realized, I don’t know how to be bored. Now, being a mother of two, you don’t have a lot of time to be bored, but you’re always rushing to the next task or doing multiple things at once. And it took being hacked, this trip, and lots of talking to realize that the phone has been making me feel overwhelmed, unable to focus and lacking presence in what’s going on in my day to day.
Now, I understand for some business owners out there, there are no breaks. Social media is how you get your source of income and kudos to you, because honestly it can get pretty exhausting always looking at your phone and make it very difficult to pull away from it when you don’t need to be on it.
I’ve been blessed with the privilege of doing my business for myself and I am beyond grateful for that. But, it has come at a cost.
It has cost my parenting, it has cost being more responsible and resourceful as an individual, and it has cost understanding my own value.
How? How could my phone be doing all of this to me? Because it hasn’t allowed me to just stop. And think. Or stop, and be present. Or stop, and be bored and let my mind wander.
Please understand I am just speaking from my point of view. I’m sharing this because I am an advocate of taking care of yourself. I am an advocate for growth and getting better. And sometimes that means taking time and stepping back from something and really reflecting on what impact it’s made in your life.
So, when it comes to FSK and you all, I am there for you. But, I also need to really train myself in controlling how engaged I can be without feeling like it’s going to take over. And like any new habit, it takes practice and repetition until it’s truly engrained.
Here are some practices I am going to try implementing:
- Not having my phone around during any meal time (breakfast and lunch mainly since dinner I normally don’t)
- Not taking it to every room I go to
- Focusing on posting 3-4 times a week, instead of everyday
- Taking a break from posting on stories at least once a week
- Not looking at my phone right before I sleep (this one will be hard)
I know this is not food or fitness related, but it’s health related since it has to do with mental well-being. I hope this helps you in any way and share to others who may need the reminder to just slow down, and be present.
Guys, a pakora that doesn't need to be fried exists. And it's called a pakora waffle.
For those that don’t know what a pakora is, it’s basically a chickpea fritter with vegetables in it and is a staple appetizer for South Asians, aka Indians and Pakistanis. Usually, it’s deep fried, like any good appetizer. And with the month of Ramadhan (fasting for Muslims all around the world), these will definitely be served. So how do you enjoy them without having them greased up in oil? You waffle them up!
Ingredients
Directions
2 cup chickpea flour
1 2/3 luke warm water
1 bunch spinach chopped (fresh)
1/2 purple onion, thinly sliced
1 small potato, thinly sliced
1 green chili (optional)
1-1.5 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp salt
In a large bowl, add the chickpea flour, spices, and water. Mix well, till smooth.
- Next add spinach, purple onion, and potato and your chili (optional).
- Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
- Next, make sure your waffle maker is hot and ready to go. Using spray oil so the pakora mix doesn’t stick, pour in some of the pakora mixture. Close the waffle maker and open when ready. Remove hot and crispy pakora from the waffle maker and top with chutney and imli (tamarind sauce). *NOTE: If your pakora waffles get soggy, throw them into the toaster oven to crisp them up again!
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Hey guys! Getting 2022 started with a new muffin recipe you must try. You'll be shocked how little sugar is added, yet they're so delicious!
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup WW flour
- 1/4 cup AP flour
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1/4 date syrup
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp vanilla essence
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut shreds
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, add all your wet ingredients: yogurt, eggs, almond milk, date syrup, and vanilla essence.
- Next, add the dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, AP flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and coconut shreds and chocolate chips. Mix well and add into muffin pan.
- Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes. Allow to cool and store in the fridge for 1 week.
