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Complete Maternity Clothing Shopping Guide - Work & Leisure

During my whole pregnancy, I was the most excited and restless to see my baby. I was one step closer to motherhood. As delightful as the thought of being a mother is, taking care of ourselves during our pregnancy is very important for us as well as your little one.

It wasn’t my first pregnancy but I was still stumped while shopping for my maternity clothing and essentials. All I knew was that I had to pamper myself with comfort and ease. I figured that a few basic purchases would do the trick! So, I read books right from parenting for dummies to parenting toddlers. This article will act as a guide to stay focused on what you purchase without buying too much.

Style Your Bump

I loved to flatter my bump with anything I wore. Simple, large t-shirts were my go-to for everyday use and I’d pair it with maternity jeans which are super comfortable and stretchy. This combination is heavenly! A little lovely dress that would stretch around your bump would make for cute date night wear. Maternity stores would have clothes according to different maternity sizes. It might be difficult to understand the sizing of maternity clothes, so my hack for it (considering how many times I’ve repeated the word in this one paragraph) is to buy stretchy clothes. Whatever clothes you buy, make sure the material is stretchy. Your choice would also depend on seasons- if you’re pregnant during the winter, stock up on sweaters, jackets and woolly socks.  Summers call for tank tops and maxi dresses.

Pamper Your Body

Ladies, our body will change as days pass. I used to have extreme foot pains and someone suggested I take better care of my feet. Foot masks and foot creams are magical- you wouldn’t believe the instant relief I used to get and the forty winks after. Stretch marks cream will also be your best friend along the way. Get some soothing oil to massage your body where it itches or aches. These are the essentials- you really don’t need to buy the huge list that fussy parenting books for moms sometimes list.

My Amazon Picks

Motherhood Maternity Women's Maternity Indigo …

$24.48$34.98 (115)

Hybrid & Company Super Comfy Stretch Women's M…

$23.99 (138)

Biotone Dual Purpose Massage Creame 36 oz.…

$44.75 (41)

PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, U-Shape Full Body Pillow…

$29.95 (2192)All

Ads by Amazon

Other Maternity Essentials

Maternity belts that support your bump towards the end of pregnancy were a godsend. It was like sharing the weight of my bump with someone else which I was totally down for- the back pain was too much to handle. They’re adjustable too so you can fix them according to the size of your bump as you advance into the later stages of your pregnancy.

Body pillows are useful too. You can perfectly cradle the pillow to ease your back pain and relieve pain points. Other items that will make your pregnancy a lot easier are comfortable shoes, hot oil massages and clothing suited to the season.

Pregnancy isn’t that easy, definitely isn’t a cakewalk, but getting the right maternity essentials will make things so much easier. I’m rooting for you!

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Top 10 Best Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day - Work & Leisure

All these years, Mother’s Day was only about my mother! So, all I did was wish her a Happy Mother’s Day with a gift and I was done!

But here I am, feeling a little different this time.

You may ask why; is it because a month back I witnessed my wife deliver my little one or is it because I have simply matured overnight? None of the two! Definitely not the second one!

Yes, watching my wife deliver my little boy was quite an experience, but I can tell you this, motherhood is not just about giving birth or bringing a new life into this world! That’s special, no doubt! But there is more to it than that!

Motherhood is about embarking on a never-ending journey of giving every bit of you to this new life; it is about making a life-long promise to always put this little life before you!

I always thought that what we men do is equally taxing! But of course, I was kidding myself!

What I do allows me to step out of the house, talk to people, go on breaks, enhance my professional skills, even socialize occasionally, and have the satisfaction of getting paid for it!

But think about the stay-at-home moms! Here I am in awe of those women who sacrifice their education and their chance at professional excellence to address a cycle of cry, poop, eat, sleep and repeat!

And of course, hats off to those moms who work relentlessly to balance their careers and home! So this Mother’s Day, let’s make these women in our lives feel extra special!

Here is my list of best gift ideas for Mother’s Day!

If the women in your life love art and craft, consider giving them a handmade gift. It could be a piece of jewelry, home decor or hand made beauty & spa gift box.

If you consider the women in your life to be unique then gift them something quirky and unique like a personalized ring, necklace, bracelet or even a key-chain.

To tell the women in your life how timeless their beauty is, gift them a bejeweled watch.

Personalized photo gifts with a personalized card is always a hit among mothers as it allows them to cherish special moments.

Flowers and chocolates are my all time favorite gift options for women. It always brings out their radiant best!

If your lady loves clothes, then gift her a beautiful dress that not only accentuates her figure but also compliments her personality.

If gadgets are her weakness, then buy her the latest phone, smartwatch, headphones or speakers. Women seem to love the Bose Noise Masking Sleep Buds for sound sleep.

A good perfume that suits her personality and adds to her collection is also a great Mother’s Day gift idea.

A chic handbag or a stylish shoe may also make her happy.

Or just give her a gift card and let her spend the day shopping and pampering herself!

Check out these options from Amazon for some great ideas customized for this event Mothers Day Guide and Mothers Day Gift Shop

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Know The Tips for How To Take care of Crying Baby - Work & Leisure

Like all things baby, we ended up giving a cute nickname to a relatively distressing phenomenon in our parenting life- colic, or should I say ‘Colic the Monster’?

For stressed-out dads like me, colic is when your otherwise healthy champ is bawling his eyes out for more than 3 hours a day and 3 days in a week. It started as little crying fits, and we weren’t fussed about it because babies love to cry, right? So, we soothed our colicky baby and generally displayed our ‘A’ parenting skills but it got worse. Soon he was crying for most of the day and we were exhausted.

Benefits Of Tummy Time

One day we discovered ‘tummy time’. In non-cutesy terms, it means letting your baby lie on their stomach instead of their back as usual. Tummy time helps to strengthen your baby’s head and neck, as well as gives them upper body strength. He or she won’t be thrilled about it but persevere because tummy time also prevents your baby from getting a flat head.

Tummy time for colic is a savior. Letting our colicky baby lie on his tummy helped to release all that pent-up gas (which was great for him but not so fun for me if you get my drift ;-)).

When Did It All Begin?

We started tummy time when our son was in his colicky phase, but you can begin sometime soon after birth. It’s good to start with a 1-2-minute lay-down on your lap which you can gradually increase to 5 minutes on a mat or the floor.

Tips for colicky babies– do tummy time after your baby is fed and his nappy changed so you can take advantage of their happy mood and interest in life. They resist at first but rocking them gently, or to a tune if you’re like me, might help.

Tummy Time Tricks To Suit My Baby

We figured out which tummy time tricks suited our little guy. Cue the funny names. If you thought ‘Colic the Monster’ was amusing, you’re going to get a kick out of this one:

Baseball bat hold tummy time: This trick helped relieve gas build-up and make my little boy less colicky than he was.

Tummy time on daddy’s tummy: Ah yes, one of my favorite tricks because it allows me to keep him close and inhale all the baby smells. As he lays on my tummy, I massage his foot, his hands and entertain him while also tackling the colic.

Tummy time on daddy’s lap: Also one of my favorites. I keep my son on his tummy on my lap and sit like that until he’s happy.

Tummy time by propping on the pillow: As he grows older, we will let him lay on his tummy on a pillow instead of our laps or bellies. As always, we will keep a watchful eye on him for safety (and in case of superhuman powers, but nothing yet)!

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Blogs & Tips For Post Pregnancy Weight Loss - Work & Leisure

I read this funny quote somewhere and could totally relate to it: ‘Everyone leave me alone. I have had a busy day being pregnant and need to do it tomorrow again.’ That’s exactly how I felt throughout my second pregnancy. Eating and peeing all day long is not so much fun, definitely not the second time round. And like that’s not enough, there are a plethora of things to deal with post-pregnancy, one of them being pregnancy weight.

Now, if you are a breastfeeding mom who has healthy food habits, you have nothing to worry about. You will lose all that weight in a year. But moms like me who don’t breastfeed (have some health issues) take like forever to lose the extra pounds and sometimes just get stuck with it.  

Now, getting stuck is not my type

So I enrolled myself under the supervision of a nutritionist and trainer, Swapnali Bansode, on fittr and have started my weight loss journey.

Fittr, a partner of the popular Facebook group SQUATS, advocates quantified nutrition along with resistance weight training. No cardio, yay!

The other thing I like about this process is the freedom to eat everything but in measured quantity or macros. Complicated? Not so much as you start getting used to it.

Day 1 of Quantified Diet and Workout

Here’s how my stats look like on day 1:

Weight                        153 lbs/68 Kgs

Waist                          36 inches

Hips                            45 inches

Tighs                           21 inches

Arms                           12.5 inches

These are all the areas that I will be working on with the help of my trainer.

Diet

For breakfast I had spinach scrambled egg with a cup of milk tea without sugar.

For lunch I had rice (quantified) with vegetable dal and paneer tikka and repeated the same for dinner. And for evening snacks I was suppose to have 1 scoop of whey protein but instead I had 3 dates, few walnuts and a cube of cheese (not yet approved by my trainer).

Now all these have been measured before cooking. The measurements given to me is based on my BMI, health issues and my weight-loss goal.

Note:The measurements and the diet itself differs from person to person based on individual BMI and health status. Hence, will avoid sharing the exact quantity.

Workout

My trainer believes that the walking and running that we do between home and office is enough cardio for a person so repeating the same in the gym is not necessary. Instead strengthening core muscles by working on upper and lower body gives better and long-lasting results.

My day 1 workout focused on my upper body! I started with the basic warm up and then followed the workout chart below:

Day 1 ,Day 3 and Day 5- Upper Body

Bench Press                            3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Dumbbell Barbell Row             3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Preacher Curl                          3 sets- 10 -15 reps

Dumbbell pullovers                  3 sets- 10 -15 reps

Military Press                           3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Side Lateral Raise                   3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Dumbbell Bicep Curls              3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Cable Triceps Extensions        3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

At the end of my workout, I am also suppose to do Cat and Camel pose, Pelvic Tilt and Lower Back Extension (3 sets-10 reps for all). These are mat exercises and I missed them on the first day but I do plan to incorporate them in the future!

Day 1 was as smooth as it could get! Wait for my day 2 update! Catch ya soon!

Note: Workout too has been designed based on my weight loss goal. Also, the weight allotted to me are lighter as I had a c-section delivery. Workout too may differ from person to person. Consult a trainer for better and perfect results!

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Experience of Maternity And Paternity Leave Phase - Work & Leisure

Part 1- Maternity and Paternity Leave Phase

You start believing in miracles when they befall upon you after years of yearning; yes, I had been secretly longing to embrace motherhood for the 2nd time for many years but it happened when I least expected it!

Miracle he is, my 2nd born, who helped me beat my apprehensions and race my way up to the pinnacle of happiness! Today he bundles his little contended self up on my lap and smiles with his eyes closed! At that priceless moment, I know that life can’t be more perfect than this! Everything is different this time. My partner and I are more matured and more prepared than we were 10 years back and we have all the time in the world for both our boys. We are away from our extended family but closer to one another, the four of us! Life is simple and blissful with no set routine yet it feels more complete than ever before!

Mornings

Waking up every 3 hours in the night feels facile when your partner rouses you up in the morning with a hot cup of tea and warm breakfast! While this itself is the newest thing in our 12 years of marriage, something else that’s new is us sitting placidly, welcoming the warmth of the morning sun and making those aimless small talks that we haven’t made for the last decade.

Noons

Cooking together on weekends after a tiring week of work feels so make-believe after what I am living now! My partner as the head chef and I as his helper, create a new and delectable entree everyday! We then plater it, like we would do only when we have guests come over, and wait for our elder son to arrive! Eating every single meal together with the older one narrating tall tales of his increasing popularity amongst his friends at school has become a happy custom!

Evenings

Half sprinting, half walking around a still and beautiful lake with both the boys by our sides, we make the best of every evening! After sweating it out for an hour, we retire at a coffee shop nearby. While our elder son stuffs his mouth with muffins and chips and our little one sleeps peacefully in his stroller, we take small drags at our drinks making tall future plans. A new evening, a new plan! And though this seems to be going in a loop every single day, it is not wearing! Because right now all we care about is making conversation, and lots and lots of it, something that we have not had the time for, in the past!

In these two months, what I have realized is, when inflated plans are made for the sake of gossip, when evening walks are meant for leisure and not to achieve fitness goals, and fancy meals are cooked each day to amuse oneself, life is happening.

Sooner than later, we will once again join everyone in the mad race for survival, but until then, all I want is to lose myself in these magical moments!

P.S: Part 2 of the blog to be released in a few months once we are both back at work ;-)

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Newborn Baby Necessary Shopping List- Work & Leisure

It feels like yesterday when my wife came up to me and showed a double line on the pregnancy home kit test. What started off by noting down the basic things to buy on a piece of paper- this later turned into a full-blown newborn checklist. Thus, we started charting out things that will be required at the hospital and at home when my newborn arrives. To help out all you newborn fathers and save you the trouble of poring over parenting guides page-by-page, I am listing down a couple of newborn essentials along with things that can wait. Read on and thank me later!

Dressing Your Newborn

My wife and I bought clothes which are comfortable, trendy and suited the weather. Dress your newborn in the same layers of clothes you wear, plus one. Babies dressed in too many layers might be at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Owing to the weather here, I opted for fleeced full onesies which cover my little boy’s hands and feet. You can go for cotton onesies with mittens and socks and maybe add a soft cotton cap when you’re taking your newborn out for a stroll. Swaddle your baby in a muslin or cotton cloth. There are some great options available on Amazon. aden + anais swaddle clothes happen to be our favorite. These pure cotton swaddle clothes are very soft and comfortable. Check them out on adenandanais.com

Newborn Skin Care

Newborn babies have very sensitive skin which is thin and prone to irritation. Diapers should be changed every 3 hours or when soiled.

For newborn skincare essentials, the following are a must have:

Cleanser:  A 100% soap free cleanser that is delicate on your newborn baby’s skin is what I recommend.

Shampoo: A tear-free shampoo is always the best option because babies have sensitive eyes.

Diaper Cream: My wife and I made sure to use a diaper cream before every diaper change. You can also opt for petroleum jelly.

Wipes: Go for organic alcohol-free and odor-free wipes.

Moisturizer: I made sure to moisturize my sonny’s skin daily, baby moisturizers and organic coconut oil (before bathing) are a good option.

Laundry detergent: Fragrance-free liquid rinses are the best for babies.

Other Accessories

Listed are some must-have accessories that I highly recommend for your newborn kit:

Nursing Pillow: It is a blessing in disguise. It prevented my wife from getting muscle cramps.

Breast Pump: It becomes extremely taxing for the mother to feed the baby constantly. My wife used it to pump out her breast milk so that I could feed the baby alternatively.

Bottles: Choose the feeding bottle wisely, the nipples should match your newborn’s age.

Infant Car Seat: For safe and comfortable car rides with your baby in tow, a car seat is a must-have. In the USA you cannot bring your baby home from the hospital until you have installed an infant car seat. Therefore take your time to select a safe and comfortable car seat for your newborn (psst- we’ve even written an extensive post on this!)

Dot-a-tot:  It is a mini bed with sides that can be placed next to you on the bed for co-sleeping with your little one without the risk of choking him/her. While we did think of buying a bassinet but this one did the trick. Remember babies outgrow a bassinet and dot-a-tot once they are about 4 months old. Hence, invest wisely!

Baby Lounger: While baby lounger may sound like a luxury, but it’s not. It is a comfortable seating option for the babies and can be placed on the sofa or anywhere next to you while you are watching TV or working. My little one enjoyed sitting on it from day one. It was a gift and we completely cherish it.

Diaper Genie: The first genie I encountered in real life that not only swallowed my sonny’s diapers but also the nasty poop smell. This genie is a life saver if you live in an apartment as the poop smell can get oppressive in a compact space.

Diapers: If you don’t want your baby peeing and pooping all over you then stock up enough new born diapers. Diaper free time is not really advisable and I will discuss it in detail in my potty training blog.

Bath Tub: An infant bathtub with a sling for better support during the first 3 months of baby’s bath is also highly recommended! You can use the same tub for up to 1 year after removing the sling.

Baby Backpack Diaper Bag: Another essential addition to your newborn shopping list is a diaper backpack. You will need this from day 1 to carry baby essentials with you! And I prefer a backpack over a traditional sling bag as it keeps both my hands free in case I need to carry the baby or push the cart or eat or drink water or…………

Things That Can Wait

Bigger clothes: Don’t stock up on large sizes for your newborn in advance. Some babies grow up to be taller and slender; some may be stout. Buy them as and when required based on your baby’s growth.

Toys: Babies’ responses develop with time. It’s only after they are 2 months old that they start reacting to sounds and sights. Hence, it is no use rattling toys and playing music from day 1. You can buy them once they cross the 2 month threshold. Bathing toys can wait for a little longer than that. A baby must start sitting upright in the bathtub to watch the little colorful toy ducks floating around it!

Toilet seat: Signs of readiness of the baby to be toilet trained may begin at 18 months to 24 months. This one can definitely wait!

High chair: Buy a high chair only when the baby is able to sit and eat solid food.

Walker: Some may not want to use them at all while others may choose to give it a try. Whatever may be the case, you don’t need them till your babies turn 10 months old.

The excitement of welcoming a newborn is immeasurable. However, you have to be very practical while shopping and strictly stick to the checklist you’ve made earlier.

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Note of Love for Best Birthday Wish - Work & Leisure

It’s when you feel blessed to have someone in your life, when your heart heaves a sigh of content everytime you hold his hand, when just a smile on his face brightens up every gloomy nook of your soul; it’s then and only then, words scatter around you in such captivating harmony that it warms the heart of every beholder!

Scattered words right from my heart for my dearest husband on his birthday!

It was ‘Daisy’s time’, The daffodils danced The swaying lilacs resonated the valley with euphony And then you came into this world Preceded by the hot summer showers; The sprinkles tingled your slushy skin Kissing the scarlet blush on your piquant chin: And today I kiss them with utmost delight As I stare into your alluring eyes, And with every passing breath a silent prayer skips, ‘May the lovely Angel fill your life With all the bliss, with all the bliss!’

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Why Infant Car Seat is Important - Infant Car Seat- Work & Leisure

We always read and hear about how a mom prepares for the arrival of her newborn, this time round let’s look at things from a dad’s point of view!

When My Wife Broke the News of Her Pregnancy

Rachel Cohn says in her book, Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, ‘You should never wish for wishful thinking’. I have always wondered what it really means; does it mean that one should wish for more practical things in case they come true? Well, that’s what I would like to think; because I genuinely believe that on that pleasant evening of March 2018, standing on the patio of my new rental apartment, with a cup of ginger tea, if I had wished to become a billionaire, my wish would have come true! But instead, I wished for a baby and guess what, come August, my wife pleasantly surprised me with the pic of her positive pregnancy test!

Two facts hit me hard right then: first, I was going to wear the parenting hat once again after 10 long years and second, the wish-granting fairy way sitting right next to me that evening! Well, I was truly overwhelmed

Bumpy Pregnancy

This pregnancy was not as smooth for my wife as the last one, it was literally a bumpy pregnancy. A lot of throwing up, body ache, and swelling of the legs made it difficult for her to sleep and rest. Two pregnancy gadgets that helped her sail through this difficult phase were:

Maternity Belt: it gave a good support to her growing belly and back, and eased her back ache to a great extent

Maternity Pillow: it acted as a cushion to her belly and allowed her to sleep comfortably on her side

All in all, this pregnancy was a bumpy ride, but we managed to sweep through it!

Now, fast forward to the 32nd week, and we realized it was time we started shopping for our little prince who was to join us soon. While my wife took upon herself to shop for newborn baby clothes and newborn baby skin care products, my focus was on buying the best and the safest infant car seat and stroller for my baby.

Choosing for an Infant Car Seat and Stroller

Coming from a father of a 10-year-old, it may sound weird that shopping for a infant car seat and stroller was new to me. But it was, because in India it is not a mandate to install a car seat for a new born baby. And here I was, looking for a newborn car seat and stroller that had to meet the California car seat laws. I must have watched at least 10 different videos and read quite many articles before I made my checklist.

My Amazon Picks

Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat | B…

$129.99$219.99 (168)

Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 XT Infant Car Seat, Studio

$120.63$179.99 (780)

Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat, Orion

$199.99 (429)

Evenflo LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat, Easy to Install, Versat…

$96.99$99.99 (218)All

Ads by Amazon

Infant Car Seat Checklist

Based on my research, I decided to buy a newborn travel system that includes a car seat instead of just buying a car seat. It was more practical and reasonable to do that. So now, I was not only looking for a car seat, but for a complete travel system (stroller and car seat combo) that would grow with my baby for the next few years. Here’s my personal checklist for buying the same:

First, the car seat should be compatible with my car

Second, the car seat should be easy to install and remove

Third, both the car seat and the travel system should be lightweight, sleek and durable

Fourth, the stroller should be easily foldable

Fifth, the wheels on the stroller should be shock absorbent, soft yet sturdy for the baby to have a smooth ride

Sixth, the stroller should have a storage basket and a blanket boot

Seventh, the canopy and the arm bar of the car seat should be removable to make baby transfer easier and comfortable

Finally, the travel system should have multiple modes so that I can use it till my baby’s toddler years

The above checklist helped to buy a sturdy car seat and travel system for my baby boy. The only thing I had to add on to the car seat later was a head and neck support for my baby. So, add that to your check-list too!

Installing the car seat

It is also important once you buy the car seat, is to install the base correctly into the car. There are many video’s in YouTube, but I liked this one.

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Best Experience at Jaisalmer Trip by Car - Work & Leisure

‘A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles’, Tim Cahill says so; and this is exactly how I feel at the end of our road jaunt from Delhi to Jaisalmer. Newfound friends in a new city, concocted in my life like the fragrance of freshly brewed coffee that infuses in one’s system every morning. Hahahaha….a poor simile, I know! But as winter is deserting Delhi, I am clinging to my last few sips of hot coffee.

Four families met during Dussera (a larger than life festival in India during the monsoon season) and became so genial that a road trip to Jaisalmer did seem like the most obvious thing to do. A thousand kilometres from Noida (when you take the NH 8) is definitely no sweat unless I tell you that we had two very elderly couples accompanying us! Oh yes! So, there was the enthusiastic us, our animated kids, and the high-spirited parents- all excited about setting their foot on the golden sand.

Six couples and 3 kids were comfortably packed in Mahindra Scorpio, Maruti S-Cross and Hyundai Elantra-Hyundai Elantra taking away the award for ‘The Car of the Trip’ for giving an excellent mileage of 20 plus on the highway when driven at the speed of 120 to 140 KM per hour.

We started our mini escapade at 12 midnight from Noida, sector 78. You can quite well imagine why we chose to start at midnight; it was obviously to avoid the rush of traffic during the day. Yes, we avoided the day traffic rush, but the trucks and lorries on the National Highway did not make it any easier. So, may I suggest that starting early in the morning at 4 AM may be a better idea, instead!

While some of us had filled ourselves from home, some were still to have their dinner and hence we decided to stop for a quick grub. Unfortunately, for the starving souls, that stop didn’t happen till we covered almost a 100 KM.

I will tell you where we made a mistake here;

We did not curb at Gurgaon in a haste to get rid of the traffic caused by the trucks on the Highway. It didn’t help at all. Instead, we went on looking for the right place to dine with family but found none. Finally, we ceased at a Dhaba but witnessed some rift between two men and ran away. At 3 AM in the morning we eventually halted at another highway joint and were treated with the yummiest aloo parathas I have ever had; you can also take this as a review of a hungry and tired soul

Takeaway lesson: If you plan to start at night, it will be wise to fill yourselves up. Halting at the highway after midnight did not seem like an accommodating idea to me.

Our next pause was at 7 AM in the morning for breakfast and then 11 AM for tea; another one for lunch and few many brief halts. Every break was a fun of a different kind, with us seizing the kitchen to make personalised delicacies for our ever-food-craving appetites. Madness??? Oh yeah!

Our man at work

The drive from Noida to Jaisalmer took 20 hours due to our numerous stops. But we took this as an opportunity to engulf the beauty that our journey bestowed upon us. The roads and the subtle panoramic view on both sides of it were something one could get lost in. We have, of course, locked the experience in the countless pics that we clicked.

From the road!

Royal Haveli at Jaisalmer is where we stayed for the first two days.

Rewind: Fifteen days prior to our trip, all heads attacked the various travel websites, trying to find the best place for stay. Some reviewed the places from the point of view of rating, some were dogged by luxury ambience while the others looked at moderate pricing with a tasteful stay. ‘Moderate pricing with a tasteful stay’ got an upper hand over the rest and Royal Haveli, of all the hotels in Jaisalmer, had the pleasure of hosting us :)

On a serious note, Royal Haveli in Jaisalmer is a perfect example of a decent stay. It is no real Haveli turned into a hotel property. It’s a hotel that looks like a mini Haveli – colourfully and tastefully done, with commendable service. The food was good; veg available round the clock and non-veg available on request. No hot water at night. Provided in buckets when asked.

What you may not like: Tissue Paper in bathrooms only available on request.

USP: laudable service

Since we reached Jaisalmer at 7 PM on 11th night, we didn’t venture out that day. While we ladies were busy feeding the little ones, and putting them to sleep, the men headed to a famous shop in the city to drink lassi mixed with bhang (hemp). They were nice enough to get a glass of ‘bhang lassi’ for 4 ladies to share. You are right, one small glass for four of us! Arrgg! But for the sweethearts that we are, we let it go! We spend the rest of the night on the terrace of this mini Haveli Hotel offering a nocturnal yet enchanting view of the Jaisalmer Fort, chatting and making merry!

The tiring drive did not keep us in bed for long the next morning. We were up and buzzing by 8. While some of us were busy decking ourselves for the day ahead, two of our friends found the best dal kachori and jalebi in Jaisalmer and had it packed for our breakfast. A delicious way to start the morning, indeed!

The gang! Ready for the exciting day ahead!

Our first stop that day was at the Jaisalmer war museum; a place every Indian must visit. A museum may sound boring, but the candid captures of our brave jawans smiling with heavy guns in their hands are anything but inspiring. Every letter written by the soldiers to their families brought me close to tears. There is also an elaborate display of weapons and tanks captured during wars, for those who love machinery.

Our next terminus was Longewala border which is about 110 km from Jaisalmer. I had heard once that sometimes the road to the destination is more alluring than the destination itself; so, it was! The way to Longewala War Memorial which is 15 km before the India-Pakistan border, had me lost in its curves and twists. I never did imagine that being in Rajasthan meant driving on camel’s back; not literally, of course! The 110-km stretch was beautiful with empty roads analogous to the humps on camel’s back. There was only golden sand on either side with short shrubs looking up to the sky as if asking for less sunshine and more rain. Hailing from a green hill station in north-east India, this definitely was a view to die for.

Note: There is no food stop on the way. Please fill yourselves up before you start from the city.

After a halt at the border for an hour or a little more, we continued to drive towards Tanaut Mata’s Mandir (temple). A very famous temple that is said to have withstood the test of time and explosives too, during the war. We reached the temple right in time to attend the evening prayers. A soul filling ‘aarti’ by the army jawans was simply out of the world. It engulfed us completely and we left the temple feeling heavenly and connected to the all-mighty.

We made our way back to the hotel in a sombre frame of mind reliving every moment of the day spent so well with the people we felt so close to!

On the second day, we were all geared up to roll in the golden sand under the diminishing amber sunlight. But before that, we had to visit the famous ‘Sonar Killa’. We spend half of our day marvelling over the Jaisalmer fort. Beautifully and intelligently built, no doubt this magnificent structure has stood the test of time!

A glimpse of the fort

By the end of our fort exploration, our stomachs were screaming for food. Our big boys had done their homework and escorted us to Gaji’s Restaurant. Don’t miss it! Pleasing ambience with a scrumptious continental spread. But what I personally enjoyed is the auto-rickshaw ride to the Gaji’s. Rickshaws with an open back to sit were new to me, and we all made the best of it.

We were finally ready for the sand. As soon as we were done with the lunch, we packed ourselves into different cars and headed to Camp-e-Khas, our paradise in the desert. Jammed in an all-girls car driven by one of our hotties, we were the first to reach the destination. Threw our bags at the camp and just boarded the Thar (jeep), all ready and waiting to escort us. After a long time, felt the adrenaline rush as the jeep went flying on the sand. Dune bashing it’s called, I guess. Whatever it was, it is worth every second! As planned, we witnessed the sand turn amber under the setting sun. A camel ride was what the children were looking forward to. Their shrieks and shrills made every bump exhilarating.

After an hour at the dessert, we headed back to the camp. Camp-e-Khas had organized ‘khas’ or special dinner for us. The dinner was served at the mini amphitheatre with Rajasthani folk song and dance performed by the local entertainers. The men were their best selves dancing away to folk music with the two performers. Well, it was obvious that they found the dancers irresistible.

As the jocund evening came to a closure, we realized that our enthralling trip too was about to end. But we could not just let it be enthralling, we had to make it crazy too. We put the children to sleep and at 2 AM booked a jeep and went dune bashing back in the desert. It was the best experience of the entire trip. Zooming away under the moonlight with the chilled breeze slapping our face, we screamed and yelled our daily stressful routine out of our systems. Till 3 AM we rolled in the desert sand and sang songs. To our luck, a tea seller appeared from nowhere and treated us to the much-needed ginger tea. That one hour made our trip truly extraordinary!

Note: On our way back the next day, we stopped at Kafe The Kaku for lunch. Amazing food with a pleasant milieu. It occupies a small part of the Jaisalmer Fort giving away a mesmerizing view of the city and the sunset in the evening.

Sunset from ‘Kafe the Kaku’

It was late evening when we started from the ‘Kafe’ back to Delhi with a bag full of thrilling and adorable memories :)

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Best Poem for The Wedding Day - Work & Leisure

Written for a dear friend whom I have known for quite some time; loving and kind-hearted, she is a friend I will keep for life!

My dear friend, on her wedding day, Clad in her densely woven silk gear, Must have thrust her starry eyelids, From under the web of her netted veil; To cheat a glance at the man standing by her side With whom the secrets of her life were to confide; To keep at bay her deepest qualms, Before she walked the aisle to say ‘I abide!’

I stood not there to witness this, But today my heart whirls gleefully with bliss, As I stand here to endorse her a happiness; In the arms of the man who reigns her heart, And promises irrefutable loyalty on his part.

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Tips For Post Pregnancy Weight Loss Journey

It has been one week already and I am simply loving it! Why? For a lot of reasons but primarily because finally, in 35 years of my life, I love going to the gym. Today I can tell you confidently that my gym phobia was all due to cardio- running on the treadmill mindlessly for 30 minutes and still not seeing any results simply drove me crazy.

So, have I seen any results in my new workout regime in just a week? Actually, yes! Tini-mini-miny-bit, but yes! My body is changing and the measurements say so. At this point of time, I would also like to confess that I missed gym for two days this week and have not been able to stick to my allotted macros completely. I have exceeded it a little bit everyday! Also, my workout postures were not complete due to the onset muscle soreness that happens in the first few days of exercising!

In addition to all this, my birthday on the 3rd day and a family shopping expedition on the 5th day also played a spoiler in the otherwise planned schedule!

Good habits are difficult to form I guess .

How Does This Regime Work:

So, here is how it works! I have been allotted 1400 calories per day in whatever I eat! I need to burn more calories than that through my weight training. Now, how does weight training help me achieve my goals better than cardio? Cardio helps you burn calories when you are sweating it out on that treadmill. But as soon as you stop running, your calorie burn stops there. Whereas in weight training you burn calories then and continue to burn fat in the background for 48 hours after your workout. Great, isn’t it? Also, weight training helps you to tone up your muscles whereas cardio leaves you with loose skin. Reference link: https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/body-fat-percentage-calculation/is-weight-lifting-better-than-cardio/

My personal realization, in just one week, is that, weight training makes your body stronger! My legs have always been a problem, heavy and weak! But just in one week of lower body training, I can feel the difference! I will be able to define it better in days to come!

Lower Body Training Regime

Here’s my leg training routine:

Day 2 ,Day 4 and Day 6- Lower Body

Dumbbell Squats

3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Walking Lunges

3 sets – 20 steps

Leg curls with Dumbbell

3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Leg Extensions with Dumbbell

3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Dumbbell Hip Thrust

3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Standing Calf Raise

3 sets – 10 – 15 reps

Cable Crunch

3 sets – 15-20 reps

Side planks

3 sets -hold  30 – 60 secs

My favorites are, leg curls with dumbbells and leg extensions with dumbbells. Easy to repeat but tough on the legs.

My Diet

My diet remains the same as I had shared in my last post, with the addition of almonds and dates for snacking (all within the desired macros).

StatsDay 1Week 1

Weight153 lbs151 lbs

Waist36 inches36 inches

Hips45 inches45 inches

Arms12.5 inches11.5 inches

Tighs21 inches23 inches

Results

Finally, it’s time for the results! Here’s how my end of the week body stats look:

Not too much of a change in numbers but a lot stronger and a lot more active. Afternoon naps are already out of the picture and now my focus is on getting up early and staying active for the rest of the day! Hoping that too shall come through!

That’s all for now! Will be back next week with a newer me

P.S: The diet and the exercises have been designed keeping my BMI and health issues in mind by a certified nutritionist and trainer. Please consult a certified practitioner before starting your expedition towards a healthy life!

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Top places to visit in San Francisco include going to Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, eating at Finsherman's Wharf, Chinatown and Ghirardelli Square. Visit- https://workleisureuploads.com/the-city-of-my-dreams-san-francisco/; There is dream places for trip.

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The Wedding Day is very special for every couple out there. They Kept Promise to each other. There is most beautiful poem on it. Check it out in https://workleisureuploads.com/the-wedding-day/

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Dream Trip & Places to Visit in San Francisco - Work & Leisure

Growing up in India, most children of my era dream of visiting two bridges in the world, the London Bridge from the popular nursery rhyme and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Hence, when I landed in San Francisco last year, it was a dream come true! Standing amidst the gorgeous skyscrapers, the unremitting Bay and the moonily illuminated Golden Gate Bridge, I felt overwhelmingly satiated.

But of course, there is so much more to San Francisco than just the iconic bridge. This hilly city engulfed by fog during most part of the year has a lot to offer. I could walk around the city all day, day after day, and still, discover someplace with an intriguing history. It could be a museum, an eatery or just someplace to sit and stare away at the busy city dwellers! Here are some of my favorite spots in this beautiful city.

The Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point

The Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point offers a mesmerizing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean in its dramatic blue hosting the notorious Alcatraz Island, and Fort Baker, a former military post. I love sitting at this breezy point watching the Pacific Ocean lose its bluish hue and embrace a dreamy grey as the fog rises from the heart of the ocean and spread across the city. 

Treat Your Taste Buds At The Fisherman’s Wharf

One of the most popular spots in the city happens to be my favorite too. Bustling with tourist energy, this place offers the finest seafood experience in the city.  Every eatery here has its specialty and you must give each one a fair chance. Once I am done gorging, I also like to retreat to the waterfront to watch the seals yelling at each other and breaking the monotony of human conversation.

A Walk Across the Cash-Rich Chinatown

Chinatown in San Francisco is said to be the largest Chinese establishment outside Asia. I have never been to China but walking through the streets of Chinatown did feel that way! Rebuilt to look raw and authentic, Chinatown must be explored beyond Grant Avenue and the souvenir shops. Discover the real Chinese culture in the narrow streets and small alleys of Chinatown. We spent a whole day wandering around and reveling in the beauty of this small town setup and yet it didn’t seem enough! I can go back to Chinatown any day to relish delicious Chinese cuisine, click some more pics at the many popular tourist spots and sit at an old yet popular eatery listening to the tall tales of this beautiful establishment!

Black Point Cafe In Ghirardelli Square

The best gift to take back home- chocolates, and where can you find them? Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco! While I was there just to buy chocolates, I chanced upon this lovely coffee shop, Black Point Cafe, offering a breathtaking view of Ghirardelli Square and the San Francisco Bay. After a long and tiring day of walking around the city, unwinding with a great cup of coffee and some delectable sandwiches and pastries did feel like a great idea.

So that’s my top 4 picks of must-go-to places in San Francisco for the first time visitors. But if you hang around for a longer time then you must consider taking a ferry to Alcatraz Island, hike along the trails of Twin Peaks, dinner date cruise on San Francisco Bay, ride around San Francisco and Chinatown in a cable car and set your footprint on Baker’s Beach. There are also some iconic museums that you may want to visit, the call is yours! I am not a very ‘museum’ person so that is last on my list.

Happy exploring!

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Do you know How to Stop a Crying Baby? There could be many reasons while baby is crying. To stop them crying you should schedule his/her Tummy Time. Do tummy time after your baby is fed and his nappy changed so you can take advantage of their happy mood and interest in life.

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Blog on Best Memorable Trip to Phuket - Work & Leisure

Make your little adventures and family holidays flawless with booking.com! A famous quote from St. Augustine strikes me just now: ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’. Reading, writing and travelling are the only things that excite my hubby and me; and both of us are only too glad to be joined by our seven-year-old son, who smiles a little wider and squeals a little louder, with excitement when a trip is underway. Even with our busy work schedules, we manage to squeeze in multiple weekend outings within few hundred kilometres and one-fortnight getaway, every year. Every ramble is a motivation to work a little harder to be able to comfortably accommodate the next expedition.

With a seven-year-old kid who is turning 8 in January, there is a heap of things that have started to matter a lot more than it did when he was a baby. For example, our itinerary includes places which are fun for kids like some amusement parks, museums, aquariums, shows that are kids worthy, kid preferred restaurants for all meals, and so on.

But the highest preference award goes to the place that we decide to stay. My son is very particular about a couple of things and voices his opinion quite explicitly on what he expects from the stay; and the animation with which he expresses his desires, only make us oblige. Our choices of stays in India had always been very kid friendly, with a lot to do for adults too and daddy dear beams with pride whenever he shares his travel stories with his friends.

But October 2015 was a little different. We decided that it was time for our first international travel. Though my hubby has been overseas for work a couple of times, but never along with us. For my sonny and me, it was our very first jaunt outside India and we were thrilled, to say the least. Our first destination outside India was Phuket, Thailand.

While we could have easily taken up a package and joined a group, all traveling to the same destination, (people say that’s the safest and the best when you are journeying overseas for the first time) I was quite reluctant. For me, traveling is a time to unwind and relax. Getting up at my own free will, savouring the breakfast taking my own sweet time, reading a book while my hubby and sonny take a dip in the pool, are the things that make my holiday a perfect one. And when you travel with a group, all this is not possible, or so I assume. Well, to each his own! But because we chose not to take up any package tour, we had to face multiple challenges and this is where Booking.com came to our rescue! Let me tell you how!

So, we researched on various travel websites for almost a month. We had to look for everything on our own and also ensure that we don’t miss any activities since you don’t travel overseas every now and then. We spoke to a couple of friends, who had already been to Phuket. Everyone gave their share of advice. It is one of these friends who suggested that we use Booking.com to do all our bookings because it is supposed to be the most intuitive travel website. My friend also assured us that we would get the best deals on this website. Honestly, till that instant, we had never heard of Booking.com. I remember, after my conversation with my friend, I called my hubby who was at work and told him about this website. He was obviously busy and asked me to figure it out. I did, and am I not glad that I abided by my friend’s advice! Booking.com is not just simple, it is an answer to all your pre-booking dubieties.

We wanted at least a 3-star property with spacious rooms, lavish bathrooms, nicely done up balconies overlooking some green space, a well-maintained swimming pool, a children’s park, indoor games room, Wi-fi, breakfast, and easy accessibility to the main town and the beach. We got all this and much more at an unbelievable price on Booking.com.

Once you have entered the destination and the dates on the website’s home page, ample of stay options appear in front of you. You can review the stay alternatives based on their top picks or the lowest price, or stars, or distance from the City Centre or even the review score. These options show up just above the hotel names, starting from the top.

There are of course numerous filter options on the left-hand side of the page, which allows you to choose the type of accommodation you would prefer, your budget, meal options, facilities, accessibility to the popular hang-outs and much more. Please check out the page for yourself and you would know what I am talking about!

The reviews and photographs are candid, genuine, and very advantageous. It played a great part in our holidays. I had personally penned down my feedback about the Deevana Resort and The Crib, where we had put up during our stay in Phuket.

Initially, we had booked a 3-day stay at The Deevana Resort in Phuket and another 3 days stay at Koh Samui. But due to the expensive airfare from Phuket to Koh Samui, we canceled our booking at Koh Samui and booked The Crib in Phuket; all this without any hassle at all! No calls, no complicated terms and conditions, just clicks- book, cancel, book again. The best of all was sitting at Malaysian airport and realizing that we had not thought about how will we commute to the hotel from the airport. We still had few hours in hand till we reached Phuket. My hubby immediately went to his booking on Booking.com, requested for a pickup from the airport and our hotel obliged. Believe me, it was the best thing we did because our hotel was quite far from the airport. Booking.com made everything bother free! All that simple!

A new country, foreign language, non-English speaking crowd and yet a conspicuous tour, all thanks to Booking.com. It, not only offers you easy payment and cancellation options but also an option to book a stay without any advance payment. What more can one ask for, really!

Make your little adventures and family holidays flawless with booking.com!

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Are you thinking of what to gift your Mother and make her feel very special on Mother’s Day? Check out https://workleisureuploads.com/top-10-things-to-gift-this-mothers-day/ for best gifts ideas for mother.