Bye Bye Bhookh with Saffola Active Soups

I recently took to Instagram lamenting about my unhealthy post-work snacking schedule. Thankfully, Saffola Active came up with a solution.

Extremely long working hours and erratic lunch timings had led me to resort to snacking on junk food at the end of a working day. These unhealthy habits were really taking a toll on my body; I would end up feeling bloated and guilty, not to mention my dinner schedule would go for a toss as well. How much of street side samosas and vada paos can one have? I was fed up! And then Saffola reached out to me like a knight in shining armor and attempted to provide a solution to a problem that we all face day in and day out – to find a snack option that is filling, inexpensive and healthy all at the same time.

That very same evening my doorbell rang, just as I was about to reach for a packet of chips, and there stood Mumbai's pride – our very own dabbawalas – with a glistening red dabba from Saffola. The dabba contained three Saffola Active soup packets, a funky yellow mug and a leaflet introducing the soups. I put the packet of chips aside, quickly heated up some water and made myself a steaming hot cup of Saffola Active soup to help curb those hunger pangs a couple of hours before dinner time. Here are my thoughts about this latest entrant into the Saffola family:

Fab New Restaurants I Tried and Loved - #BrandedBawiRecommends

Mumbai's ever evolving dining out scene has restaurants coming and going like a forgotten suitcase at an airport conveyor belt. 2018 brought with it a host of new restaurant and bar launches, dotting the city's landscape. However, the restaurants below left me super impressed with what they had to offer. Trust me, they are keepers! Read on to know more - 

1. Keiba, Mahalaxmi
Keiba is translated to 'horse racing' in Japanese, which is apt because this swanky new Oriental restaurant is located within Mahalaxmi racecourse. The inside section of the restaurant has large glass windows on one side, looking out to the stables of the racecourse's resident horses, enabling you to share a drink with an equestrian friend. The outside lounge section has a Cherry Blossom theme running through, and is the perfect spot to grab a leisurely drink during Mumbai's short-lived and mild winters.

My Favourite New York City Eats

Most honeymoon-ing couples spend their time at exotic and secluded locales, snuggled under blankets, away from the crowds. My husband and I are an absolutely different breed. We put ourselves through one of the most hectic holidays of our lives through the East Coast of USA, filled to the brim with activity, exploring the streets, chatting up the locals, and of course eating up all the delicious food New York City has to offer.

This post is an ode to all that wonderfully sinful food we devoured while in NYC, but in no means is a listicle or a guide to NYC eats. This list is the microscopic pointed end that sits atop the tip of an iceberg, because you see, NYC is a food lover's paradise. Here you'll find hot dog and pretzel carts at every street corner, the best of street food doled out of food trucks, and cuisines from the world over. In NYC will you see a fast food chain, a small mom and pop eatery and a Michelin starred gourmet restaurant all sitting comfortably side-by-side. 

Here's a list of our favourites from our week long NYC sojourn:

Mama Kane's Swatcha Upahar Griha, Dadar - Happy Homely Food

We discovered Mama Kane's Swatchha Upahar Griha while walking around Dadar station aimlessly and famished one Sunday afternoon. This tiny eatery stood out like an oasis in a desert, and called out to the two starving ladies burdened with shopping bags in their hands. The constant sea of people flowing in and out of the restaurant was a positive indicator that we'd end up getting a decent meal here, compared to the neighboring Udipi restaurants. We walked out of Mama Kane, tummies full and hearts content. Here are three reasons why I'd happily return to dine here, the next time I'm in the area - 

The Best of Magical Mahabalipuram

It is hard to imagine that just a 90 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Chennai, lies an ancient city filled to the brim with history and culture. Well that's the magic of Mahabalipuram. I felt like I had entered a time machine and travelled back in time, to the 7th century to be precise. Mahabalipuram, in addition to the ancient temples and tradition, has now slowly gained importance as a leisure destination owing to the spectacular beaches and luxurious resorts it houses. 

Considering Mahabalipuram for your next getaway? Then read on for must visits while you're there. 

1. Shore Temple

At first ,the towering stone temple intimidates you with it's grandeur, but as you get closer she gets warm and inviting, embracing you into her bosom. This temple dates back to the 8th century, built by the rulers of the Pallava dynasty in a traditional Oriental pagoda style. The Shore Temple complex was also known as 'Seven Pagodas' but currently only one remains standing on land, the other six are submerged. If the seas permit, it is possible to take a catamaran out into the ocean and try and spot the submerged tips of the other temples. Once a busy port, now a world famous UNESCO heritage site, the Shore Temple now stands as a mark of a forgotten dynasty.