Spam Alert!

The other day I just happened to notice that my blog Book Vue had a sudden increase in traffic and the stats credited the source to one "ourmeets.com". I wanted to check the site out but, thankfully, didn't click on the link. Instead I Googled and found out that it was a pornographic site that increases (fake) traffic into blogs so that you would click the links to check it out.

Bloggers, please be cautious of such sites. You don't want an unknown site intruding your blog and infesting your computer with viruses! Apparently, despite ducking behind firewalls, none of us are safe in cyberspace!

Paper Boat Drinks - A Product Review

# This is a requested review #

Summer's around the corner and coincidentally, I'm reviewing a range of ready to serve beverages from a new brand, Paper Boat. They sent me samples and wanted me to write an honest review about them on my blog. Sure thing, I said! I get to taste and write, how could this get any better!


Paper Boat Drinks and Memories

I received the package in a box and the drinks were all packed in one eco-friendly bag. It certainly looked appealing. There were seven drinks inside.

My Experience

The first thing I did when I got their email was to check their website. I was just a couple of minutes into exploring when all my childhood memories came rushing back!

My childhood. New Delhi. Summer. When the entire country reeled under the sweltering heat, we stayed indoors and carried on with our summer pastime. Whether it was eating sweet juicy mangoes while playing carrom or watching a movie while our moms prepared nimbu paani, the heat could never ever catch up to us. It could never dehydrate our spirits. Without any air conditioning back then, we would find relief under a full speed fan and a cooler. Lollies, golas, kulfis, and home made drinks were our amusements. Ah, those bygones!

The Paper Boat website is like opening up an old scrapbook and facing your long lost childhood memories. That's why the tagline - drinks and memories. Their current flavors include Aamras, Aam Panna, Jaljeera, Imli Ka Amlana, Jamun Kala Khatta, Golgappe Ka Paani and Kokum. All the typical summery drinks with loads of sweet memories that we all seem to have forgotten somehow. Well, with these drinks not only can you have them all back but can also enjoy them whenever you like!

The pouches are cute with an easy-to-pour spout. My husband and elder son were at home when the parcel arrived and they were super excited to try these! So, here is what I think of the flavors.



1. Aam Panna

My aunt used to make aam panna at home during summers and we kids would guzzle it all up but could never have enough of it. The sweetness and sourness should tally correctly to bring out the genuine flavors of the raw mangoes. There are some syrups and crushes in this flavor available but none of them is close to the authenticity of home made ones.

Enter Paper Boat's Aam Panna. Sweet, right amount of sourness and spices all combine to make a medley of tastes in the mouth. The closest to home made ones I have ever come across. Delightful and a treat to your taste buds. Do try this one.









2. Aamras

Aamras is usually had with meals during summers. Pair it with hot puris and you don't need anything else to satiate yourself. Enriched with vitamins, ripe mangoes improve the immune system and aid in digestion. Apart from health benefits, it is an experience in itself to slurp the pulp out from the mangoes into our mouths!

This Aamras is particularly thick, like how it should be, and not too sweet like those mango soft drinks out there. It really tastes great and my son emptied the entire pouch! It is particularly a hit with him so next time I have a party at home, I know what to serve the drooling bunch of kids!








3. Golgappe Ka Paani

Yes, you read it right, a flavor called Golgappe Ka Paani! I must say, it is a first! I have never come across such a flavor. The golgappa syrup is usually made of tamarind pulp, mint leaves and spices to create a concoction that tantalizes your taste buds in so many ways! I'm so proud that we Indians have got so many street food options to devour! Lucky us!

This flavor is a little high on sourness, my opinion. The mint and spices come through alright, but maybe a little too sour for me. But don't let that stop you from trying this one out.











4. Imli Ka Amlana

Ok, so I didn't know such a drink exists. I mean I had to Google to find out what this drink was all about. I found out that Imli Ka Amlana is a tangy drink made of tamarind pulp and some spices best served chilled, just like all the other ones here. Tamarind is the main ingredient as it cools the body down giving respite from the heat in summers.

Although my husband loved it, I wasn't particularly impressed with this drink. It just seemed a little plain to me. It lacked the punch all the other flavors had. Least impressive of the whole lot.










5. Jaljeera

Jaljeera is generally used as an appetizer. It contains spices like cumin, lemon juice, black pepper and is perfect during summers for dehydrated souls. It helps in digestion and nausea too.

I've had Jaljeera countless times out in restaurants but it never really interested me. It would either be too watery or unnecessarily laden with spices. I have never tasted homemade jaljeera so I actually don't know what it should taste like. I wasn't too sure about this one either, but then I had to taste it to review it.

And I was stumped! I'm declaring that I haven't tasted a better jaljeera in my life before! No, I'm not exaggerating, you have to taste it to believe it! Very flavorsome, a perfect combination of sweet, sour, cumin and other spices, it adds a zing to your mouth. A very refreshing drink and it is my top favorite!




6. Jamun Kala Khatta

The very mention of Kala Khatta makes me crave for an ice crushed gola! And here, we have a drink to savour the sweet and tangy flavors of this quintessential favorite. How exciting!
This drink is derived from Jamuns, popularly eaten by kids to show off their stained tongues! But it is also good for diabetics. It is charged with antioxidants along with a host of other nutrients and minerals.

Jamun Kala Khatta has a nice pinkish hue. I had a sip and the taste that hit my palate was that of the one you get the moment you bite into a jamun. True flavors and right combination of spices make this a wonderful drink. Loved it! One of my favorites among all.






7. Kokum

I live in Pune and during summers I stumble upon kokum juices and squashes at almost every store I visit. It is a favorite during the season and is extremely healthy. It is known for its coolant properties apart from its nutritive values.

I was out shopping the other day and as I came back exhausted and thirsty, this kokum drink that was stashed away in my refrigerator came to my rescue! Amazingly refreshing, thirst quenching with an ideal balance of sweet and sour, it is a perfect drink for your body and your taste buds! Delicious!









I Like:

• The drinks have original flavors and can be enjoyed by all, age no bar!
• Although there are many Indian drinks in the market, the range of flavors Paper Boat offers is impressive.
• No artificial preservatives added, so that's a thumbs up.
• Not heavy on the (husband's!) pocket.
• Easy to carry pouches. Perfect for an outing/travel.

I Don't Like:

• There is absolutely nothing that I do not like about these drinks. Period.

Price: Rs. 30/- for a 250 ml pouch.


Where to Buy

You can find them in any of the supermarkets like Reliance Mart.


Final Thoughts

I loved all of the flavors (except Imli Ka Amlana) but that is purely my judgement. All these drinks are best served chilled. Paper Boat has launched their beverages at an ideal time, so these are going to be indispensable in my kitchen this season. I would highly recommend these drinks and would urge people to go and try these for an unforgettable experience. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Hopefully, we'll get to taste more flavors (and in bigger pouches too!) from them soon.


A Special Mention

The Paper Boat website is especially beautiful and attractive. Makes you want to browse the entire site non stop. Rarely do you come across such sites you just don't want to leave. Their Facebook page is also very interesting with many images reminding me of my childhood days. Here are some of them.











                   

Do check out their website: Paper Boat.      Visit them on Facebook here.

Go Further to Get Closer

It is the ultimate happiness in life when you and the one you love have all the time in the world just to be yourselves. Amidst our daily chores and routine, if we carefully analyse, we are so occupied with tasks that need to be finished that we are rarely left with any time to think about ourselves let alone our loved ones. Whether as an office goer or a home maker, our duties take our top most priority. We never look back at those whom we leave behind while chasing the many dreams and ambitions. Of course, we work and earn so that our family lives a better life. But giving them undivided love and attention in frequent bouts is just as crucial.

Some of us may argue that we do want to spend time with the family but "Time kahan hai?" (Where is the time?). Time is right here, as it has always been. If we want to accomplish something, then we simply have to make the time. Out of our busy schedules, meetings, household chores, grocery shopping... whatever. Steal little moments for a hug or a kiss. Or get away from all the nagging errands that do not allow you to have love filled moments to yourselves. Go someplace far away, take a breather.  Hold hands, look into each other's eyes and relish the moment. Like this video here that shows how you can transform your desires into reality. Take a look.


                                                        Go Further to Get Closer

It is that simple. Want to do something together? Want to run far away from it all? Just do it.
Sometimes you have to go further to get closer.




******   Post written for the Go Further to Get Closer contest on Indiblogger  *******

Knowledge is Great

If I had to choose a subject that I would like to specialize in, it would undoubtedly be my all time favorite, English. And what better place to gather some knowledge than the British Council, UK’s international organization that presents people with learning opportunities across the globe.

British Council is an organization that helps create educational opportunities and cultural associations in different countries. It focuses on spreading the knowledge of the English language to as many corners of the world as possible. Not only does it produce some of the best competitive students, the organization also provides an array of unique certified teaching courses and exams. It also holds workshops and cultural events where students participate to help expand its growing network.

So whether you want to learn, teach or simply perk up your English, the best place to head is to the British Council, a powerhouse of knowledge.


******   Post written for the Knowledge is Great contest on Indiblogger  *******

Sleepless

It is one minute past ten at night and I am sitting in front my laptop. With only the light from my screen to light up the room it gives the impression of that desperate teenager waiting for the parents to sleep so as to browse the net undetected. But the truth is far from that.

Yes, I am desperate. But not for the filthy reasons creeping up your mind. After the entire day spent on the daily chores and back to back kids 'intervention', I finally get some peace at night. So, I wait. Like the crouching tiger slowly closing in on its prey, I slowly get up from my bed towards my laptop and switch it on. Ah! This silence, this truce. It is precious! And then, as my husband snores away in his sleep and my kids dream away to wonderland (or some cartoon land for all I care!), I sit and check my emails, browse through Facebook, write blog posts( such as this) and update myself with the virtual world.

I like this. Spending my quiet time either browsing or listening to my playlist. It is my 'me' time. Of course, I compromise on my sleep which sometimes makes me drowsy and even giddy at times but I would never trade this reserved time for anything else. I can always catch up on sleep later, is what I tell myself.

Here's to all the night prowlers like me who enjoy doing whatever it is that they do!

Andha Kanoon

The verdict that all Indians have been waiting for is out. All the four accused in the Delhi gang rape case have been sentenced to death by a fast track court. The only good part about the entire episode is that all this was done within nine months of the horrendous crime. But is this good enough? Is it good enough for the victim's soul? Or for her parents? Will any punishment be painful enough for those animals-in-a-human-skin?

There was also a 17 year old among those men who ,allegedly, was the most violent of the lot. Due to his age, he gets to walk away from all this after spending three years in a correction home in the name of punishment. I'm sure he will have no regrets about his acts when he has finished his sentence.

And then what? Should we, the parents, the citizens of this vast and secular nation, wait? Wait for the day when such 'juveniles' commit more crimes and tortures so that the Indian law allows them to be tried in the court as a proper assaulter? Or wait till such people are convicted and meanwhile continue to snatch away our daughters/children?

India is rejoicing today. They say justice has prevailed. I'm sorry but I fail to see the 'justice' in all of this.

Being Round

I'm back! To being a mother again, to being a sulking wife, to being the regular PMS-ing girl and (most irritating of all) being a roly poly overweight version of myself! Although I have been overweight since ages, for the past couple of years I was so engrossed with my pregnancy and baby care that I casually left those thoughts out. After all, I couldn't do much about my weight during the time. And now that I am at leisure to properly gauge myself in the mirror, it isn't a pretty sight, to say the least!

So here I am, thinking about diets and exercises and best ways to lose weight. We will be celebrating my younger son's first birthday in Trivandrum with my in-laws and I don't want to go back as the same old, bigger than ever, me! I could very well do without the mocking glances and sarcastic comments.

Therefore, I have decided to try my best ( and by best I don't mean jumping on the crash diet wagon because I know from experience how harrowing they can be!) by combining exercise and healthy eating and wait to see what follows. Fingers crossed!

"If thoughts had weight, I would be the slimmest person ever!"