Finding Balance: My Journey of Managing Diabetes Holistically

We take some things in life for granted, most often our health! Watching my father-in-law trying to manage diabetes made me realize that we need to take care of our health now more than ever.  I have seen him take medicines and talk to our physician to know what he can do to manage his diabetes better. I realized that being the primary caregiver in his diabetes journey, I wanted to support him at every step so his life would be fulfilling.

With our physician’s guidance, I decided to take charge of my family’s health. I learnt that to manage diabetes, a balance of nutrition, exercise, medication, and lifestyle changes are important components. While there are no shortcuts, there are tools and ways to help you along the way.

The Importance of Holistic Management:

Diabetes management isn’t about one solution. It’s about incorporating changes into your everyday lifestyle. Regular exercise is important, whether it’s a brisk walk, strength training, Zumba, yoga, or even light stretching. Whatever you like to do, you need to move your body every day. Nutrition is equally important. Make mindful food choices, such as including leafy greens, berries, nuts, lentils, etc. in your meals.

Additionally, medication, as prescribed by your physician, proper sleep, hydration, and stress management all play a role in managing diabetes.

How Ensure Diabetes Care Fits into My Journey:

While researching, I came across Ensure Diabetes Care. After consulting our physician, I added it to my father-in-law's daily routine.

Ensure Diabetes Care is the #1 selling diabetes nutrition drink in the world.⁴ My father-in-law noticed better management of blood sugar levels in 4 weeks.¹

What I love about it is that it’s powered with a Triple Care System² of high fibre, high-quality protein and 36 nutrients. It helps manage common diabetes symptoms like fatigue⁶ and weight⁵.

Every morning, when my father-in-law returns from his daily walk, I prepare a glass of Ensure Diabetes Care. As his doctor says that this small habit fits seamlessly into our day, giving him confidence that he’s taking proactive steps toward better health.

The most important lesson we’ve learned is that managing diabetes is taking charge of health one step at a time. By making these small changes, I have become more active and alert as a caregiver.

I’ve incorporated some key foods into his meals that are known to support blood sugar management³:

●        Berries are packed with antioxidants and natural sweetness.

●        Nuts and seeds are great for curbing hunger between meals.

●        Lentils and legumes for lasting energy.

Consult Your Physician: The Most Important Step

I recommend that anyone living with diabetes or looking to prevent it, to consult their physician. Every person’s journey is unique, and medical guidance ensures that your approach is safe and effective. Whether you’re introducing a diabetes-specific nutrition drink like Ensure Diabetes Care or adjusting your exercise routine, a doctor’s input is invaluable.

With the right mindset and a holistic approach, managing diabetes becomes less about restriction and more about living well.

As we sit here now, enjoying our routine, me with a book and my father-in-law with a glass of Ensure Diabetes Care, we feel grateful for the experiences we are gaining.

Management isn’t about perfection; it’s about balance. And with small intentional choices, we can all create a future where diabetes doesn’t limit us.

 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views, solely of the blogger. Always consult a nutritionist /doctor before making any changes to your diet. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Abbott Healthcare Private Limited (Nutrition Division).

Abbott ID IN-ENS-APR-2025-1743677854

References:

1. There was significant reduction in HbA1c & FBS in the intervention group compared to control at 1st month & at the end of the study when used along with lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese adults with T2DM. Mohan V et al. J. Assoc. Phys. Ind. 2019; 67(12) 25-30
2. Akhlaghi M. The role of dietary fibres in regulating appetite, an overview of mechanisms and weight. consequences. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024;64(10):3139-3150.
3. Andrew Reynolds, Joanna Mitri, et. al. (2024). Dietary Advice For Individuals with Diabetes. National Library of medicine.
4. Source: Euromonitor International Limited; total global retail sales in 2024 for diabetic diet enhancer drinks. Euromonitor and Abbott calculation based in part on custom research conducted between September and October 2024 and Euromonitor Passport Consumer Health 2025 based on 2024 data.
5. When 1- 2 serves/day are used as a meal replacement in diabetes management plan [diet advice & exercise] in over-weight diabetic adults. Sun J et al. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(3):514-24. Chee et al BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2017;5(1)
6. Due to reduction in fasting, post-prandial blood glucose, glycemic variability and HbA1c levels. Mohan V et al. J. Assoc. Phys. Ind. 2019; 67(12) 25-30, Chee et al BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2017;5(1), Quirk et al. Translational Metabolic Syndrome Research, Volume 3, 2020, Pages 17-20. (Nutrients like Protein, B Complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium and Energy)

 

 

Book Review - Spiritual Anatomy: Meditation, Chakras, and the Journey to the Center

 BOOK REVIEW 

Title               :  Spiritual Anatomy: 

                        Meditation, Chakras, and the Journey to the Center

Author           : Daaji Kamlesh D Patel

Genre            : Spirituality

Format          : Paperback

No. of pages : 288

Publisher     : HarperCollins India

Link to buy : DAAJI

 Blurb :

When we think of wellbeing, we often think of our physical and mental health-tending to our bodies and minds to find peace, purpose, and connection in our lives. But as Kamlesh D. Patel (affectionately known as Daaji), spiritual leader of the Heartfulness Organization and fourth in line to the raja yoga tradition illuminates, there is a third system we too often overlook: The Spiritual Anatomy.

Acting as a sort of atlas for consciousness, the chakras-the centers of spiritual energy that comprise our spiritual anatomy-lead us back to our hearts, ourselves, and the sustainable happiness and meaning we crave. Along the way readers will learn:

- The role and importance of the chakras

- What blocks our chakras and how to clean them

- Meditation techniques that bring you closer to the heart's center

- How connecting deeply with our chakras can open our hearts, minds, and souls

As grounding as it is groundbreaking, Spiritual Anatomy is a must-read for seekers, meditators, and anyone who wants to cultivate joy in their life.

My Review :

At some point in our lives, we connect with our spiritual self and it's not easy to get self peace. I was looking for an easy guide that would not only teach about mediation but also be a guide to understand our anatomy. The blurb intrigued me and rightfully so, it's a detailed guide of what I was looking for and even more. I had no idea about what chakras meant, but all the chakras are explained so well and the best part is it shows the path on how to cleanse them. Another thing that I really liked about the book is that How attitudes drives our thoughts, then our actions and how right attitudes creates an environment which accelerates our evolution. Rightfully so, if we have a negative attitude about something, the result will always be negative. On the other hand, if we have a positive attitude towards something, then the negative things can also turn into positive because our perspective changes.  Before reading this book, to me being spiritual meant to be religious but now I've realized that spirituality is beyond religion.  This is the first book that I have read by Daaji. I highly recommend everyone to read this book. It's a real treasure!  

About the Author :

KAMLESH D. PATEL, known widely as Daaji, is the fourth in a century-old lineage of spiritual masters. Daaji practiced pharmacy in New York City for over three decades before dedicating his life as a guide and mentor for spiritual seekers everywhere. A self-professed student of spirituality, he devotes much of his time and energy to research in the field of consciousness and spirituality, approaching the subject with scientific methodology – a practical approach that stems from his own experience and mastery in the field.

Today, Heartfulness is available to one and all, and is helping millions of people across 130 countries. Rooted in the ancient practices of Raja Yoga, the heartfulness way presents a set of practices to help unravel the layers of conditioning and suppressed feelings that contribute to our unhappiness and stress. Daaji’s approach offers a pathway to tap into the True Self—a place of authenticity, compassion, and inner peace.

Daaji’s profound contributions led to him receiving the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the Government of India, in recognition of his distinguished service to the field of spirituality. He is the author of several international bestsellers, including “The Heartfulness Way,” “Designing Destiny,” and “Wisdom Bridge,” offering profound insights into personal transformation, the integration of spirituality in daily life, and raising resilient children.

Rating : 4/5

This review is a part of  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review 

#bookchatter #blogchatter #bookreview

Happinetz gives insights into child's internet usage

 

Happinetz gives insights into child's internet usage

Our children are growing up surrounded by technology. It’s very different from the era that we grew up in. Be it mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smart televisions, etc., they have access to all electronic gadgets. They are also very quick and efficient in learning any new gadget or app that is launched, and I sometimes feel that a child’s internet usage is increasing over time.

Children as young as 5-6 months of age also dance or respond to rhymes and cartoons on YouTube and other kid’s apps. I will confess that I too am guilty of giving a lot of screen time to my son!

Before my son was born, I had thought of having very limited screen time for him. But I started showing him rhymes when he was a baby, especially when I had to do household chores. Those few minutes gradually increased to 30 – 60 minutes.

Most of the time, my husband and I abide by the rule of him playing games on our phones or watching a movie on YouTube only on the weekends but we do give in sometimes during the week when we are working or when we have some guests.

There’s always crying and meltdowns going on in our house, when we ask him to turn off the cartoon or the game that he is playing because the rule of 30 – 60 minutes is never followed! This upsets me a lot as I do not like to scold him every time he has to turn off the tablet.

When we give him the tablet or our phones, we try to keep a check of our child’s internet usage. But the internet is so unsafe that with one wrong click he can open an adult site or a dangerous site. Many unwanted advertisements pop up and if by mistake, he clicks on something inappropriate, it could take him down a rabbit hole.

For quite some time, both my husband and I have been looking for apps to block unsecured sites or find some way that could help us to restrict his screen time.

Recently, I came across Happintez which is a tech-based solution for safe internet. I found out that it comes with a personal screen time manager which was my utmost priority! Happinetz Box connects to your home router, wired or wirelessly to filter out age inappropriate content. I found out that it was just a two-step installation process – connect it to the home router, download the app, follow the instructions and you’re done.

It has lots of other amazing features that help us to know our child’s internet usage:

Modes:

Happinetz is a mode-based system. It has three modes – parent, teen and kid. The parent can connect the child’s device to Happinetz WIFI and select an appropriate mode from the app on the parent’s phone. This way, parents can manage their child’s internet usage.

Filter:

This app filters apps and websites by categorizing them under 15 categories. These categories (except adult & security and safe search) can be easily switched on and off using the toggle button. The Happinetz Filtering System serves as a guardian for your child’s internet usage. It sends all app and website requests from their devices to a central filtering system, which determines whether the requests should be permitted or denied.

Manages Screen Time:

Happinetz has this amazing feature where you can schedule the internet access time and once the set time is over, the internet will shut down on its own. If you want, you can also extend the internet access time from the app on your phone.

Pause the Internet on a particular device:

Parents can control and pause the internet access on their child’s device connected to the Happinetz network. The internet will stay paused until you resume it through the app.

Get Insights and History:

                                           

Another interesting feature of Happinetz is that it provides an overview of your child’s internet usage

Happinetz gives you access to the history of all sites and apps that your child has browsed.

Whitelist or Blacklist Certain Domains:

Through its advanced feature, Happinetz lets parents blacklist or whitelist certain websites or apps as per need.

I ordered my Happintez box from their website, www.happinetz.com and it came within 2 days. It comes with a user manual and also there are many videos on their website to help install the device. The installation process is very fast. It’s a very sleek product and is very light. It looks like a WiFi router and has to be connected with a plug and a small wire. It is portable and can be easily connected.

I downloaded the app on my phone and connected it with my husband’s phone and my son’s tablet.

I have been using Happinetz for the last 2 weeks.  Now, I set the time for my son to use his tablet. Once the set time is over, the internet automatically shuts down on his device. He is not able to access it beyond the set time, I have noticed that the crying and meltdowns have reduced a lot. Once the internet is shut off, my son automatically goes and keeps away the tablet. He thinks that there’s no internet connection.

I have also used the feature of extending the time for internet access on his tablet. I am very happy and relieved that I have finally found a product that has solved the problem of excess screen time for my son. I can manage his screen time without him or me getting frustrated. Also, I have noticed since the internet started shutting down on its own, my son has started playing board games and reading more books.

I also check the insights and history of what my son has browsed. This way I am assured of where he's spending his time and which websites and apps he is accessing.

Happintez has really reduced my stress of controlling screen time for my son. Both of us are happy now. He is also happy that he gets to watch his cartoon or play a game and I am also happy that he is not spending too much time on the internet.

There’s also an early bird discount offer going on their website on the purchase of the Happintez box. Hurry, avail this opportunity and Happintez for your kids now.

It is definitely #SafeInternetForKids and I recommend everyone to buy it!

#happinetz #kidsscreentime #happinetzindia

Book Review - The Sorcery of the Senses

 BOOK REVIEW

Title               : The Sorcery of the Senses

Author           : Tanima Das

Genre            : Fantasy

Format          : Paperback

No. of pages : 220

Publisher     : Artoonsinn; First Edition

LInk to buy : amazon.in/Sorcery-Senses-Tanima-Das/dp/819498243X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YJV4R1MIVVY2&keywords=the+sorcery+of+the+senses&qid=1690108960&sprefix=the+sorcery%2Caps%2C436&sr=8-1

Blurb :

This is book 1 of the series 'The Sorcery of the Senses' where we get to see protagonist Dhruv's interactions with three of the senses, Dristi(sight), Sparsha(touch), and Ghraan(smell).
Dhruv is on the brink of middle age when he loses his parents in quick succession. Then he has to go through a messy divorce with Juthika. As Dhruv struggles to find meaning in his bland existence he stumbles upon an antique piece of jewellery that leads him to a different realm where the senses come alive.
Dristi, the sense of vision helps him to look back at a past life when Dhruv was Ghriz, a tribal girl blessed with extraordinary powers of the eye.
Sparsha, the sense of touch meets Dhruv next, helping him to look back on another lifetime when Dhruv was Mong, a girl with special powers of touch.
Dhruv got hold of an all-powerful holy stone in both the past lives, only to lose it unwittingly each time. This stone upholds the power of the five senses and maintains the sanctity of the reality as everyone knows it. The senses urge him to locate it as the universe could disintegrate if the holy stone falls into wrong hands.

My Review :

I usually read thriller /crime books. But this book by Tanima Das intrigued me . I was interested to know how the different senses can take back to different lifetimes.

What I really liked about the book is the fact that this book is a fantasy adventure and how beautifully the author has taken the idea of different sense and has created into a fun fantasy ride. She has also used the concept of Hindu Mythology and astrology in the book. How Dhruv  is transported into an alternate time zone, where the senses,  Dristi and Sparsha – show him his failures is very interesting. It is a fast paced book and the characterization of the main Protagonist, Dhruv has been done wonderfully. The writing is crisp and easy for everyone to read. Overall a fun read.

I'm looking forward to reading the second part of this book.

About the Author :

Tanima Das is an author from India.

She won the prestigious Write India contest three times, in 2018, 2019 and 2020, earning lavish praises from Twinkle Khanna, Clare Mackintosh and Salman Rushdie.

Her short stories have won awards and love over various media platforms.

Tanima's work has been published extensively in India and abroad. Her stories are regular in popular magazines like Woman's Era.

She works currently as a software engineer while writing remains the one true love of her life.

The Sorcery of the Senses is part 1 of her fantasy novel series. Backed by originality, pace and plot depth, it makes a racy read.

Rating : 4/5

This review is a part of  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review 

#bookchatter #blogchatter #bookreview

Book Review - Happimess

 BOOK REVIEW

Title               : Happimess

Author           : Biswajit Banerji

Genre            : Humor / Sataire

Format          : Paperback

No. of pages : 151

Publisher     : Locksley Hall Publishing LLP

Link to buy:  https://www.amazon.in/HAPPIMESS-BISWAJIT-BANERJI/dp/8194382041/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ATI8PJGO51EC&keywords=happimess&qid=1679999624&sprefix=happimess%2Caps%2C529&sr=8-1

Blurb :

Happimess is a collection of naughty stories that make us laugh while constantly poking fun at social peculiarities. Narrated mostly in the first person, the stories center around everyday situations that get oddly tangled up. Once frantic efforts are made to wriggle out, things only get more messy. Flippant and irreverent, the net of satire is cast wide, spanning conspiring home-appliances, outlandish diseases, nosy insurance agents, die-hard hagglers, a botched farewell speech and the like. It is the constant undercurrent of funny disorderliness that serves to spice-up and unite the stories.

My Review :

I am a big fan of thriller and mystery books. I had never read a satirical book before and was intrigued when I read the blurb. It seemed really interesting. Also, lately I have started reading many books by Indian authors and I must say that I quite like their writing.

Happimess is a collection 13 short stories which are hilarious but have a slight sarcasm at the same time. Each story is a very quick read and you can enjoy it over a cup of coffee. As you read, you realize,that some of us have definitely gone through it at some point of time. I'll be very honest, it takes a little time to get used to the humor and satire.But once you get the hang of it, it's a really fun  book.  Some of the situations from the book reminded me of watching a British comedy show. The writing style of the author is crisp and neat. He has the ability to find humor in the most ordinary day to day stuff. 

If you enjoy reading short stories, you should definitely read this book. A few stories will definitely crack you up with laughter and you'll definitely feel good after reading the book. 

About the Author:

Biswajit is a prolific humorist and author of hundreds of bestsellers - all in his dreams. In reality, this is his debut book. His satirical ramblings, poetry and travel - writing have been published accidentally in several literary journals, periodicals and websites. For a living, he serves in a senior position in a leading Public Sector Steel Unit.

Rating : 3.5/5

This review is a part of  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review 

#bookchatter #blogchatter #bookreview

Book Review - Zero Day

Book Review

Name             : Zero Day

Author           : S. Hussain Zaidi

Genre            : Fiction / Drama

Format          : Paperback

No. of pages : 224

Publisher     : Harper Collins India

Link to buy : https://www.amazon.in/Zero-Day-S-Hussain-Zaidi/dp/9354893651

Blurb :

Mumbai is in a state of chaos. All traffic signals across the entire city have stopped working.

Shahwaz Ali Mirza, head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, receives an anonymous email claiming it to be a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. He quickly puts together a crack team that includes his protege, IG Cybercrime Vikrant Singh, and gets to work trawling the dark web for more information on this mystery attack. However, a move to bring forward the hacker backfires, leading to a second, deadlier attack on Mumbai's lifeline, the railway system.

It is their first brush with cyberterrorism: a zero-day vulnerability in the Indian government's system that could bring the country to its knees. Racing against time and investigating a case unlike any other, in Zero Day, Mirza and Vikrant face the most dangerous mission of their lives.

Why I read this book :

I am a big fan of fiction , thriller and drama books. Recently I've read fiction and thriller books by Indian authors and I have quite enjoyed reading them. It is a delight to see so many Indian authors writing very good thrillers these days. The blurb intrigued me as in the last few years Mumbai had been under terrorist attack many times and this book was about cyberterrorism which seemed really interesting.

My Review :

To be very honest I would say that it was a very interesting and easy read. The author has explained about cyterterrorism exhaustively. It is amazing how precisely the minds of terrorists work and how they plan a deadly attack. I got goosebumps  while reading some parts of the book. Through this book, the author takes the reader to many areas and conditions which we are not aware of. These can be suppressed because of political agendas and the public never comes to know. 

The only thing which I did not like about the book was the title of the book. I felt that the author could've given a better title. Over all a good book.

About the author:

S. Hussain Zaidi is a veteran of investigative, crime and terror reporting. His previous books include Black Friday, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Dongri to Dubai, Byculla to Bangkok, Mumbai Avengers and Eleventh Hour, some of which have been adapted into Bollywood films. Hussain Zaidi lives with his family in Mumbai. 

Rating : 3.5/5

This review is a part of  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review 

#bookchatter #blogchatter #bookreview

How to find your zen for mindfulness ?

How to find your zen for mindfulness ? 

image source: www.pexels.com

Zen in simple terms means awareness through meditation. Zen is a meditation technique practiced by Buddhists psychology. You can achieve zen by practicing mindful techniques.Zen meditation means to be in the present state and not be judgmental. You can practice zen in your day to day life by slowing down and taking breaks in your day to day life. 

Tips to introduce zen in your life :

Make a morning routine:

Waking up early in the morning before anyone else wakes up is always calming. Set aside that time only for yourself without your phone or any other electronic gadget. You can read, meditate or workout. Do whatever you want to do but do it only for yourself. 

Take deep breaths :

One of the main principles of mindfulness is to be aware of your breaths In order to find your zen too be aware of your breathing. Take deep breaths. You can even chant a mantra while taking deep breaths.

Take frequent breaks:

No matter how busy you are, take frequent breaks in between your work and walk around. This will help you relieve stress and you will be more at peace. 

Go out in the outdoors :

As all of us have very busy schedules, we hardly go out in the open anymore. We are only confined to the inside. Not going out in the fresh air can lead to stress and anxiety. Going out can definitely uplift your mood and is a stress buster too.

Let go of negativity :

Holding on to any form of grudges is not good for health. Too much negativity causes stress and anxiety. It is always  not easy to let go of negative feelings or thoughts. The best way to deal this to have a journal or a diary. Pen down your thoughts when you are feeling low or sad. 

"Now" is the time:

Remember that "Now" is the time. You can have a beautiful picture on your desk or phone. A positive quote always helps. Both picture and the quote are a reminder of enjoying the present moment.

Attaining your zen is not impossible. You need to work towards it and you will realize how beautiful the life is !

This post is a part of  #BlogchatterA2Z   ( https://www.theblogchatter.com )