I like this kinda cooking which takes very little prep time and is healthy and delicious. Need: Pad Thai Rice noodles - 1 small package Green Onions diced Extra firm tofu diced - 1/2 pack (I like to sauté it or air fry it before hand to keep the cubes intact) Tamari or GF soy sauce - 2tbsp Sriracha Sauce or other Garlic hot sauce you prefer - 1 tbsp Thai Kitchen - Sweet red chili sauce - 1- 2 tbsp Thai Kitchen - Red curry paste 1 tbsp Minced Garlic 2 tsp Minced Ginger 2 tsp Sesame Oil 1 tbsp Chili flakes if you want it extra spicy. How: Boil the noodles and cook them in water with some oil to make sure they stay separate, according to the package instructions. I like mine a little softer so I cook them few minutes more than the package recommendations. Strain them and run cold water on them. In a pan add 1 tbsp of Sesame oil, add garlic and ginger, Once that browns a little, add in all the ingredients except Tofu, onions and noodlesand mix well. Add the tofu and noddles at the end. Add Green onions last and mix well with a light hand to make sure the tofu doesn't break. Thats it. Enjoy!! Loved this article? Subscribe to my email list for more awesome blogs and news from me!

Do you ever feel the pressure to get this one just right?! I know I do...so I'm sharing some of my more creative ideas. Hope they help! All Copper Water Bottle Copper is a proven anti-bacterial, and lots of in-the-know parents, let their water sit in a fully copper water bottle to take advantage of the mineral-enriching qualities...this bottle is both beautiful and a great companion for the health-minded among us. Copper has been the preferred vessel for water storage since ancient times. Aromatherapy Diffuser and Oils Diffuse aromatherapy oils and add a bit of the starry night sky with this handmade glass and wood diffuser. I like to have oil diffusing in every room of the house...it masks cooking and smoking type odors and more importantly, I like to use essential oils for their known health benefits for everything around the moon! Clove oil dulls pain. Lavender promotes restful sleep. Eucalyptus is wonderful for clearing runny noses and I put a few drops in the steam shower sometimes. One of my faves is Cheer Up Buttercup for just creating a great mood. Massage Chair Massagers are the holy grail of chairs and everyone I know who gets one, basically spends all their time enjoying it. For the parents in your life, plop them in one of these for a great night of tv/movie watching. (Hint: you may have to wake them at the end of the show--so relaxing! They will love you forever) Slippers My feet are always a little chilly, so this may be me projecting what I love on the in-laws, however I do know that when we age, our circulation diminishes a little bit by little bit. Keeping their feet warm is a key to temperature regulation. Scuffs just won't do. These, though, are pure perfection because they wrap up the ankle for a warm little snuggle. I love how these are hand crocheted and for that...you will be surprised how low the price is! They're so cute too! Bhajan Vani Bluetooth Speaker This little guy is a huge hit with the parents as it's so unique and authentic...for sure! It creates positive energy in the home, office or any space. It's preloaded with 1008 bhakti songs. Bhajans, Aartis, Mantras, Jaaps & Stotras devoted to 8 deities featuring Anup Jalota, Suresh Wadkar, Anuradha Paudwal & others. Amethyst Bio Mat by Richway My entire life I've read about the benefits of the Amethyst Bio Mat. It is said to be detoxifying, provide rapid healing and pain relief. Originally, I thought I wanted the full sized mat, but I had a friend with one and I learned the big size never came out--then I had a friend with this Mini and...perfection! I've placed it on my office desk chair for long days of work and I've taken it to bed with me and slept all night absorbing all the healing goodness. I love it! As our parents age, they invariably end up with life's aches and pains showing up, so why not try this, right? They'll have it forever and you can all use it! Infrared Sauna More healing is on my list and in the best of ways. We just remodeled our house and put in an infrared sauna. We use it ALL the time...it's wonderful! Research is showing that the benefits of infrared saunas include: detoxification, pain relief, immunity, weight loss, relaxation, circulation, anti-aging, wound healing, muscle recovery and more! Who doesn't need all that?!?! Compression Socks Reduce foot and leg swelling and improve circulation and oxygen delivery with compression socks. These have graduated pressure and also help with cramping. You can wear these socks for any activity. They are actually pretty amazing. They get the job done! Warm Beanie You can see I've focused a lot of these gift ideas on keeping warm, improving health and circulation--all of which are even more important for our parents and in-laws during the colder months. We lose most of our heat from the tops of our heads, so the easiest remedy is to just cover them. These are super cute--totally my colors. I've put some additional suggestions underneath in case your loved one prefers a different style. Foot Massager Sometimes, the full on massage chair is just too much...too much money or too big to keep in the living room and a better option is a foot and calf massager. I have one of these and all you need to do is plop me in a chair (could be me with the laptop!) and I can let it do the work for an hour! hahah. This one comes with a little vibration option, different speeds and modes, an automatic stop (in case you fall asleep!). Has a handle to make it portable, plus a cover for when not in use. Wooden Spice Box Spices are at the heart of our kitchen and for the cook in the family, it's really nice for them to have a beautiful place to store and grab spices from. This box is handmade from Sheesham Wood, then polished with a food-safe lacquer. There are 12 removable compartments and it can double as a medicine box or even a trinket or jewelry box. I hope you like the beautiful, unique things on this list and that they inspire your gift-giving. If you have great ideas to add, I welcome you commenting on the post as it helps us all. Let's keep in touch! Join my email list below. #giftguide #parentgiftguide #inlawgiftguide #massagechair #footmassager #sauna #infraredsauna #compressionsocks #copper #copperwaterbottle #slippers #beanie #hat #warm #spicebox #jewelrybox #biomat #richwaybiomat #amethystmat #aromatherapy #aromatherapydiffuser #diffuser #essentialoils

Sometime's you just look at your friends and think "you need to relax!" It can be hard when life is so stressful to find that time to unwind and take care of yourself like you need. I've compiled a list of relaxation oriented gifts to help your friends take that much needed down time. Enjoy! Let's go! Salt Lamp The soothing glow of this salt lamp is enough to put anyone at ease. It sets the perfect atmosphere for self care too. They are even thought to make your air clearer too! If you want to try some unconventional shapes, you can look at this one which is a beautiful salt bowl filled with smaller chunks of himalayan salt, this set of three polygon-shaped salt nightlights, this one shaped liked a puppy, or a more modern cylindrical shaped lamp. Weighted Blanket Cozy up with this literal hug of a blanket. You can even pick the weight of it! I like this one better than the traditional flannely versions because of the unique knitted texture. Curling up under this for an evening of movies sounds so dreamy! Silk Scrunchies Your hair deserves as much love as you give yourself and these scrunchies are just what it needs. These luxurious scrunchies will stop unnecessary breakage and make you feel all put together and totally stylish. No more ponytail dents! Origins Aromatherapy Heat Pack Wrap your body in the warmth of cinnamon, clove and lemon and relieve all the tension in your back, arms, legs and neck! Also comes in this version, infused with peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender. 'Me Time" becomes "Spa Time". Well Told Beauty Sleep Supplements Organic Lemon Balm and antioxidant-rich raspberries infuse this vegan supplement naturally-occurring melatonin to help you sleep more deeply and wake up feeling refreshed. This company also makes a Stress Fighter version filled with Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Maitaki. Other goods ones though not technically 'relaxing' are Anti-Bloating, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Energy. Aveda Chakra Balancing Spray Pure essential oils are blended in this pure-fume spray to balance the intuition chakra. When the intuition chakra is balanced, one feels strong intuition, a connection to one's self and mentally fit. Aveda offers a completely different spray for balancing each of the chakras. Wanderflower Sleep Well Set Drift off into peaceful, restful sleep with this beautiful kit. Inside you will find a silky eye mask, lavender perfume oil and lavender pillow spray. Packaged so nicely, it's the ideal hostess gift. Cashmere Socks Whoever said socks were a boring gift, never laid eyes on these creatures. Made from 100% Mongolian Cashmere, they're like giving each foot an individual puppy to warm it! We love puppies, right? UV Smartphone Sanitizer Since we are all learning that looking at the blue light coming from our phones interrupts sleep, when you go to bed, drop your phone in this UV Phone Sanitzer. It can charge at the same time. I saw this on Shark Tank and immediately went out and bought one. You should see the experiment that demonstrates how gross our phones get all day when we lay them places and touch them, so everything we touch all day ends up on the phone. Yick. I've loved cleansing my family's cell phones especially during the time of Corona. The bulbs in it are scientifically proven to be germicidal. It only takes 10 minutes so easy to use throughout the day too. Cute Pajamas I sleep better when I feel cute, don't you? 😉 PJ Salvage is a California brand, where I live, so I am partial to the luxury essentials they make in so many cute patterns. They have long been a go-to for me for sleepwear. Specific patterns sell out quickly, so I've put a few other darling choices for sleep and lounge wear below. Teddy Bear Cozy Robe It's like walking around wrapped in your favorite plush animal! Soooooooo soft and cuddly. It's on such a good sale right now at Pottery Barn you can buy one for yourself AND for a friend! Never miss an update by signing up for our email list!

Tech gifts are seriously fun because they are literally new and improved each year. These for some reason also tend to be really great kind of gifts for guys (?)...maybe except the awesome scale on the list that measures bone density, body fat % and muscle (should I really 💜 this like I do? I keep it all to myself in my bathroom). For all that muscle, the scale is SO inexpensive at only like $35.⁠ Oh there is so much goodness in this guide!⁠ Let's go.... Saregama Caravan Retro is back! This Saregama Caravan comes preloaded with 5000 evergreen songs and you can pick your language: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali or Tamil. My in-laws are 100% in love with theirs! Yours will be too! Sunrise Alarm Clock If someone is an early riser this is especially helpful for them. The Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock allows you to wake up naturally, as if with the sun. Doctor recommended apparently for helping people establish good sleep/wake routines. Any which way, it's a nice, gentle way to greet the day. Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Toothbrush I've used Sonicare since they came out and when Philips launched the Diamond Care line, which is slimmer, more beautiful and comes in my favorite color (purple), it was a no-brainer for me. You literally feel like you've just been to the dentist for a teeth cleaning after every brush. This is a go-to gift for friends and family. Garmin Vivosmart 3 Activity Tracker Garmin is the gold standard in the world of fitness and activity tracking. A super quality product, you can't go wrong. Track steps, heart rate, floors climbed, calories burned and overall fitness. Has a relaxation-based breathing timer which is pretty cool plus all-day stress tracking. We all need this, right? Bose Soundlink Wireless Headphones II Don't be limited by a cord! Go wireless. Cool thing about these is they still come with a cord so you can use them with airplane entertainment systems. In my opinion Bose makes the best headphones for sound performance. If you really want to splurge on someone, go for the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700. They come for a limited time in this luscious Triple Midnight color that is to die for. And the styling is even more sleek than these below. Bose also offers a couple really great options for sport earphones. The Bose Sport Earbuds fit independently in your ears and they fit snuggly so they actually STAY in your ears whether you're doing sit ups or sprints. The most inexpensive optio coming in under $100 is the Bose Wireless Sport headphones that have a cord between them to make them easier to find, harder to lose. Apple AirPods Pro For everyday (non-sport) use, the Apple AirPods Pro are what you see millennials wearing on the street (you know...they look a little bit like q-tips?) These offer a nice, noise-canceling experience that makes your music, podcast or phone call an immersive experience even if you're walking the busy streets of the city. Now at Apple they are even offering free engraving on the cases--choose emoji's, letters or numbers. Blue Light Blocking Glasses Do you know everyone should be wearing blue light glasses if they look at a screen (phone, tv, computer) at all? From our devices we get exposed to harmful blue light which is known to trigger macular degeneration (ya...we don't need that). So protect your eyes and those you love with these inexpensive glasses to wear while working. You don't need a prescription, but they do offer reader strengths. Smart Body Fat Bathroom Scale This is the least expensive smart scale I've ever seen (under $50) and it works as well as the $250 Tanita one my husband bought years back. Get info on BMI, body water, visceral fat, bone mass, body age, and more. What I love most is that I'm an Apple phone user and when my husband bought his, he is an Android user. So I could never get my data without logging in to computer attached to it. THIS scale conveniently and easily connects with an iPhone app that seamlessly transfers the data for you to 'analyze' and tracks it for you. Love, love, love. Google Nest Outdoor Security Camera Your man wants to protect you...give him a way you can both enjoy. The Google Nest Outdoor Security Camera can be easily mounted with a screwdriver...and maybe you might need a drill depending where you put. Then both of you can survey your domain to see when packages get delivered, when guests arrived and keep a constant eye on any nefarious activity out there! Bose Soundlink Portable Micro Bluetooth Speaker Tiny, until you turn it on and find out it is both Siri and Google Voice connected! You can also gather your friends around it for a speaker phone call. Woot woot. It's waterproof and pretty cool for listening on the go or in your room. A Lighter Like You've Never Known Before You can't even believe this one and it is truly high tech. No more throwing away cheap, short-lived plastic lighters from the drug store. This one has no flame. No butane. Totally safe. This lighter uses an electrical pulse and plasma technology. Because of this, the 'flame' can't be blown out by a gust of wind when camping or boating. It's also splash proof and get this: it's rechargeable! 500 lights on a single USB charge. You gotta try it! Besides the bendy head means you can get into candles where the wick has gotten buried in the wax. 😆 and finally..... Tile Tracker Use this to keep track of all the things you bought above. Handy little app pairs with it. Put a Tile Tracker in everyone's stocking and they will never lose anything again (perfectly handy on my husband's golf bag, my son's car keys, my daughter's ice skate tote and my cousin's gym bag. I've tucked them into suitcases too...cuz you never know) I hope you found this gift guide useful! Let's keep in touch: #giftguide #giftideas #holidayshopping #liketoknowit #Giftspo #techgiftguide #techgifts #tiletracker #bose #headphones #speakers #nest #nestcamera #googlenest #bodyfatscale #scale #airpods #garmin #fitnesstracker #sunrisealarmclock #alarmclock #sonicaretoothbrush #philips #toothbrush #saregama #caravan #music #bluelightglasses

Let's talk gifts for the kitchen! I LOVE to cook and few things make cooking more exciting than fun gadgets, table settings and accessories! Sharing these with my friends and family just makes it all the better, so here are a few of the items that ill be gifting this year for the cooks and food lovers in my life: So let's dive into it! Marble Coated Flat Pan If you follow me on Instagram you know that I just can't get enough of this pan! It's amazing for warming up roti's, dosas and even making quesadilla's. It gets better the more you use it and mine has lasted me years already. I love this pan! A Good (and stylish) Apron A good apron is like a super heroes cape in the kitchen, it protects you (and your clothes) from everything. I am a particular fan of Anthropologie's aprons and this one is just so stylish and you can pick between orange and blue. Anthropologie has tons of cute aprons though so while you're there check out some of the extras linked below! Panini Press I love my Panini Press almost more than my Toaster Oven. Like seriously, I even put my toast in here sometimes. If you have a foodie in your life, this one is great for their kitchen. It feels so decadent to make yourself a panini fresh on this George Foreman press. Spice grinder (aka Coffee Grinder) This is a stable in any Desi kitchen, having a nice one of these can make the job so much easier. Plus there's nothing like the smell of fresh ground spices wafting through the kitchen! Stainless Steel Spice Box If you grind your own spices, you're definitely going to need one of these! When i grind my spices, they go straight from the grinder into my masala box. It's great for keeping your area neat and is easy to use with the clear lid and the stainless steel is a dream to clean. This one makes a great addition to any household. Thermador Oven This one is such a treat. I just got mine this year and I can't get enough of it. It's big enough that I can cook for my whole family and is such a sleek appliance. It's a steam oven so unlike my old one I don't have to worry about anything getting dry which is so great when I have a big production going on. If you are looking for a new oven, this one is for you! Gold Cutlery Gold cutlery is very one trend right now, and why shouldn't they be? they're gorgeous! I like the shape of this set plus they also have a rose gold option. These would be perfect for any Holiday table! Plates Next of course, you need a pretty set of plates to match your stylish cutlery! These ones have a nice matte finish and organic texture that make them some of my favorites. They come in a plethora of colors and you can get the matching bowls and other plate sizes too. Check out the full sets below Glass Straws If you don't have glass straws yet, this one is a must! These ones are so pretty and come with a handy cleaning tool. They are a sustainable solution for our evolving world which I love. They make a fun stocking stuffer too! Instant Pot I love my Instant Pot. You can make so much in this thing, anything from stew to yogurt. It takes so little effort to use too! Instant Pot makes tons of versions (one is even bluetooth!) so if this one doesn't fit your needs, they've got other sizes, capabilities and finishes. If you make something with it, tag me on Instagram @SanskarTeaching so I can see what yummy things you make! And Finally! A Vitamix Blender I use this blender SO MUCH! Not only is it great for smoothies (drank with glass straws of course :) it is also perfect for sauce making! This is one of those kitchen items I just can't live without. And that's it! (for now at least ;) you can always come check back to the blog because sometimes inspiration strikes again! For more gift guide announcements, follow me @SanskarTeaching on Instagram to see all the wonderful gifts I'm giving this year. P.S. I also love to give gifts to YOU, keep up with our Instagram to learn about giveaways, deals and all things Sanskar Teaching! You can also sign up for our email list. #ninja #anthropologie #goldflatware #dishes #kitchen #instantpot #glassstraws #thermador #spicebox #kitchenaid #georgeforeman #flatpan #apron #cooks

Why are the men in our lives notoriously hard to buy for?! I am constantly on the hunt for something interesting to give-- not your 'typical guy gift' of a tie, mug, or socks. I curated this Gift Guide by asking my own husband what he wants to receive...which is why you will see golf items and a Breitling watch in this guide! :-) Be sure to get all the way to the bottom to see what I think is the best gift ever a guy will love. Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Watch Watches are a man's jewelry, and this Breitling with the blue face really pops on his wrist. He could easily sport it with the Nike Killshot Sneakers below. My own husband as well as the hubby of my best friend, are watch 'collectors'...meaning they like a lot of different watch styles that they can change out with their outfits. Falcon Ridge Slippers by Sorel Honestly, everyone (me included) can use a new pair of slippers come wintertime. Even the guys (I recently caught my husband borrowing a pair of mine secretly! 😆) Even if you live in California like we do, it gets chilly in Winter (ok...so you don't think 46°F is cold...but WE do!) and toes need warming. These are stylish AND get the job done. Suede upper, wool/poly cozy inside and rubber sole for those quick trips outside...which we all do even if we are just in socks! Since slipper style is uniquely personal, I have put some other pretty cool ones in the slider below. Hand Forged Ulu Knife Manly, right? Also handy if your guy is a cook. 1080 high carbon blade gives it lasting power. Walnut and burnt bone make it just beautiful. How can he not feel cool with this?! When researching cool knives, I've found a few more which I've put below too. Garmin Dash Cam Mini As small as a car key, this mounts discreetly behind your rear view mirror. 1080 HD video means no grainy recordings. Sees 140 degrees. You can view your incident video from your phone app (we love that). Once plugged in, it records continuously. We all know this is so he can prove to you it was actually the other guy! Nike Killshot Sneaker Wear this with the Breitling Watch above and hit the town totally styling. I love these sneakers so much! Classic styling comes gets modernized by picking the pair in Green, Navy, Black or Red. Tumi Brief Pack My husband traded out his briefcase for this Tumi Brief pack and couldn't be happier. First of all, it frees his hands for carrying his golf clubs when he's traveling. But seriously, the backpack IS the new briefcase for the man of today. The Tumi brand IS expensive, but for good reason. It is well and thoughtful designed and made to last a lifetime. Lots of organized interior and exterior pockets including dedicated laptop space and exterior waterproof pocket for umbrella or water bottle. Comes with Tumi Tracer, which if you don't know what that is, in today's day and age, you should click through and read about it. A lifesaver. Master Class Who doesn't love learning? This is the easiest, and most innovative idea to come around recently. Big celebrities become teachers in their fields, so he can learn cooking from Gordon Ramsey, Songwriting from Alicia Keys, Skateboarding from Tony Hawk, Poker from Daniel Negreanu, Business Strategy and Leadership from Bob Iger and oh so many more amazing masters. New classes are added every month and I've done it....the class lessons are all 10-30 minutes each and maybe up to 20 lessons. Each course is different. Like my own Digital Gujarati Classes, all of these can be taken at your own pace. Currently they have a holiday special offering 2 subscriptions for the price of one. Can't beat that! Dr Squatch Men's Soap This is a hot and trendy gift FOR SURE. Dr Squatch is establishing itself a name as a seriously well-made, organic, smells good line of quality products with a fun and funny image that people can relate too. They offer men-friendly soaps, shampoos/conditioners, toothpastes and deodorants. Top of every product page on their site hosts the most hilarious videos...think the style of Poo-pourri when they launched. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a whole lotta fun just to watch the videos. Buy one-off items or subscribe. They have a holiday special on now to save 40%. If nothing else, you HAVE to take their soap quiz! Callaway Golf Clubs My man loves golf and can't get enough of it (in fact as I'm writing this he is off at a match). Callaway is the name you go for when looking for clubs at any level. Give your guy the gift of a little R&R. If you too have an avid golfer in your household, you may want to buy some extra golf-y items for stocking stuffers like tees, golf gloves, balls (even though they never lose them!) or for a big splurge, a laser rangefinder! The Strata Tour Package Set is designed for increased performance on every shot (who doesn't need THAT kind of help?!) . Set includes: Driver, 3 Wood, 4 & 5 hybrid, 6 - 9 iron, PW & SW, Putter, Stand Bag, and 4 Head covers Theragun Percussive Therapy This is a hand-held device that treats muscle soreness in everyone--including professional athletes! Perfect for your weekend warrior who might be sore from jogging, cycling, golfing or weight lifting! This is similar in many ways to what massage therapists do for you (but you don't need an appt!) Super popular in slow-motion these days on Instagram 😁 people use Theragun to treat pain, stress, workout recovery and also to help with sleep. Generally, it increases blood flow, skin temp, reduces inflammation and tension. It's a feel-good gift and perfect for your guy after you give him the Callaway Clubs above! Yeti Tundra 45 Super Cooler There is always use for a sturdy cooler. Think beach, camping, fishing, hunting, parties. Yeti coolers are the best. It's like they're engineered by people who really use them and know what you need: built-in tie down slots so you can tie it to your boat or camper, a freezer-quality lid to beat back the sun, non-slip feet so it won't slide off the back of a truck or boat, a rugged easy drain...and more. Plus, this is a man's gift when you know the thing that I like best about it: all the fun colors it comes in (even pink!) Aluminum Wallet Want to eliminate that wallet-shaped mark in his jeans? This sleek aluminum wallet by The Ridge does the trick in style! How? It holds up to 12 cards without stretching out. It can also hold cash. Sleek and minimalist, it's metal, so it's a really unique gift. Comes in lots of colors, my faves being the navy, gunmetal or gold. Gillette Heated Razor OMG! Best gift ever for a guy. Who thinks of these things? But for guys, who shave every single day of their adult lives, who wouldn't want it to be warm? Cast away that chilly morning shave! I think this is the go-to gift for every single man in your life. It heats in just one second and is waterproof so he can take it in the shower with him. He will feel like he went to the barber for a luxurious shave. Hope you like these ideas. Keep an eye on my Instagram stories because when I come across something truly wonderful I throw it up there with a swipe up to help you find it. And if you have any great suggestions, leave them in the comments below. See you out there! #giftguide #holidaygiftsforhim #giftsforhim #holidaygiftguide #shopping #heatedrazor #aluminumwallet #nike #sneakers #yeti #icechest #masterclass #theragun #callaway #golf #tumi #backpack #garmin #dashcam #drsquatch #soap #slippers #breitling #watch

Shopping for your Kids can be both fun and overwhelming. Finding something that is truly unique (and that they actually want) can be a true task. Since I am always looking for fun and fantastical gifts for the kids in my family, I figured I could share my list with you! Here are a few Gift Ideas for Kids and Teens that I am giving this year: Galaxy Projector I can't think of many things more magical than stargazing! This Galaxy projector will turn your ceiling into your own personal night sky. To be honest, this gift is great for all ages and can really make a room so magical. Other Projector options ⬇️ Personalized Crayon Box This gift will surely make a child feel special. I love to encourage creativity with my gifts, especially for little ones and crayons check (or should i say color in?) that box. These Personalized Crayons are so cute and colorful and will bring a smile to their faces every time they open up the box! Instax Polaroid Camera Polaroids have never gone out of style! There's something about that instant satisfaction of seeing your photo develop before your eyes that is just so exciting. This modern take is an instant love and they have some pretty fun colors! I would recommend pairing this with a few cartridges of film because they are for sure going to want to start taking pictures right away! Play Station 5 This gift is particularly trendy right now and can be hard to even get your hands on! My son tells me though that this is definitely a winning gift. This is the only place I can currently find the console online. Vespa Balance Bike Oh My Gosh this is so cute!! I seriously wish my own kids were little again so that I could buy this for my house. Alas, i will have to settle for buying this for all my friends with little ones ;) Balance bikes (or Trikes in this case) are a great toy for tots to scoot around the house with before they are ready for pedals. This one is great for little, little kids! Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls Book Empowering women is so important to me and has played a role in my business from the very beginning. I love books like these because they teach girls from a young age that being bold and brave and rebellious is some thing that should be encouraged and celebrated. Sailing Ship Kite Adventures await with a day of cloud-sailing with this gorgeous Kite. This gift is not only a great activity but it is also beautiful just sitting in your child's room. You may even consider encouraging your child to paint the kite to truly make it special. SpikeBall Game I see people playing this game at the park by my house all the time and they look like they have sooo much fun. The gist of the game is that you pretty much try to bounce the ball off the net and not be the person to miss (kind of like tennis?). It's one of those great family games that are easy to learn and can be taken to big gatherings, to the park or played in the yard. Origami Paper Magic This gift is brimming with creative potential, with beautiful illustrations and instructions to make magic out of paper. It's one of those activities that encourage creative thinking and problem solving (and it claims to boost hand eye coordination!). LED Strip Lights These lights are crazy popular with teens on TikTok right now. Although most teens stick them to the wall, they can also create some really cool ambiances. I've seen people stick them under their bed to create a built in nightlight. Whatever you want to do with them, they are pretty darn cool! Felt Veggie Garden Set I love toys like these for little little kids, not only are they adorable but they are also safe to throw around (and occasionally chew on!). There are infinite ways to play with these leaving no limit to your child's imagination. and finally..... Activity Table With Storage Cups Having a place to draw, play and create is important growing up. This table with storage cups is great because it means all that they will need to create can be stored in the handy cups. Let them get Crafty this year with this dedicated art space! Check out these other similar (and equally cute) options too! Bonus Ideas! ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Wooden Balance Board These boards are so cool, you can turn them into just about anything you can imagine (including a swing!). They are great for balance development too and come in various sizes for different ages. Mochi Ice Cream Kit How fun is this? I love learning new cooking skills and this one looks pretty cool (I kind of want to try making these now too!). This kit comes with everything you need to make these delicious ice cream treats! Did you have a favorite (or any ideas of your own)? Let me know in the comments! Sign up for our email list for more gift guides, culture, and language learning! #giftguide #giftideas #holidayshopping #liketoknowit #Giftspo #kidsgiftideas #teensgiftideas #activitytable #starprojector #softvegetableplayset #Origamipapermagic #SpikeBall #PersonalizedCrayonBox #Polaroid #instaxmini #VespabalanceBike #SailingShipKite #GoodNightStoriesForRebelGirls #Playstation5 #PS5 #LTKGiftspo #cutegifts #fungifts #kidsgifts #bestgiftideas #christmasgiftsideas #giftlist #balanceboard

It's that time of year when I share all my Gift Guides! I'm starting the season off with the one closest to my heart...for beauty lovers. We all have ladies in our lives who love beauty and self-care and the opportunities can be endless and sometimes tough to narrow down. So i've curated this list to be my person, literal favorites. These are all things I use and think you and yours will love them too~ 💛 Face care and skin care are my biggest priorities. The brands I gravitate towards tend to include natural ingredients because I feel the safest with them. Elemis This company blows my mind...every product they sell smells soooooo good and performs equally well. This Pro-Collagen Marine Cream has Ginkgo Biloba, Padina Pavonika and Chlorella and the promise of SPF 30! Clinically proven to reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! I'm all in for that. You want to really blow someone away with happiness this Christmas, get them the Pro-Collagen Stars of the Show full of the full line of collagen goodness. Living Proof Instant Clean Set I have plenty of days I get up and don't feel like doing my full-on hair ritual...and still need to look like I have picture-perfect hair! Here's my trick. Perfect hair with out all the work. Seriously. Dry shampoo, baby! The small one is ideal for throwing in your purse for a midday hair pick-me-up. Gift this set to someone who wants to be glamorous and doesn't have time for the full routine. You'll both feel great! Unite Hair Serum and 7-Second Detangler This is a leave-in detangled and a life-saver for getting out of the pool or ocean. I use it every time I get out of the shower. They say it's ideal for chemically-treated hair (not that I would know!) Seals the cuticle and helps protect from UV rays. Silk Bathrobe Feel luxurious when you get out of the shower or up in the morning. It's a bit of glamour in the every day. I just love a good robe, so here are some other great ones. Click on the image to check out the ones you like. (secret: the Parachute Home waffle robe is awesome!) Tru Spa Sculpting Beauty Set, Dual End Roller and Gua Sha Stone Jade is the preferred stone to use for Gua She and if you don't know what that is, there is a wonderful article here. This set is all you need to lift and tone the skin on your face and neck and keep your lymph flowing at its best! Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm Open the lid and breathe in the yummy winter scent of clove. Infused with Loofah Seed and Moringa Oi lthey restore skin flexibility. This is a gift that presents itself as a true ritual. The balm comes with it's own muslin cloth to wrap around your face like a professional facialist. Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Candle Everything Jo Malone smells heavenly. This candle is a great way to infuse your entire home with the scents, but if you want to wear it all day, try their colognes or, my favorite, the Body Cream. TBH each time I replenish the Body Cream, I choose a different scent because my experience has made me confident to know they ALL smell amazing. Never-fail best scents are Peony and Blush Suede, Orange Blossom, and English Pear and Freesia. Ugg Shearling Slippers Winter means we all need a good pair of super snuggly slippers. The natural shearling means long-lasting warmth. Who doesn't love jumping out of bed and jumping into socks-off slippers? Very few things feel as luxurious, especially if your bathroom is tiled. Uggs does slippers right. I love these Ugg ones but below are some other slippers I adore. May Lindstrom Skin Products If you haven't tried any of May Lindstrom's Skin care rituals yet you are definitely gonna be happy you do now. My personal Favorites are Blue Cocoon and the Problem Solver but I truly love everything in her skincare lineup (and trust me, i've tried them all) I've loved watching her brand grow over the years and appreciate how even now (being practically a household brand) she hasn't compromised any of her values. All of her products are handmade and all natural and they leave your skin feeling refreshed and glowy. If your beauty lover hasn't heard of her yet, they'll thank you for introducing them to May Lindstrom. It's seriously that good! Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase This luxurious pillow case not only feels like heaven but also prevents unnecessary hair breakage while you sleep! It's 100% mulberry silk and comes in a bunch of gorgeous colors (including a beautiful emerald green). It's also great for you skin and doesn't take away any precious moisture while you sleep. At this point, why wouldn't you want to sleep on one of these?! See you out there with me shopping on the inter webs! (isn't this just SO fun?!?!) #giftguide #holidaygiftsforher #giftsforher #beauty #beautygifts #selfcare #skincare #elemis #maylindstromskin #silkpillow #slippers #candles #jomalone #colleenrothschild #facecare #unite #guasha #silkrobe #jaderoller #livingproof #dryshampoo

by Kesar Patel Ingredients: * 1/4 cup Coconut Milk (thicker version) * 1/4 cup Cinnamon flavor unsweetened apple sauce * 1/2 cup Coconut oil solid - soft * 1 and 1/4 cups light brown sugar packed * 2 tsp vanilla extract * 1 tsp baking soda * 1/2 tsp salt * 2 cups Vegan chocolate chips/chunks or for the Pistachio Cardamom version 1 cup small pieces of cashews and pistachios and 2 tsp of Cardamom * 2 and 1/3 cups All purpose flour for Regular version - for GLUTEN FREE use 1 cup Almond flour, 1 cup quinoa flour and 1/3 cup Potato starch How to make them: * Preheat to 375 and line baking sheet with parchment paper * In a bowl mix coconut oil, brown sugar and vanilla beating and combing well. Add the coconut milk and applesauce and whisk until well combined. Put it aside * In another bowl combine flour mix, baking soda and salt and whisk well * Add the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients using a wooden spoon or strong spatula. Batter will be thick now you can add your chocolate chip or the Nut mix. * Scoop it up and leave some spaces in between the cookies as it will spread. * Bake for 9-10 minutes * Cool and Enjoy. Liked this recipe and want more? Sign up for our email list! #recipe #baking #cookies #Vegan #GlutenFree #Chocolate #Pistachio #Cardamom

If you grew up in a Gujarati household you know what this vegetable or beans are. Many family members outside of India love growing this in their backyard so they can have this goodness fresh out of their gardens. The actual beans inside it have a distinct taste and especially the way this shaak is prepared. Papadi can be green or purple, long, short, small beans and large beans. There is one in particular that is called Surati Papadi and Vaalor Papadi. Cleaning and preparing these takes time but then any good thing worth having does, doesn't it? "You don't put jeeru in the vaghaar for Papadi"- I was told when I was a young newly wed and was trying to impress my new family with my cooking skills. I did not grow up learning how to cook or in a foodie family but definitely married into one where people show love to each other by cooking, sharing and feeding exciting, delicious dishes to each other. Indian spice box - Masala no dabbo has certain spices in particular Rai(mustard seeds), Jeeru(cumin seeds) and Ajmo(Ajwain seeds) for tempering (Tadakaa or Vaghaar). Specific shaak or dishes take any combination of these three. I learned that Papadi nu shaak tastes way better when you use Ajmo in the vaghaar. Here is a simple recipe I have learned from my mother in law: Need: 1tbsp oil 1 tsp ajmo seeds 1/2 tsp rai/mustard seeds(optional) 1 cup prepared Papadi (discard everything else but the beans and tender(kumadi) ones in pieces) 1/2 tsp haldi (Turmeric powder) 1 tsp Salt 2 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp minced green chili peppers 3/4 cup of Water How: In a small pressure cooker (You need this or you can cook longer in a regular pot as this will take a little longer to cook then other beans), add the oil add the ajmo seeds and let them pop or brown slightly add the garlic, salt and turmeric add the bean add the chili minced add the water, stir and let it cook for at least 3-4 whistles on the pressure cooker or for 7-10 min on medium heat on a stove top. Sign up for my mailing list for more recipes, language learning, and culture! #Papadi #veggies #beans #culture #recipe #tumeric #vegan

Yes! Car Pooja is a thing (sometimes misspelled Puja). Many of us desi folks value and treasure our cars and being able to afford one and buy one is considered a blessing. These traditions and rituals are simple and you don't have to dress up like I am in this picture. This just happened to be on the same day we had a Satyanarayan ni Katha at our house so I am all decked out. Many Hindus around the world perfrom this ceremony to bless the vehicle that will take them safely from one place to another. Of course I would be blessing my Honda Accord. How many south asian folks you know who have or at one point owned a Honda? Interesitng story behind this car is that when I got this car I must have been around 24 and I had just gotten married as well. My brother was only 18 or 19 and one night after having the car for a week we were coming home from Taco Bell and I said "hey can you fill up the car, I am gonna stay in" and of course he wanted to feel like a grown up and got out paid for it and filled it up. We left the gas station and came around to a stop sign and my car would not start. I panicked as this was brand new car, I called my husband and he said did you by any chance fill up diesel in the car? and my poor brother was mortified, he must have accidentally filled up diesel in this car. Luckily they were able to fix the car at the dealer ship. Back to our Car pooja part, one of the reasons Hindus perform this ceremony is to bless and protect the car from all evil eye and accidents. Many folks invite a priest to perform the ritual and you can if you like or you can do this at home for your self. Here is what you need and how you can do this: You don't need everything you see in the picture: What you need: Four lemons Coconut Divo / Diya Agarbatti / Incense Kanku (Red holy powder) (Water to make a little bit of paste) Chokhaa (Rice) Prasad (Usually Jaggery or gaud is fine) Small figurine or statue of Ganesh or any other God or Spritiual symbol How to Perform the ritual: Put the four lemons under the four tires. Put 5 small dots with with Kanku and put Chokhaa on the hood of the car as you recite "OM GAM GANAPATYE NAMAH" or the Gayatri Mantra. Break open the coconut on the concrete outside the Car and sprinkle the coconut water on all four tires while reciting the Mantra. Light a diya and incense and come inside the car and wave the light and fragrance all around with your hands Sit in the driver seat, put the symbol of Ganesha or other on the dashboard, many choose to stick the small symbol to remind them of the blessing and protection every time they are in the vehicle. Close your eyes and recite the Mantra 5 times and thank God and angles for your blessings and protection. Take blessings by bowing to your elders and share the Prasad (sweet offerings) with everyone to celebrate. You can also use this Specific Mantra for Travel safety as well: "VIVAADE VISHAADE PRAMAADE PRAVAASHE JALE CHAANALE SHATRU MADHAYE, ARANYE SHARANYE SADAA MAAM PAAHI GATISTAVUM GATISTAVUM TVMEKAA BHAVAANI" Meaning: During Dispute and Quarrel, during Despair and Dejection, during Intoxication and Insanity, in Foreign Land, In Water, and Fire, in Mountains and Hills, amidst Enemies, In Forest, please Protect me, You are my Refuge, You Alone are my Refuge, Oh Mother Bhavani. Have you ever blessed your car or do you know someone who does? Let me know in the comments. Want to learn more Gujarati or Gujarati prayers? Click the link to see all that I offer! https://www.learngujarationline.com/store And be sure to sign up for my email list! #Gujarati #learnGujarati #Gujaratischool #Gujju #Gujaratitraditions #Gujaratifood #Gujaratitreat #Blessing #Pooja #CarPooja #IndianTradition #Prayers #howtobless #Car #Puja

The first time I got my period, my best friend Aditi and I were going up the stairs at school. She said to me, "I think you sat on something, you have a little stain on your uniform". I moved my palm across it to shake whatever was stuck to my skirt and saw that my fingers had blood on them. We looked at each other and knew what this was, we ran to our teacher and told her what happened. I went to an all girls school in India so in our sewing class the teacher had showed us how to use a cloth and put it in your panty if you start seeing blood. She was one of the kindest ladies and actually made it seem like being able to get your period was the coolest thing in the world as this meant now you are mature, wise and can have children when you are ready. I went home that day and told my mom. My mom helped me and told me where we kept our "Special clothes" and what panties to use on these days and how to care so nothing stained. We did not use pads back then in India. This was it, there was nothing special about this day. For the first year my mom taught me to keep a calender and mark the days so I can be prepared. Ours was not a very religious family so I was allowed to carry on with life as is. My periods were very painful and heavy, one of my most embarrasing moment as a teenager coming to America is tied to this. We came back in a bus from our Mock Trial run and a boy I had liked called me from behind and said I had a stain on my pants. Of course took my sweater off and tied it around my waist but this feeling of shame has stayed with me. Many young girls and women do not have the freedom we did around their periods. My sister's best friend's family who are Brahmins, had a special room in their house where during the cycle the women were to stay in and their food was brought to them and they couldn't go any where. I know that sounds outrageous but many people believed women were unpure and dirty during this time. I personally believe that the tradition of isolating women was not because they were dirty but for that this was a delicate time in their lives and resting and relaxing was necessary. Many in the desi community still believe that women should stay away from pure and holy places during their cycles. For many of you who are parents of young girls, I know you wonder like I did how would you teacher your daughter about her moon cycle. My kids went to the Waldorf schools when they were younger and many of my friends had older girls. They had a tradition of celebrating the FIRST MOON with their daughters. So of course I asked questions and here is what I learned. "The monthly ripening of an egg and subsequent pregnancy or release of menstrual blood mirror the process of creation as it occurs not only in nature, unconsciously, but in human endeavor. In many cultures, the menstrual cycle has been viewed as sacred."- Christine Northrup. Here are some things that we did and what worked for us: Explaining to our daughter how special and beautiful thing it is to be a woman Bleeding is a natural process it doesn't mean something is wrong with you Make her favorite food during that time and especially the first time Ask other females in your family to send messages, cards, letters and videos telling the young girl how special this is. Host a red tent party - There are many resources online like www.journeyofayoungwomen.org and drnorthrup.com Bottom line is make this young girl embarking on a journey of womanhood special and whole. #Gujarati #learnGujarati #Gujaratischool #Gujju #Gujaratitraditions #Gujaratifood #Gujaratitreat #cooking #food #lifeexperiance #mooncycle #Sanskarteaching #Women