Yummy Nashta by our Kellogg's Waale Guptaji

People are opening their mouths for just two things these days- (i) talking about nashta at Gupatji’s house; and (ii) eating nashta at Guptaji’s house. And who can blame them? The Gupta family’s mouthwatering recipes never cease to amaze. Before, breakfast was a chore. But thanks to the hundreds of recipes of Guptaji’s family, breakfast has become the most exciting meal of the day. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing dishes they have whipped up:-

Using simple and easily available ingredients such as Kellogg's Corn Flakes, custard apple pulp, chopped walnuts and cold milk, the Guptaji’s family has come up with ‘Sitaphal Cornflakes’, or as they refer to it – ‘Passing the Parcelwala Nashta’. The way the custard complements the cornflakes, to give a rich, creamy as well as crunchy effect, can only be described as – SPECTACULAR.

You haven’t lived till you have tried the Gupta family’s 'Cabbage Corn Salad in Basil Curd Dressing', also known as, ‘Homework Wala Nashta’. This dish is made from cabbage, Kellogg’s Cornflakes, cucumber, grapes, celery, salt and dressing. This dish goes well with a nice hot cup of tea. The dish is rejuvenating and, like allof the Gupta family’s dishes, extremely delicious.

Like a snack while watching a movie? I think we all are frustrated by the overpriced popcorn sold at theatres. Guptaji’s family has come up for the perfect snack for those watching movies at home, using our favourite Kellogg’s Cornflakes. Try the Gupta family’s crunchy ‘Cornflake Popcorn Clusters’, which has been rightly referred to as ‘Movie Wala Nashta’. The recipe for the same can be found here: http://www.kelloggs.in/en_IN/moviewala-nashta-recipe.html.

Say good bye to those expensive desert places. Guptaji’s family has come up with a dish which cannot be compared to the deserts found in such places. Once you taste the ‘Walnut Cornflakes Chocó balls’, you will fall in love. Perhaps that’s the reason this dish has been called a ‘First Crush Wala Nashta’. This dish is so delicious that you will forget you boyfriend or girlfriend while having it. You will be taken to another universe. This is one dish I’m sure you wouldn’t want to share with anone.

As I write this blog post, my mouth is drooling and ruining my keyboard. So I’m going to stop now. For reason’s stated above, I will be joining Guptaji’s family for breakfast tomorrow. I know that by now many of you must be jealous. Don’t worry. There are many recipes which the Guptaji’s family has revealed, so that you can make marvelous dishes at your own house. All these innovative recipes use simple ingredients, and one does not need to be a ‘Master Chef’ to make them. Check out the amazing recipe’s of Guptaji’s family here:

https://www.facebook.com/anaajkanashta

https://www.youtube.com/user/kelloggindia

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Pursuit of Happiness (Its easier to find than you think)!

You know we can spend thousands and lakhs on going around the world or attending lavish events. Some people climb mountains and cross seas to look for happiness. Yet what most people don't realize is that happiness sis in he simpler and smallest of things. Here are a few of the simple things that make me happy:-

• Taking a walk in the garden with my beautiful wife and baby girl, surrounded by the trees and with the sound of children playing in the background. The colourful butterflies crossing our paths, as if waving to us as they pass by. At such times I'm really happy and find that I am closest to family.
• Sitting with old friends, and getting nostalgic. Narrating stories from yesteryear while drinking refreshing Coca-Cola. Truly, even something as simple as a bottle of Coca-Cola can put a smile on a persons face. 

• Playing fetch with my dog, Tommy. That makes both of us happy. Dogs are truly man's best friend.  You won't believe the amount of joy my canine friend gives me.       
• Surprising my parents. A child is really satisfied when he can put a smile on his/her parent's face. That's when the child actually feels that his/her mission is accomplished.
• Binge watching TV shows with my wife, while drinking my favourite refreshment - Coca-Cola. I don't watch an episode per week. I'm more of an entire season in a day kind of guy. Be it Game of Thrones or Madmen or, my current favourite,  House of Cards, watching these shows with a Coca-Cola in one hand and my wife in the other also brings me happiness.
• Writing for my blog. Yup, as my regular readers are probably aware, I update my blog frequently. This is a place where I spill my emotions, my inner feelings and my deepest thoughts. I do it because I love it. Few things gives me more joy than a seeing a well-written blog post of mine getting appreciated. 
• Listening to old movie songs. My favourite singer is K.L. Saigal. His song, 'Do Naina Matware' really plays with the strings of my heart. The new songs cannot compare to the old ones. I hope that one day the new songs will also become melodious. But does it ever happen? No. It's only noise!
• Eating cake
• Playing hide and seek with my little girl. When I play with her, I also become a child once again. It may sound silly for a grown man to say so, but I do enjoy playing hide and seek.
• Watching the sunset with along with my best friend – a bottle of Coca-Cola

So these are a few of the things that make me happy. What are the simple things that make you happy? Leave your answers in the comments below. 

For more happiness: http://cokeurl.com/96jnc

Positivity Unleashed

I had just lost my job for reasons unknown to me. My wife who was pregnant was living at her mother’s house. We were having a bit of a fight. Nothing too serious, but I was all alone. I started applying for a new job, but in this market, it was almost impossible to land in a good firm. I spent 7 years in my last office. It was my first job and I had never worked anywhere else before. Also, without a job I now had to look for a place which had a more reasonable rent.

One day morning I went to the garden for a stroll near my house. I left my phone at home, since I didn't want to be disturbed. I thought a nice walk alone would cheer me up. Unfortunately it didn't. If anything the walk just made me feel worse. I went back home, more depressed than ever, and contemplating just giving up completely. When I reached home I check my phone and was shocked to see I got 37 missed calls and 49 messages. My wife had gone into labour!

I rushed to the hospital. When I reached, I learnt from my mother in law that I had just become a father of a healthy new-born girl. I couldn't be happier. I went in to see my wife. She was holding our new-born girl in her arms. Never had I seen a more beautiful sight. I didn't take a picture, because it wasn't necessary. I can never forget even a single detail of that moment. I kissed both of them on the forehead. I held the baby in my arms. I never knew that a person could be so little and so delicate. That’s when I forgot about all my worries. I was filled with a new hope. I spent the rest of the day with them, and I must say it was the best day of my life. I was no longer angry at my wife. In fact I even forgot what we were fighting about. It all just seemed silly now. No matter what she did, she more than made up for it that day by giving me my little princess. I would be in her debt forever for that.

It was that day that I decided never to give up.  I was going to be everything I could be. I was going to give life my best. I was going to the type of person my daughter would idolize. I wanted her to look up to me. So I decided to work hard and strive towards a better future.

Within that week landed a job in a better firm than my previous one. I found a new place to live by using Housing.com. (Yup, that's https://housing.com/). For the first time in my life, I knew everything was going to be fine.

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When I Decided to #StartANewLife

For seven years I saved every rupee so that I could buy a house just for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my parents and loved living with them. But there was a point of time when I felt that I could no longer be a burden on them.  Also, I needed to learn to be independent. I needed to have experience to fend for myself. I had to #StartANewLife.

There was also another reason I had to acquire a house. I was in relationship with this girl in my college (name undisclosed to protect identity). Her parents didn’t like me very much, for reasons best known to them. I thought if I could get a place of my own, it would impress them and they would begin favouring me.

Unfortunately, by the age of 27 I could barely save enough. I checked with brokers and friends to look for a decent flat within my budget. But all the flats were either too expensive or were not fit for habitation. I was frustrated and almost gave up all hope of starting a new life in the city.

Then,  I met my Raj who had recently got married and bought a flat in the city. When I asked him how he could afford to #StartANewLife in the city, he hesitated. After I persisted and begged repeatedly he whispered in my ear, ‘Housing.com’. I immediately checked out the site on my tablet.

It was amazing. Flats at the best possible locations were available at reasonable rates. I ignored Raj the rest of the evening and continued to check out flats on the website. It was convenient to browse and was rather safe. I found a flat I liked and about a month later I found myself living in my new flat! The flat was in a good neighbourhood with schools and hospitals nearby in case I decided to start a family.

I invited my girlfriend and her parents to my house warming party. I showed them around the place. They examined the entire flat in a cursory manner. Finally, they smiled and told me that I had a good choice. I wasn’t sure if they were talking about the flat or their daughter or both. In any case, they were impressed and gave me their blessings.

And that my friends, is how a new chapter in my life started. Now I have learnt to be independent. I am no longer reliant on my parents. I have my own independent identity. I don’t want to offend any of my readers, but I highly recommend all of you above the age of 25 to stop being a parent’s pet and start making your own place in this world.

Don't know where to start? Go to https://housing.com/. 

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My Baby - Happy and Dry

Outside my building there is a beautiful garden. I take my baby out for a stroll every week. The scent of the flowers, the sound of children playing, the blue sky all just overwhelm her with happiness. But the thing that makes her truly happy are the butterflies. She tries to catch them with her tiny hands. If you saw it even you would agree that it’s the cutest thing you have ever seen. That moment is also the happiest moment of my day.

Truly, there is nothing more enjoyable for a parent than watching his/her child being happy. But there were times when I would take her to the garden and she would still be cranky. I could not understand why. I would try to play with her and make funny faces, but nothing would work. Her mom would also be upset at these times.

One day we were in the park, and she started crying. Kavita Autny, who lived in our neighborhood, came to our rescue. She examined the baby in a cursory manner. We eagerly waited as she continued with her diagnosis. After she was done, she put the baby down and simply told us to change the brand of diapers. She recommended we shift to Pampers Baby Dry Pants. At first we were skeptical. Would changing the brand of diapers really make such a big difference? Nonethelss, we took the advise, because we were desperate. Only a parent will understand how important a child’s happiness is to a parent. My wife brought home the Pampers baby dry pants. They worked like magic! My baby was never upset again.

Whereas, most diaper brands only ensure that their diapers are leak-proof and guarantee dryness on the outside, only Pampers Baby Dry Pants guarantees dryness for the baby on the inside. That is what is truly important. Pampers Baby Dry Pants are a dream come true for those parents who have babies. The Magic Gel in the Pampers Baby Dry Pants locks in moisture so that the baby’s skin remains healthy and dry for a whole of twelve hours.  

Now our baby is happy all the time. A dry baby is a happy baby. And a happy baby is a happy home. So what’s the secret to our baby’s happiness? 1) Butterflies and 2) Pampers Baby Dry Pants

There is a good news for all you out there having babies. There is cureenyl upto 25% off on Pampers diapers on amazon.in. I urge all of you to buy in bulk now. If you don’t believe me you can first try a free sample. Simply go to https://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers. Once yor baby goes Papmers. He/she will never want to go back. Your baby’s happiness is only a few clicks away.

'The Pen' or 'How I Became a Optimist'

People often ask me, "How are you so optimistic all the time?" This is the story from my childhood which I tell them:
On my 8^th birthday I received gifts from my family and friends in many forms, badminton rackets, board games and magic sets. However, I found it very peculiar that my father gave me nothing during the party. After the cake was cut, songs were sung and all the guests left, my father came up to me and told me to close my eyes and stretch out my hands. I did so obediently and with anticipation. Slowly, my father placed in my hands a cold metallic object and asked me to open my eyes. I did not open his eyes immediately but was trying to guess what the strange object was which his father had given him. Was it the controls of the new game he had wanted?

When I could no longer bear the suspense I opened my hands only to find in my hand a blue fountain pen. I felt a sudden emptiness in my stomach, similar to what I felt the time I accidentally broke his uncle’s expensive vase. Confused and disappointed I stood still not knowing what to say or do. I could not understand why my father had made such a big deal regarding a simple pen. I had plenty of pens with me which I did not even use. Not being able to read my emotions my father asked, “Do you like it?”

I did not like it. But I knew that I must be polite to my father and I also knew how the truth would make the man, whose only joy came from thinking that the pen he loved most was loved most by his son, feel. So instead I said, “I love it!” My father smiled as he said, “Take care of it. It’s very important! O.K?”

 I nodded and my father left the room without explaining the importance of the pen. Neither did I ask what it’s significance was nor was it of any immediate concern. What I did know was that I made a promise to his father and that promises, no matter what, must always be kept. What this young protagonist did not know at the time was that promises were not easy to keep and what a big responsibility I now had on his shoulders. I had to learn this in the most unfortunate way.

Two weeks, three days and approximately fourteen hours later, I was sitting in school waiting for the math’s lecture to end. On my father’s suggestion I took the pen to school only to write the very important tests or like my father called them “special occasions”. When the recess bell finally rang I opened my bag to check if the pen had enough ink for the test I had after the break. But when I put my hand in I realized that one of the compartments of my bag had torn from the bottom and that the pen which my father entrusted me with was gone.

I retraced my steps and went to the library where I saw one of my senior science teachers lying on the floor trying to reach for something under the book shelves. Her hands could not fit in the small space. On asking the teacher I found out that she was trying to reach her spectacles. Being only 8 years old, I used his small hands which fit easily, handed it to her and ran off.

I then went to the park where I played that morning but sadly did not find anything. Filled with grief, I started going back to class when suddenly in one of the senior student’s hand I saw it! The pen was one of a kind so there could be no mistake. I went to that senior and asked for the pen back. The senior student admitted that I found the pen in the library but he was not ready to give it back. He laughed and was walking away with the pen. I, who was now begging to get the pen back, had half a mind to hit the senior, knowing very well that it would only lead to trouble. Just then, out of nowhere a lady walked up to us and told the senior to give the pen back. It was the science teacher I helped in the library! The senior returned it quietly and was escorted by the teacher to class where he would be given a minor punishment. While they were going away I shouted ‘Thank you!’  The teacher looked back at him, winked and went along.

A sudden warmth rushed through my heart. I would later compare this feeling to jumping from building to building like a superhero. The lady I had helped on the way, had gone out of her way to return the favour. The incident gave me hope. From that day on I was an optimist. I truly do believe in the basic goodness of people. Now, even in the worst possible situations, I know things will be fine. 
Remember my friends- Always Look Up!

For more hope, go to: https://housing.com/lookup

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Apno Ko Apne Dum Pe Jeena Sikhao

The school science fair was coming up. I was at my wit's end as to what to make as my project. As  usual, and like most of my classmates, I ran to my parents for help. They were more than happy to guide me, but also warned me well in advance that they would only point me in the right direction and then leave me to do the project on my own.

Initially, I complained that all my other friends were taking their parent’s help. In fact, some of them were completely relying on their parents, right from thinking of the concept, to carrying the completed project to school. But my parents did not budge.

I decided to make a project on photosynthesis. I grew plants and studied the effect of sunlight on them. My parents did not help, but I knew that they were watching over me.

The day of the science fair had arrived. I carried the project all the way to school alone. My parents showed no inclination of coming to watch me. When I reached school, I found all my classmates, with their parents, setting up their projects. The projects looked well-done, and it was rather obvious that an adult had done most, if not all of the work involved. ‘There is no way I can win this’ I thought to myself, as I reluctantly began setting up my own project.

The presentation had to be done by the students themselves and parents were not allowed to intervene. The judges asked the students some follow up questions as well, just to check their knowledge of the topic. I presented the project to the judges and answered their questions, which I found to be rather easy. When the results were announced, I was surprised to hear my name being called out as the winner. I went on stage to collect my prize. From there I saw my parents at the back. They had tears of joy pouring from their eyes.

I ran against the crowd, to hug them. They were proud of me. I was also proud of myself. I had won, on my own, without any help from anyone. I was filled with a strange warmth. It felt wonderful. An hour later, one of the judges came to congratulate me. Before he left, he whispered in my ear, ‘The reason you won, is because we knew that you were the only one who had done the project himself. The others had good projects, but when we questioned them, they didn’t know anything about their own projects!’

From that day, I have never depended on anyone. I made my own choices and I didn’t look back. Thanks to my parents, I can proudly say today that I am a self made man. When I have kids, I will also teach my children to be self-reliant, and I urge you all to do the same. Seriously, Apno Ko Apne Dum Pe Jeena Sikhao!
To know more about how to do that go here: http://www.hdfclife.com/ 

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