7 Ways To Boost Your Immune System During Winter!

We are a week into chillai Kalan (the harsh winter period) and the weather is terribly cold. We’re are all coughing and sniffing and add the regular power cuts to the winter woes. No one would like to fall sick and have common cold at any cost. To avoid the horribly stuffy nose we need to boost our Immune system. So, instead of staying away from sick friends, boot your immune system and brace up the odds. We cannot entirely avoid it, but hey, we can follow some super easy routines and find how best we can keep away from it.

1.       Avoid Stress.

Enjoy life. Relax, laugh and avoid negativity. Stress and depression can weaken your immune system and make you susceptible to infections. We can’t control the factors that bring in stress in our lives but can control how we react to them! Let go of the things that are bothering you and pay attention to the ones that bring you joy. Take everything positively. This is easier said than done but with great motivation we achieve do anything.

2.       Eat balanced Diet.

Take care of what you eat and how healthy it is. You need vitamins and minerals to support your immune system. Focus on eating whole foods such as animal proteins( not to mention that to a Kashmiri, our meals are incomplete without them) legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds as well as fresh fruits and salads.

Avoid processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners. Such foods suppress immune system.

3.       Take antioxidants.

Apart from taking balanced diet, take sufficient amount of vitamin C. Find out foods rich in vitamin C and include them in daily routine. Do not just cram them in when you have hand not any since few months. That will surely give you a bout of cold. This one must be planned ahead but even if you have not planned it, you got to take them.

You can find these vitamins in foods like Broccoli, Almond Nuts, and any Citrus foods.

4.       Get enough sleep.

Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day. Make sure you do not waste your precious time on social media and watching Netflix, a good amount of sleep is highly recommended for healthy body and mind. Again it doesn’t mean you sleep at odd times. Rest your biological clock (natural cycle). It can get hard first but you will get this routine in few days. Listening to your body is important.

5.       Move those limbs!

A regular exercise routine keeps the sickness away. Workout will keep the flu away and help your Immune system to get strong. It relaxes the body and mind.

I do not mean you to do heavy cardio and overdo it, just simple and easy exercises, that will let you move your body enough to keep it healthy. If you can do even that, than take a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes everyday!

6.       Soak up some sunlight.

Winter is no reason to stay indoors (wearing Pheran and hugging Kangri) instead, go out and soak up some sunshine. Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D, it not only helps your immune system but also helps your nails and hair grow.

Try to go out few times a week into the sun and get a vitamin D recharge.

7.       Drink plenty of clean water.

Winter or not, staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps in production of lymph which carried white blood cells throughout our body. And hence, fights bacteria and infection causing germs.

You can add some lemon to it and boost it a bit more.

You can also take Lassi (made from curd and water). It keeps your body hydrated too.

How do you avoid the dreaded common cold? Let us know in the comments section below… 

Good things come to those who sign up for our emails.

I will see you in the nest post.

Bye!

How to Cook Ghande Maaz (Onions and Meat) - Kashmiri style.

Today I'll take you to my kitchen and show you how we ksahmiris cook our Ghande Maaz. Ghande in kashmiri means Onion and Maaz is the word for meat. It is a regular homestyle dish and is cooked often. It is mainly served with rice - the staple food of Kashmir. (We can eat rice four times a day and as for Mutton is is as important as oxygen!). LOL. However, you can relish it with roti, naan, pulao etc.

Ghande Maaz has a rich spicy broth in which meat peices are cooked and it is very easy to prepare. 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg mutton, preferred with bone
• 2 TBS cooking oil, (preferably mustard oil)
• 2 tsp salt
• 2  onions, sliced 
• 1/2  tomatoes/tamatar, diced 
• 2/3 garlic/lahsun 
• 1 TBS ginger/adrak paste
• 1 TBS coriander/dhania, ground
• 2 tsp Kashmiri mirch 
• 1 tsp turmeric/haldi
• Few cardamoms(though you can omit them)
• 1 inch piece cassia bark/dalchini (not mandatory)

This is how we cook it:

1. In a pressure cooker, heat oil, Put the finely washed mutton in it along with salt, ginger garlic, onion and tomatoes.

2. You can cook without tomatoes but that wont be as tangy and spicy.

3. Fry till the meat begins to brown and all the water is dried up. This may take about 10 to 20 minutes depending upon the freshness of meat.

4. Add the rest of the spices and mix well. Let it fry for 5 to 7 minutes.

5. Add 3 cups of water or at least enough water to cover the entire mixture.

6. Let it cook for a while until it starts to boil.

7. Seal the pressure cooker and continue to cook till 4 – 5 whistles or until the desired tenderness is achieved.

Serve hot. Must have delicacy from Kashmir. Try it and share the reviews with me. Enjoy.

Don’t forget to pin it and share with your friends. 

How To Get Stuff Done?

Hi guys!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog posts as much a s I love posting them. The topic that I chose for today is "HOW TO GET STUFF DONE?" Well, it is the most coldest time of the year so many of you like me, prefer to stay indoors with "Pheran" and "Kangri". Moreover the days too are very short which means very little time to get all the things done. I have found that most of the days I am not able to complete with all the tasks that I have to do and makes me wonder all the time if it is me who is getting lazy or is it the time, that is running short. Basically it is both and add the intense below zero temperature to it.

However, I have listed some good key points that might help me and you to get through this winter and the stuff that needs to be done.

Read along.

1. Motivation

Why? Obviously!

The first and foremost step to get anything done is the right motivation. Find it! And it is present everywhere; internet, blogs, books, magazines, friends, family, anywhere, everywhere. 

Let the power of this motivation drive you with full energy to get your stuff done.

2. List-it

I know right! There is a huge bunch of things that need to be sorted out and you don't know how and where to start. Well, Grab a notebook or a diary and make a list of all the tasks that you have to do. Make lists of all the things and of all sorts that are feasible to you. Start with the task that has the highest priority. Mark the ones that you have done. Make sub-lists of the tasks that are composed of many sub tasks. For example: If one of the larger tasks you want to conquer is cleaning your room, make another list of specific tasks. This would include vacuuming, re-organizing your makeup, and getting rid of junk.

3. Do it

To get anything done, you got to do it. Come out of your warm and cozy cocoon and grab the tools that are required to get the stuff done. How else are you going to do it, it you are not doing it? Does that make sense? 

Okay, start with the smallest tasks that require the least amount of your time. This will make your list a lot little and will make you feel accomplished. Your motivation will also surge. Use this motivation to tackle the bigger tasks that require greater efforts.

4. Finish it off!

Once you have finished everything on the TO-DO list, check them all and share with your friends and family. That is you moment of accomplishment! 

Take your time, enjoy and make more lists. 

Well, work is a never ending thing. 

Was this article helpful? Share with us your ways of how to get stuff done. what do you do to keep yourself motivated? How do you feel when you are done with your Stuff?

Bye friends!

P.S. Don't forget to pin and share. 

10 Great Tips For Crafters

Hi everyone. Today I'll be sharing some tips and tricks that I have picked up over the years of crafting with my fellow crafters. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced crafter of not, this list has something for everyone, hopefully.

These tips are lifesaving and I considered them as "crafters Good Habits" 

Okay, let's start.

1. Use velcro Strips to stop your rugs from moving. We do have those rugs at home that we have to cautious about while stepping on them. They tend to move and slip from their place. The solution is, do not affix whole carpet to the floor, rather affix a strip of velcro to both floor and carpet and join them together. 

It helps, you can do your cleaning in much better way.

Wish I had known this before we pasted whole of our carpet on our marble floor!

2. Use dry tea bags to get rid of bad odour from your smelly shoes. Simply place the dry tea bags in the shoes and take them out when you have to wear them. 

3. Wash your paint brushes with the hair conditioner. Soak them for few minuted in hair conditioner and wash with luke warm water. I love this one because I have a habit to let the paint dry on the paint brushes until it becomes hard.

4. Smooth out the creased ribbons with the help of hot light bulb. I stuff all my ribbon scraps in a big jar so will have to try this quick technique.

5. Is your scissor blunt and doesn't work properly? simply sharpen it by cutting the sandpaper. This totally works and keeps your scissors in better shape

6. For all the lazy crafters out there  press small pieces of fabric with a hair straightener rather than getting the ironing board out.

7. So you love candle making?  Are you tired of trying to clean surfaces with wax scraps? I have a trick for that too. Carefully pour just boiled water onto wax scraps left in glass candle containers. Leave to cool and the wax will come free from the jar. Use the wax scraps to make more candles using this DIY!

8. Pick up seed beads and glitter mess with a lint roller. crafters have a habit to spill almost everything and those beads are messy to work with and they never behave. Getting them on a lint roller is so helpful.

9.  Use a teapot as a thrifty alternative to a yarn bowl and place your yarn at one place! Make sure your teapot is clean and dry though! Put the yarn ball in the teapot and pull the free end from the nose of the pot. 

10. Sharpen craft punches by punching tin foil. Clever eh?! There is a way to sharpen those punches too. 

If you have any crafting tip to share please comment below. I would love to increase this list and learn from you people. Share your habits here....

Don't forget to share and pin this post.

Byee!!

Knitting For Kids - Little DIY Bunny

A li'l projects for lovely creative and crafty kids. A sweet yellow yarny bunny. Its very easy and doesn't require any great expertise. The pattern too is easy to follow. So all kids there, grab a ball of yarn of your favorite color and two knitting needles. 

Our yarny bunny knitted using a garter stitch.

Steps:

1. Using your knitting needles and your favorite yarn make 25 stitches.
2. Continue making purl stitches until 30 rows are made.
3. Mark and Make a triangular area on one side, stitch along the marked area and pull the thread. As in picture.
4. Pull the ends of this thread. Fill it in with the cotton. This part is the head and the two ears.
5. Stuff the other part and close with a yarn needle and yarn.
6. Affix a pom pom as a tail.
7. Make eyes and mouth with the help of paints.
And then you are done.

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5 Minute Sewing Projects for Fun

This post is a compilation. This is my first ever compilation. I could have done them myself but hey why should I redo the tutorials when my fellow bloggers have made beautiful tutorials already. Each of these projects make me want to start right over with my sewing machine and pretty fabrics.

This post comprises of 5 minute sewing crafts that one can easily do. They come in handy from nifty storage ideas or Diy home decor.

Lets begin then!

1. 5 Minute Pillows.

Make these adorable pillows for yourself. Tutorial by ramblingrenovators

2. 5 Minute fabric flowers.

You can use them to decorate any bag or boxex. Maybe use one of them as Hijab pins.
Tutorial by crazylittleprojects

3. 5 Minute gift card holder.

Make this easy gift card holder so you can give your loved ones what they want but give a little DIY gift with it to make it feel just a little more special. Tutorial by so-sew-easy

4. 5 Minute easy Apron

There is so much you can do with those 1 yard pieces of fabrics and a Diy apron is one of them.

Check this tutorial by Hobbiesinn.

5. 5 Minute Kimono.

who doesn't want to be fashionable and that too if it comes at low price. Check this refashion from a scarf to a kimono by keepupwithusjones

6. 5 Minute laptop Sleeve.

sewsomestuff gives us some pretty tutorial for our laptops.

7. 5 Minute Bows.

Bows come handy in almost all cute sewing projects. Use them in decorating bags, pillows, dresses, hair accessories, anything. Check out this super easy tutorial by Hobbiesinn.

8. 5 Minute Key Hangers.

Messing with those keys? try making these cute Key fabs all by yourself in just 5 minutes. 

Tutorial by cloverandviolet

9. 5 Minute Ribbon bookmarks.

Are you a bookholic? Make these super easy and cute bookmarks for yourself from ribbons.

Tutorial by: sparklesofsunshine

10. 5 Minute Sun-glass case.

Your sunglasses are one of those things that you need to take care of and how else could you do it but by making a pretty sun-glass case and that too in 5 minutes.

Tutorial by crazylittleprojects

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Grow Your Business With These 10 Tips For Photographing Your Crafts.

Your photographs represent your brand. Yes you are creative, you are talented and you can have a beautiful business growth. But if you are not putting you best foot forward in photographing your handmade treasures you are harming your business more than you are doing good.

A beautiful picture has a greater impact on the minds of your prospecting customers. Your pictures speak volumes of how efficient you are. A bad picture may put off a person and a good picture will earn you benefits. You may wonder that you are not a photographer and do not have a great camera or props to style your pictures, worry not! I have compiled some tips for my lovely readers for photographing their crafts.  I have picked up these tricks over the years of my blogging and have figured out what works best.

1. Keep it natural.

The natural sunlight is best for any picture to stand out. I do not mean to picture your item in scorching sun but use the natural light. Natural sunlight will always give you best photo no matter what camera you use. Indoor pictures with artificial and dim lights may put yellow cast on the picture or may make look your product look lifeless. The colors too don’t look good.

2. Keep it indirect.

Again I don’t say the item has to be in sun, in direct sun too the picture will look less appeling. You got to be indirect.  As long as natural light is hitting your item, you are in good position to capture a beautiful picture. I actually take most of my photos for use here on the blog and in my crochet patterns on the floor of our verandah.

Work with what you’ve got, I say!

3. Use lights if needed.

If you are working late in night and cant photograph in sunlight than you can use a lighting kit or the light in the room must be very bright so that picture will look good. Dim light will make your picture look bad. Also the source of light must not be angled at any position and no shadows must be cast on the item.

4. Photograph with more than one camera.

If you can, and if you have then why not experiment with various cameras and make sure which one works best. Whatever works good, use that.

5. Take multiple photos.

Never be satisfied with just one picture. Always take multiple shots in different angles and positions at varying distances. Sometimes the photos I end up using in a blog post or on my Pinterest account are the photos I thought wouldn’t turn out well at all.

You do take many selfies before you are satisfied with one so why not with your product. Remember it speaks volumes about your business.

6. Use a backdrop.

Backdrops or backgrounds are essential for any picture to stand out. You don’t need any fancy charms or ornaments. Use what you have.

Keep your background simple and minimal. Don’t overcrowd with things that may deviate the attention from the subject. If you can’t purchase a professional backdrop than you can always use a white sheet, your marble or wood flooring. Or maybe a simple cement surface. All looks good with good light and good angle. Don’t use colorful and patterned surfaces of quilts or blanket.  

7. Stage, stage, stage!

How you stage (place) your items makes all the difference. For example, if you are selling a jewelry than take picture while wearing them but take care of your messy hair and make sure you look good. selling crochet mitts? Take pictures while wearing them and while not. Do try to make a difference. See how they ( big giant bloggers and crafters) do it. Take inspiration from there.

Try to showcase all aspects of your product. Color, size, style etc.

8. Use Props.

When you take a picture of your product, use any good props like flowers, leaves, charms etc that will make your picture look better. But don’t overdo it. For example if you are selling a blanket, drape it around a chair. Put a coffee cup near it or some magazines may be. The look and feel will make people feel good about it.

9. Use a free online/offline photo editing tool.

Use any free online or offline photo editing tool. You can use photoshop if you are well versed with technology. Otherwise picas works fine for offline editing. Canva or picmoney are best online editing tools. Play store too offers various photo editing tools. You can adjust brightness, contrast, shadows and highlights in these editing tools. Just don’t use any dramatic effects as a professional doesn’t do that. Don’t unnecessarily blur or vignette your pictures. That is for kids, you know!

10. Use your logo!

I can not stress the importance of using a watermark or at least adding your name to the photos you post online. If you make gorgeous items (which of course you do!) those images will be shared. Once they are, it is out of your control. At least give people seeing it a way to find you if they see that shared photo on Facebook.  Canva has a great text tool that you can fade out to create a watermark on your photos – and for free!

If i have missed any tip, kindly mention in comments.

I hope this piece of article was helful to you.

Easy Eggplant Chutney-Recipe

A recipe typical to Kashmir and especially my home. I tried to find common Kashmiri food recipes around the web but unfortunately didn't find much. Though not an expert in cooking i decided that i will post some common and easy everyday foods along with other delicacies in my blog. So, here is one such recipe - Eggplant chutney.

Eggplants are much loved by everyone in my homeland and it is eaten both fresh and dried. However, In our recipe we have used freshly picked eggplants.

Ingredients:

1. 6-8 medium sized eggplants.

2. Vegetable oil, 1 Tablespoon.

3. Salt to taste.

4. Red chilli powder, to taste.

5. Turmeric, 1.5 teaspoon.

6. Ginger Garlic paste, 1 teaspoon.

7. Fennel powder, half teaspoon.

8. 1 Egg.

Method.

1. Sprinkle half a teaspoon of salt over the chopped eggplants and let it sit for 30 - 45 minutes. 

2. Drain the water and wash them. Put them in a frying pan along with oil, salt and ginger garlic paste.

3. Cook till all the water that the vegetable gives out is absorbed.

4. Add all the remaining spices and cook.

5. If it gets too dry, add some water and let it cook.

6. Add 1 egg and mix it thoroughly.

7. Cook for few more minutes.

8. Serve with rice of roti.

9. Enjoy.

9 Reasons everyone wants a crocheted gift in winter

I have always struggled as to what should I give my special people as a present that will show my love for them and be as special for them as it is for me. If I could, I would give them the piece of my heart. But hey, wait, I can! And so can you! 

A perfect sweet little handmade crochet item.

 Here are the reasons why a crocheted gift will be top of everyone's wish list this year – and I'm sure you'll be more than happy to oblige!

1. IT’LL BE TRULY SPECIAL

You've made it especially for them,  With your own hands, using your precious time and putting in your best efforts. It’ll mean more than all their other gifts put together.

2. AMIGURUMI IS JUST SO CUTE

A cheerful, chubby little stuff toy wont hurt anyone. look at all the beautiful things over the internet that are made with simple crocheting. A little toy will surely touch the heart.

3. THEY WANT A PIECE OF THE MAGIC

Well, you do have magic in your hands and non crafting people always want to hold the piece of that sorcery. After all you dont get such stuff in Malls. 

4. HANDMADE ROCKS

The beauty of handmade gift is beyond all that a money can get. moreover, more and more people are appreciating the beauty of a handmade gift. All they want is a piece of magic from someone as special as you. Show them that you care.

  

5. THAT CRAFTY LOOK IS SO ON TREND

crafty is a new trend and crocheted accessories are trendsetters this season. It will simply be a welcome present for your fashionista friends. They will simply adore it.

6. EVERYONE LOVES A GRANNY SQUARE!

A classic granny square boots, blanket, mitts are everyone's fave... All that brings instant happiness and coziness to anyone. after all that is what a gift is for. 

7. THEY’LL BE ABLE TO SHOW IT OFF TO THEIR FRIENDS

your handmade will be flaunted widely and happily because it is not something everyone can ge and it is definitely one of a kind thing. you are getting famous and appreciated for being wonderfully talented. What are you waiting for?

8. IT’S PERSONAL

You know the one you are gifting to. you know them personally and the gift that you are making is customized according to them. you know their likes and dislikes hence, color combos, size, style , all matter. It will tell your recipient how much you know and care about them.

 9. LET’S FACE IT, WHO WOULDN’T?

The crochet items are appealing. If you have happened to make one such item ever, you would tell how much everyone wants some of it too. Who wouldn't like a pretty gift like that.

If you are new to crocheting or are looking for inspirations, do check our blog for more.

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Things all crochet business owners should know

Recently we have witnessed a shape hike in the handmade businesses in Kashmir valley. The crochet business in surely one thing that is in trend and many girls and women have started their online shops with variety of beautiful and cozy stuff. If you are one of those people who too want to start an online crochet business but are filled with if’s and but’s than this post is definitely for you. If you are thinking of starting your own crochet business than read these tips for making your venture a success.

1. DON'T TARGET CRAFTERS.

We tend to follow people who share our creative flare. And at the moment you must be following many fellow crafters social media and it may be tempting to invite them to buy your stuff. They may follow you back but they are skilled enough to make one such item for themselves, most probably and hence you won’t be able to sell. Try to target non-crafters. They are the people who are most interested in buying your handmade goodies rather than the technique you used to create it.

2. DON'T UNDERVALUE YOURSELF

You are unique! Do not try to undervalue your craft or work. Be positive and confident. Always remember that they (your competitors) can do stuff like you but they are not you.

Moreover price your products fairly. There are many different formulas to figure out the perfect price but at the very minimum you need to factor in how much your time is worth in terms of pounds per hour, the cost of materials and other expenses such as selling fees. Remember, just because you might be reluctant to pay that price for the item, that doesn't mean there isn't a viable market out there made up of people who would be willing to pay it.

3. KNOW THE LAW

Don’t steal the patterns. Use them with the permission of the authors or buy them. Or maybe you can make your own patterns. Avoid using someone else’s work as your own.

4. FIND YOUR NICHE

Crocheting is wide field and you can make amazingly huge number of things with this technique. But you don’t need to. Find the things you are most comfortable in making and the things that are easy for you to cope up with. You should focus on things that you can do. You don’t need to jump into everything and end up being tired and leaving your startup for good. It can also put your prospecting buyers off. Find your target rather than trying to appeal everyone.

5. MAKE YOUR PRESENCE ONLINE.

Almost all us are aware of social media and use it to connect to people. Use this super great tool to promote your business. Tell them that you are there. Make you presence more impact. How are you going to sell if no one knows about your startup? Advertise with the social media giants. I think this needs more detail, so I will be up with the blog post for that very soon.

6. CREATE YOUR BRAND

Yes, this is one of the most important things that you will need. Your shop should have a sound name that is easy to remember and speak. Make the look and feel of your shop so appealing that people come to your shop again and again. Make the customer seller interaction easy. Create your logo and design your shop before you go public. This will have more impact on the minds of people.

I hope these tips were helpful and I wish you luck with your new business.

Don’t forget to follow and pin this post.

Thanks.