Skywatch Mysore Palace

You just can't pass by Mysore's Amba Vilas Palace without clicking a photograph. On one of my trips to Mysore, I didn't have enough time to visit the palace but just clicked few of these from my car, to be precise moving car, as the traffic police was rushing us not to stop in front of the palace.

Happy Skywatching..

#Immunity4Growth Indibloggers Meet!!!

I am back from a short(too short to be precise) trip to Bangalore, Chikamagalur and Hassan. A week long trip, where I got to be part of a blogger's meet, travelled around and had fun time with family and friends. I have got lucky since last couple of my trips to Bangalore. While during my last visit got to be part of Indiblogger's OYO campaign, this time it was for #Immunity4Growth Bloggers meet to get insight about micro-nutrients. 

I reached Bangalore by 2 in the afternoon and managed to reach Taj Vivanta at MG Road for the meet. I was quite on time and the meet had just begun with bloggers introduction.  

 Strong Inside      Growth Outside

To start on with the Immunity talk, Jill Castle, a nutrition expert, a mother and a blogger herself introduced to micro-nutrients. As per Jill, vegetarian diet, lack of affordability to dairy products, influence of western junk food are amongst few of the reasons for lack of micro-nutrients in Indian kids. 

Better Nutrition as per Jill: 

At family level - 

1. Include variety in diet for kids to love the food - wider variety better nutrition.

2. A kitchen garden - grow your food to get better nutrition, include your kids in gardening, they would love to eat the veges nurtured by them.

3. Include kids in cooking, they would enjoy cooking their own meal.

4. Mixed grains offer better micro-nutrients, include grains, beans and cereals in the diet.

At School level - 

1. School should promote healthy food.

2. School should promote health checkups.

Micro Nutrient Rich Food  -----> Better Immunity ----> Better Growth

Then was the presentation by Mr. Amaan  Khan, how presented on the health stats. 

IMRB Survey Results:

1. 30% of children miss school for more than 5 days due to illness

2. 82% mothers feel that weak immunity has repercussions on a child in long run.

3. Mother claim their child falls sick 4 times a year and for 11 days a year.

4. 13% of children have missed an exam due to illness.

5. Mothers claim to spend an average amount of 850INR monthly of Pediatric medicine.

Through the panel discussion the group of team Horlicks, Jill Castle and Nutrition experts discussed more on nutrition and answered blogger's questions. 

Horlicks has also come up with their website www.nutrimeter.horlicks.in where parents can measure child's micro nutrient consumption on day to day basis and better their diet to make them, taller stronger and sharper.

Horlicks claims to be India's No. 1 Health Drink with 2X immuno-nutrients, clinically proven to make children 

Taller           Stronger            Sharper

To end the session was group photograph and each of us carried home 2 packs of Horlicks Classic Malt pack.

Off the Beach Affair, Five things to do in Goa - A Collective By Holiday IQ!!!

Its been over a decade that I visited Goa. The last one too was on an official trip and hardly got to wander around the place. I am not a beach loving person and might be that was the reason I didn't plan my trip off late. Here is a guest post by Holiday IQ which proves there is much more to beaches in Goa and why I should think of planning one sooner.

Off the Beach Affair

If you thought Goa is just about the sun, sand and beaches, think again! There is much more to this tiny yet fashionable world within itself with diverse people from across the globe. Extensive range of globally recognized Goan cuisine or the international music festivals held here every year, Goa makes an ideal holiday destination for everyone. So be it a college trip with friends, family trip with your loved ones or a simple romantic getaway, Goa gives you all reasons to keep going back for more. After all, one can never have too much of Goa!  

How to reach, where to stay?

Reaching Goa is quite convenient from the major cities of India; the journey by train from Mumbai and Bangalore to Goa is just an overnight affair. When it comes to accommodation, you have a choice of it all, from luxury resorts and hotels in Goa, suites with poolside and private beach, guest houses and inns. However, to get a local taste of Goa in its true sense, you can opt for the much affordable beach huts or shacks. Imagine yourself relaxing in a hammock, watching the sunset right in front of you, in company of loved ones and a blissful evening. Heavenly isn't it?

What to do?

As they say “Everyone is happy in Goa” – happy streets, smiling faces, cheerful locals and satisfied tourists. So there are no second thoughts on getting a taste of Goa yourself! While you pack your bags, we help you to list out some of the suggested fun places to see in Goa.
1. Visit Old Goa: Old Goa is full of beautiful cathedrals and magnificent churches. A half-day visit is enough to admire the archaeological museums that display the fascinating history of Goa.

Old Goa by abcdz2000

2. Go on a cruise: With this, you have one more thing to strike off from your bucket list. Under the moonlit night, the Mandovi River yachts are beautifully lit up like shining jewels floating in the sea. Don't forget to try your luck at the casinos – after all, a bit of poker never harmed anybody. 

Cruise in Goa by David

3. Saturday night market (Arpora): Indulge in some retail therapy, which offers a range of Indian handicrafts, silver jewelery, paintings, trendy apparels, wrap-arounds, scarves, leather products and the list is never ending (a tip: do bargain before buying). This market gets livelier with restaurants playing live music late into night and serving an eclectic range of food.

Night Market in Goa by Ipshita B

4. Indulge in water sports: The adventure freak within you cannot resist the number of water sports that Goa has to offer. The endless beaches of Goa make it a great spot for all kinds of water sports. Choose from banana tube boat rides, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, speed boats, snorkeling and lots more.

5. Dolphin cruise: As you cruise along the Arabian Sea, be prepared to catch a glimpse of dolphins perform aerobatics in front of you. To add to the adventure, you may also get a chance to dip in the sea and maybe swim with the dolphins! Brightly coloured kingfishers can be spotted. So make sure you have your camera ready, so you can take back some spectacular photographs with you.

Dolphin cruise, Goa by Tyrone Adams

Every day’s a party in Goa and it’s a party you wouldn't want to miss. So take a break, pack your bags, as life in Goa awaits. Go Goa, 365 days on a holiday!

This post is part of a promotional campaign by Holiday IQ. I do not own the photographs, they have been used with due credit to the owners.