Getting In and Out of Broncho - Part II

And the story starts.....

I am not a great foodie. However, occasionally I have to eat with someone on some or the other occasion. You would be surprised why to talk about food when under the grip of Broncho. Sometimes, there is a need to accommodate a variable and most possibly, a fixed change. I noticed noticeable changes in health when I started having a proper and regular diet of only home-made food. 

In the Indian context, a proper and regular diet usually contains chapatti, spicy oil vegetable recipes, salad, buttermilk, snacks (sometimes) which are followed by dessert. And, frankly, that seems to be wholesome and worthy eating in an Indian environment. However, there lies a catch. Alas, that's how things changed. Diet has a consequent effect on the mind. I believe, if you eat healthy food, you survive healthily. Life is not about tits and bits. Similarly, health is not about tits and bits which you can ignore and overindulge in eating.

The first change was to drink only and ONLY lukewarm water. Thus, mornings and evenings saw water being boiled and stored in warm water flasks. I made sure not to drink in one gulp but at regular intervals of the day. The second change was having meals at least twice a day. I stopped eating in the evenings. There was no breakfast. I decided and scheduled my lunch very much in advance of the day. Laugh it out but, I was done with my first meal in the early hours of dawn. Third, something that helped improve immunity or perhaps helped escape the negative onslaught of medicinal doses was the use of soup in my meals. I started having mixed vegetable soup for the first time and jokes apart, this was my first experiment with my body. I would boil and blend vegetables like carrot, tomato, spinach, and ginger, with a pinch of salt and black pepper; remove the unwanted pulp by straining. It was quite nutritious; in fact, I felt, my blood levels optimized mainly due to the inclusion of mixed vegetable soup in the diet. 

Fourth, salads were made a constant in eating. Variety for each day consisted of cucumber, tomato, carrot and sugar beet which is a rich source of iron. I also made sure to boil and eat sweet potato at least once a week. Next, something that would surprise all is the use of clarified butter and a complete ban on the use of oil while cooking. I found it a bit hard imagining Indian dishes without oil as few can only taste good when prepared in oil.

Surprises are bound to come in every word I write here. I decided that I should not eat junk food. This included my all-time favorite, dry Manchurian. Saying no to outside food was not a difficult decision. I just decided and went ahead. Mornings are really decisive. What I cook might not be liked by my tongue. This is not because cooking will be hampered. The reason could be my tongue might have the hunger to try something else. Next surprise is saying "NO" to snacks in every form. Indian snacks are available in a variety of spices, ingredients, and equally difficult to resist. However, I had to make sure these don’t become part of my meals. 

Next surprise is less believable for all but not for me. I decided to sacrifice my Sweet Tooth (with a catch). I stopped having sugar or sugar-related foodstuff. This means no to sugar in coffee; no sweets, no ice-cream. The catch …. I kept the ground open for jaggery – gud in case it’s really difficult to stop the non-resistant mouth organs. Organic jaggery in solid and liquid form paved its way to my kitchen. I didn’t mind making something sweet as and when required. Let me tell you, I am not diabetic. If I decided not to have sugar, then I also decided to have less salt in meals.

The next best thing I avoided was the use of curd and buttermilk. Curd is not good while suffering from cough and cold, broncho or asthma or any other respiratory problem. Similarly, fruits like banana have a similar impact. At one time, I used to have only bananas. Now, you won’t find on my platter. Other fruits are always present in my diet.

These changes in everyday meals were never drastic or frantically adopted to recuperate. These were intended as an experiment in the initial stage to see how I respond and went on to become an integral part of life as days passed. My cardiologist never advised me to stop eating. He asked me to have everything. This helped me overcome the phobia that I am suffering. I understood the real meaning and logic behind disciplined eating when Broncho decided to stay in my body though I never wished it should. 

Overview:- 

1. Have lukewarm water if possible. 
2. If not possible, have non-cold, non-fridge normal water.
3. If not possible, store water in the earthen pot and drink at regular intervals.
4. Have a proper, wholesome Indian diet. Chapatti is a good option with any vegetable(s) based solid or liquid diet. 
5. Stop having rice if possible. I eat only once a month or not at all, sometimes. 
6. Whether you are diabetic or not, ignore sugar.
7. Refined oil is not good for health. 
8. Eat food at the right time. If opting for 3 meals, make sure to have in the morning, noon and early evening. I have my meals in the mornings and late noon.
9. Have no foodstuff at night. I prefer only liquids – coffee, milk or soup. You might have to sacrifice your parties here. 
10. Eat Salads.
11.  Have a lot of fruits. They are constant suppliers of good nutrition.

 It’s difficult to survive with this schedule. However, what is painful to adopt and make a part of life gives good returns in the form of good health. And, I am a living example. Months have passed ever since I had Broncho. By God’s grace, everything got sorted out and I am least impacted even with the change in climatic conditions.

Thank you for reading.

Change is UNAVOIDABLE - 3

30th January, 2014 marked the death anniversary of the Great Mahatma (Mahatma Gandhi). He had inspired thousands through speeches and discourse and his one-line speech that most aptly suits NOW happens to be “Be the change you wish to see in this world”.

These words inspired me to pen one more blog on “Change is Unavoidable”. Gandhi had, in fact, launched a huge movement, encouraged many with such words and brought millions of common Indians under one movement to fight for freedom; for a CHANGE. I can feel the change NOW but sometimes, it’s just indescribable. And then, the same question crops up. Why do I need to change and why I feel change is unavoidable?

Change, I believe, is an idea, a thought that might, perhaps take a virtual form. I think technology as a change has, in fact, immensely influenced everyone across the globe. Here, a small move becomes a massive movement and pulls in everyone. At one time, words were enough to indoctrinate someone but now virtual presence of this inanimate object is playing the role of thought-changing process. It is but obvious that everyone is heading on a path to find something new; desperate to carry out experiments; and consequently, want freedom where minds are not ruled by few but become a part of larger planet. And, that is what is CHANGE.

Re-emphasizing the same quote “Be the change….”; I think, the feel, the very presence of change is viral that initiates channels of distribution created with every move.

Thank You…

Change is UNAVOIDABLE - 2

Continuing my conversation where I left.... I was discussing on the concept of change that is unavoidable. Well, thinking from the perspective of an experienced guy, it is rather difficult to imbibe changes in life. Living in a techno-era, it has become imperative to train the thoughts according to what is introduced and what becomes a requirement. Things that look similar are, in fact, not same. Can you think of sitting in office for 9 hours working on the same task? Not any more.... You need to talk, chat on mobile, read and understand the posts shared on social media. And, that has to be done rather fast. In fact, there is no time in hand to work on the same task for long. And you have to go with the flow, the breeze which says, "It's better you change". I often share my views with guys who made different choices in life. Sometimes, they find it rather difficult and sometimes, impossible to deal with dynamics of modern era. And, obviously, it's very much correct that change is felt on every single morning when you wake up and sleep at night. In fact, everything is guided around what is right and what seems right. And change seems, as always right. But, experienced people are seeing a change at a fast pace. It is a bit difficult, but not that difficult. There is never an end to it..... Neerja Mehta

Change is UNAVOIDABLE - Part I

It's been a long time, I'd say almost a year has passed when I wrote on blogspot. However, nothing is too late nor too early. Today, I'm going to share my views on "CHANGE".

Since time immemorial, the Universe has undergone several and several drastic changes. Despite scientific theories, it is still unknown how humankind became existent, the generations continued and continues till this moment.

Nevertheless, it is change which has made everything and every little thing change. In other words, change has become quintessential; it's unavoidable. Every single living being is seeing and feeling it. Whether it's persona, innate talent or merely a place, everything has changed. Why should I say, it's "unavoidable"?

Honestly, change itself creates a situation, a circumstance which forces someone to go with the flow. If you don't relent, definitely, you are going to lose. But, fact is losing doesn't always equal loss. It is quite possible, you gain more than you lost.

Every single situation has some pros and some cons. And to survive the aftermath is possibly in the hands of self. Change is a revolution. If it aims to create fire, it will. If it aims to create peace, it will. It is inevitable and will continue to remain same, come what may...

This is never going to end!!!

Neerja Mehta