The best part about running contests is the fun we have brainstorming.Some things work out, some don’t.In the end, we learn.
Last week we ran into a little problem explaining the rules of the contest.So this week when you submit your post through the blue button at the end of this post.Don’t forget to click on the Rafflecopter button to add up your points.
Rafflecopter is a cool tool to launch your blog giveaways and contests.Best part they have interesting tips to make your giveaway work.
This week’s prompt:
#MMM week 2 #Contest question.
5Best resorts in and around your city !
MONDAY MOMMY Moments 15TH May Prompt
[bctt tweet=”#MMM week 2 #Contest question. 5Best resorts in and around your city ! Write ,link up & enter the contest #MMM @Deepagandhi1″ username=”misra_amrita”]
Use #Mondaymommymoments or #MMM in your post and share in social media using the same hashtag.
By Joining the linky you are giving us permission to email and or tweet you a weekly reminder.
Did you know reading blogs makes your Alexa better?
We deeply believe in community spirit.Eagerly looking forward to visiting your blogs.
Prompts will be announced every Sunday at 21.00 hrs IST.Linky opens till Sunday 21.00 hours.We always visit the blogs and promote them as much as possible.It’s like your own blog promo.What’s not to love?
We share your entries on twitter and other social media platforms generously. Who doesn’t like blog promotion?
Mothers Day Contest
MMM is all about supporting other moms and this mother’s day we are planning some activities to support all the mom bloggers.
If you are writing an E-book, we are going to promote it through our blogs.Just send us a blurb ,your author bio and a profile pic.
We also have a May#supermom contest
Share with us your thoughts on the topic-
week 1 :
The most beautiful part of being a mom / Salute to mother hood
or 10 Best mothers day gift ideas .
One thing you like about being a mom #MondayMommyMoments Prompt
Submit as personal experiences, short stories, or poems.
Having a blog is not mandatory.If you don’t have a blog, e-mail us your entries todramrita@healthwealthbridge.com or deepagandhi1 @gmail.com and we will post on our blogs with your authorship
All entries must be within 350-500 words.
All poetry entries should be more than three stanzas.
Subscribe to both our blogs like & follow the Facebook pages too.
Your work should be original. Don’t get bitten by too much inspiration that your work fails the plagiarism checker.We know you can do it.
All entries should be sent on or before 31st M May 2017.So HURRY!
The decision of the judges will be final.
Share your entries on social medias and tag 3 friends.
Winners will be chosen by a special judge on the following basis
1. Follow all rules
2. Content
3. Tag 3 friends
[bctt tweet=”#Mothersday2017 #contest 3 things to win.Write ,link up & follow rules.4 prizes! #MMM” username=”misra_amrita”]
Don’t worry if you are not a blogger or do not have a blog, just share your entry with us at deepagandhi21@gmail.com or dramritasfdg@gmail.com and we will share it on our blogs.
Mothers Day Contest 2017 with 3MondayMommyMoments
Prizes:
The first winner gets Rs 750 Amazon gift voucher, the Second winner gets Rs 500 gift voucher and 2 third prize winners each gets 250 Rs gift voucher each. Also #MMM super mom winner certificates.
I started podcasting for a simple reason. It’s fun and was the main reason I started blogging.I am a fan of the SPI podcast for ages. Pat Flynn and his Podcasts are legendary.
I enjoyed listening to and downloading the transcripts. I enjoy how easy content consumption is on smart passive income. The result is I spend hours on SPI. I researched podcasting way back in 2014. It looked like a lot of work. WordPress and Hostgator made my Blogging journey so much less stressful. Also, recording software and hardware are expensive. I read everything I could lay my hands on, writing on my blog looked easier to start.M y Podcast was to be delayed by two and a half years when the Universe intervened.
A little backstory:
I always loved Radiomirchi and used to listen to it a lot. Then life got busy and with so many things clamoring for attention I lost touch. With podcast entering my life I found the missing element on my online journey.I love reading and read print books and ebooks, blogs constantly. But sometimes while doing housework when I can’t read, I catch up on my favorite podcasts.
But guess what Anchor is your answer. You can start podcasting now with this cool app.
How to start Podcasting in India with Anchor nowGet it on Google Play
Download and install on Phone.
Make an account on Anchor.
Start recording.
There are certain basics you need to plan though.Like your content!
Pros of Anchor:
Makes podcasting on the go easy.
Easy to record with guests. There’s an add a friend option where you can send a link to your friend who needs to download the app and just join you. It’s that easy.
You can have a transcript made.
A video can be made. Shareable short-form video clips are possible for short audio recordings.
They submit your podcats to iTunes, Google Podcasts, Radiocasts and many other sites, you have to do nothing!
You can rearrange segments in the podcast.
You can import podcasts from other hosts.
You can use the RSS feed of Anchor and use that for other podcast sites.
Anchor app review
Cons:
The add a guest option can be tricky if internet connectivity is a problem on either side. But the good news is you can record a phone conversation and add that audio clip too!
The transcription services need serious editing because your Indian accent may be difficult for the app to understand.
The video features are very basic. But gets the work done.
What else could make it better?
Basic editing cut clip add options.
To.enable subscription options.
Options to add own pics or stock photos to the video.That will be the gamechanger.
Because the current waves video can be a little boring.
Boost up support
But is all this free?
Yes. Amazing right? The people over at Anchor has included everything your heart desires for easy Podcasting. Plus they are also giving you unlimited hosting for free! At the moment they have not announced any paid plans.
So how will they make money?
Good question. That has not been revealed yet. But once they do I will let you know.
Interesting fact: I started podcasting on Soundcloud. But their android app didn’t allow recording podcast. But with Anchor its a breeze. Let me know what you think about this app in the comments below!
Social significance: If you are unable to see or write, you can still start your own Podcast!That’s achance of a lifetime.Think about it.
Final Thoughts:
If you want to try your hand at podcasting but not sure whether it’s your thing, try with Anchor podcast app. You will avoid expensive mistakes. I am saving for a better audio quality basic setup.B ut this app will help you get started quickly now!
We have shifted six homes in 9 years. So we have a few rules for our home to make it healthy and comfortable.I love making my home beautiful. But first priority is always making it a healthy home. I ensure water and air quality. Home appliances help me make a healthy home. They definitely make life easier.You can also read my lessons from Make Room For What You Love, Love the Home You Have, and about the Magic of Clearing Up.
Affiliate Disclosure: A few links in this blog post may be affiliate links that, which means I will earn a small commission in case you buy through the link at no additional cost to you. This is a way to help support the website. Thank you for all your help.
My 10 favorite home appliances for a healthy home:
Number one
(Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in the next part of the post.That means if you do click on a link and buy something I will get a small commission.This in no way affects the product price for you.I recommend only products I personally use and love.Your help and support is a big part of how I maintain this website.All help is deeply appreciated.You can tweet what you bought tagging me.I will always respond.)
One room with Air -conditioner gets fitted first.This has been the most important rule since the time we got married.When our old AC had suddenly died , we went to an AC shop at 9 pm.Wrote a cheque and gave a little cash upfront and bought an Air-conditioner in 15 minutes flat.I knew my mind really well.That’s because I googled and read reviews to find the best AC in India.At 10 pm that night the LG servicemen visited. Installed the AC and left within 45 minutes!. That’s service. Can you hear fangirl speak here? That’s because since then the only AC I have bought for my other rooms and my childhood home has been LG too.No troubles, great service and looks awesome.
Number two
Clean water: Water-borne diseases form the bulk of infectious disease in India.From gastroenteritis to hepatitis A and E, worms, typhoid, and cholera. Everything is traced back to water.I never compromise on water quality for drinking or cooking. I researched extensively to find the best water purifier. Heavy metals in water dangerous.So water purifier is a must for a healthy home.When we shifted to our new home in Malda, first .my hubby got the water purifier and first. Everything else took second place. Air and water, basic necessities which needs great care.
Number three
The Airfryer: I have written about air fryer previously.It’s very important if you love your fries and still want to cut down on the oil.Also, Indian cooking involves frying which can be done very well with a fraction of the oil in an air fryer. I have been using, this air fryer byPhilips for the last 4 years and I love it.I wish I could carry it when I travel and make the hotels use this for my food.You cannot believe how great it is , till you try.
Number 4
Microwave and OTG: It’s really easy to reheat and my baking attacks.I have been using my microwave for the last 10 years and its the only brand I recommend.LG stole my heart 10years back and I am still a loyal customer.
Number 5
Food processor: This is a live saver.Especially when I want to cook non-veg.The onion garlic paste is ready in a jiffy.It can juice a carrot, chop stuff, make mince, anything !I bought this in 2009.It shifted six homes with me and still with me.How great is that?I sincerely believing in buying for keeps.Why would I want to buy new appliance, every few years,if what I have is superlative?
Number 6
Washing Machine: I absolutely hate washing clothes by hand.The washing machine is my life saver.Clean clothes are a part of a healthy home.You can’t ignore this very important appliance.
Number 7
Refrigerator
Mentioned lower down in the list.But you just can’t live without this right?Imagine cooking 4 times a day, every day,365 days forever!Life would be difficult!A good refrigerator retains the goodness of your fresh produce and the taste of cooked ones.I have a 7-year-old Samsung refrigerator.It is very well behaved. and has never given me any reason to complain.
Number 8
Geyser: I need this for my daughter.She likes the water to be just right.Not hot or cold but perfect.Otherwise, she catches a cold.Why am i mentioning my daughter?I love water at the perfect temperature too .Enter our trusty Bajaj Geyser.
Number 9
Pop up toaster: Breakfast is a breeze when you use a pop-up toaster.My daughter loves toast too!
Number 10
Hand blender: This was a gift from my sister on my birthday for my cake baking adventures.Now I can’t live without it.I have only shared about products and appliances I have at home and use.Nothing which I don’t.The average life span of my products is 8 years.I have been married 10 years now.So that makes sense right?When you get married and start a family, you may not be able to afford everything at once. It’s better to save a little and buy, rather than take out loans for it. Be responsible with money and life will be hassle-free.
Also remember its always better to spend for quality products which last for long rather than buy new things every year.
What are your favorite home appliances for a healthy home? What would you like to gift your mom, this Mother’s day to make life easier?
Comment below to let me know.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.I have shared my experience with making my home healthy and comfortable.All buying decisions shouldbe done at own risk. This website is in no way responsible for any purchase decision made.
I got to know Aritra only a few months book during the course of the Super Blogger Challenge. A silent and sincere writer who doesn’t say no to a challenge. Her blog posts reflect her deep insight into social issues, which we are often afraid to talk about. She gives a very nuanced perspective, delicately balanced with sensitivity and strength. In a world clamoring for attention, her voice is gently almost like a whisper, but it has the strength of steel.
When I read her book introspection that’s what I felt.A gentle soul with a strong sense of social responsibility. Today on my Blog Aritra shares her journey and her secrets. The Author Interview of the week!
Why did you want to write the book?
When I was blogging seriously the idea of writing a book had struck from nowhere. I just knew I wanted to write one, which amalgamates social causes with a relatable romantic story of today’s couples. The name had also just struck me ‘INTROSPECTION”.
BOOK REVIEW : INTROSPECTION
What is this book about?
This book is the evocative journey of a young couple as they travel the rough path of life. The intention is the amalgamation of a beautiful and relatable story with social messages and the ingrained bourgeoisie.
Who helped you write the book?
My husband was very helpful. He didn’t only support me emotionally, but also helped me come out of non-creative phases.
Tell us about your Writing habits
Since I have a job, I generally write late at night. Cannot actually specify the number of hours, but when I was completely into the novel I wrote till 2 or 3 at night. Proofreading and editing were done by a professional editor. Although I did make some changes after that and then proofread myself. The formatting of the book was done by my publisher.
Tell us a little about your background
I am a chemical engineer by profession and writer by passion.I was born in the magnificent and chic township of ‘Steel Authority of India’ in Kulti, West Bengal, I had an extremely fulfilling childhood. I have done my schooling from Assembly of God Church. During my graduation, I moved to Kolkata. After completing my B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calcutta, I shifted to Surat, Gujarat, and started working in Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). And for the last four years, I am in Mumbai, where I stay with my husband, Avishek. I continue to work with RIL.
ARITRA:Author Interview
Do u think your background helped u to write?
Yes, absolutely.
When u started blogging did you plan to write a book?
No
Your favorite quote?
[bctt tweet=”If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars. By Rabindranath Tagore” username=”misra_amrita”]
Did you have a launch plan?
Yes, my husband had planned the launch with the help of some of our friends.
How happy are you with the milestone?
I feel surreal. There was a point when I had no hope of publishing it, so it’s fulfilling to publish it, launch it and then get great reviews on it.
Tell us about your future plans.
I am working on my second novel. I really want to write books which have positive impacts on our society.
(There may be affiliate links in the following section of the post. That means I may make a small commission if you decide to buy anything after clicking on the link. Affiliate income helps support the website and keeps all content free for readers. I only recommend products and services which I have personally tried and liked. Thank you for all your help. Read my Affiliate disclaimer here)
When I first read Ana’s World it was a skydiving post.I remember she had written, that they have to sign a consent form,since it’s a high-risk activity.Doing something which can kill you and sign a form for it takes some guts.That’s when I was hooked.I always wanted to skydive or at least do a bungee jump.This amazing woman actually did that.Mind-blowing right?Even more, interestingly she is a style travelerand always takes care to look Insta perfect, but not compromising on comfort!
We all know how difficult that is.Traveling, writing, sharing and looking like a million bucks.That’s tough.I write aboutchild-friendly travel destinations.So travel posts I know, need special care.Imagine building up a blog based on where you are going.That can make travel so much fun,but you need to do it right.
Ana is a project management professional, toastmaster, founder and creator of travel blog Ana’s World. Fun and energy define her. A Star Wars nerd, she is fond of deadly roller coaster rides and everything that gives a high adrenaline rush. She has traveled solo for almost 3 years and has made friends from around the globe.
Sharing tips today is Ana Ojha from Ana’s world.
1) Who is your target audience?
My target audiences are people from 21 years to 45 years of age. My blog inspires them to move out of their comfort zone to travel in style and explore the world.
Grand Canyon: Pic Credit Ana Ojha
2) How many blogs do you manage?
Presently I’m managing my own personal travel blog Ana’s World. I also manage the social media content and the official website of my Toastmasters Club as I am the Vice President of Public Relations.
3) Best blog design tips from your experience?
The blog layout should be neat and easy to navigate. Depending upon your niche, you need to focus on your theme. For instance, if you’re a travel blogger, you need to choose that theme which enhances your pictures. I believe in keeping the background of blog theme as white because it is easy to read.
4) How do you manage family, work and personal care? Give us your best time management tips.
Travel blogging is tough because you’ve to be on the road to find your new content and transform it into your masterpiece traveling tales. You have to think about taking a perfect shot for your Instagram and blog posts. Sometimes you have limited internet connection, but you’ve to share your Insta-story or keep Snapchatting with your followers.
Though travel blogging looks quite lucrative by staying in exotic resorts, enjoying finest food and drinks but sometimes its other side of the coin.
Pic Credit Ana Ojha
No matter how you’re feeling on your trips whether fighting with your jet lag or feeling sick, you’ve to respond to your emails, create a post and update your real-time social media platforms. It’s pretty hectic at times.
But most important thing is if you love what you do, you’ll manage everything.
5) What are the 5 Best blogging practices?
i) Be creative
ii) Understand what your readers want (Now this is quite tricky but you need to analyze your Google Analytics reports or statistics plugins to understand the reading pattern of the readers on your blog.
iii) Create your post with amazing content adding your personal touch.
iv) Take high-quality picture. If you’re not a professional photographer, depending upon your niche either hire a photographer for professional pictures or use the pictures from the websites which are under Creative Commons CCO
v) Learn about SEO as much as you can or hire professional for help.
Skydiving at Sky dive City:Pic Credit Ana Ojha
Also, the hardest truth of blogging is – Don’t expect all your Facebook friends and family to read your blog posts and engage with your social media platforms. They might not be interested in your content. You need to target right audience who are really interested in your content.
6) Which email service do you use? Why do you like them?
I use MailChimp and Gmail. MailChimp is amazing for sending bulk emails/ newsletters. I like Gmail for its simplicity. Though it doesn’t have those advanced features that MailChimp offers.
7) Give us your top 5 ways of making money from your blog. Which one is your favorite and why?
i) Affiliate links
ii) Brand Collaborations
iii) Sponsored Social Media posts
iv) Freelance writing
v) Sponsored Media trips (If you’re a travel blogger)
My favorite is sponsored media trips as sometimes money doesn’t matter. What counts is how much fun you had meeting fellow travelers, influencers, building your network and self-promoting yourself.
Holding Baby Gator at Everg :Pic credit Ana Ojha
8)Do you have any products?
My blog is my ultimate product through which I not only share my traveling tales but also city guides, best places to stay and restaurants to eat so that my readers and followers can plan their unforgettable trips. As a style traveler, my blog also inspires my readers to follow the latest street style fashion and beauty tips to look camera-ready for different getaways and pack their bags accordingly.
As an adrenaline junkie, I’m fond of ultimate thrill and adventures. On my blog, I also share such stories to inspire anyone who is craving for some adrenaline.
9)Your inspiration and favorite quote
My inspiration in life is my dad for my go-getter attitude.I don’t have any favorite quote as such but my motto in life is
YOLO – You Only Live Once
Therefore go for your wild dreams and live your life fullest so that you don’t have anything to regret on your deathbed.
10)What do you love about being a blogger?
Blogging has been the most wonderful experience in my life. I wish I could have started it earlier. This is an amazing virtual world where you get a chance to meet extraordinary like-minded people who share a common dream and support each other. I’ve met many wonderful people across the globe and made few of them as friends forever.
11)Tips & Your message for struggling Bloggers?
My only tip and message to struggling bloggers is to chase their dreams, be creative and understand your readers. And please do engage your readers in discussions on your blog and other social media platform to acknowledge how special they are. Sometimes I don’t get time to respond every comment but I always ensure to like all my reader’s valuable comments.
12) What’s your vision for this venture?
With my blog, I want to inspire as many people as I can to travel, explore and up their style quotient while they travel.
13 )What is your advice to budding travel bloggers?
Always remember that you can’t start making money from your blog during its initial days unless you’re a big celebrity! Therefore don’t focus on your audacious goal but try to keep it simple. Don’t stress yourself too much about HTML, CSS, SEO’s and hacking social media game on your first day. You’ll learn everything gradually. The most important thing is to enjoy your trip without taking too much pressure on capturing the perfect Instagram shots of places you’re exploring, food you’re eating or all the adventures you’re doing. Enjoy that moment to your heart’s content and if you’ll enjoy, your pictures or videos will turn out fabulous!
15)How many places have you traveled to? Tell us if possible.
I was born, raised and started my corporate career in India before moving to the United States. So, I’ve traveled 19 states in India. I’ve also traveled to Nepal. In the United States, I’ve traveled to 16 states and 74 cities as of now. Looking forward to visiting all its 50 states! As a beach lover, out of all the 5 oceans, I’ve seen the beaches of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
16)Are you involved in any charitable causes ?
I’m volunteering for Feeding America and working for a local NGO supporting Breast Cancer.
15)Tell us a little bit about your family. Who is your biggest support?
I always had a nuclear family and a very happy childhood. My parents always supported me in everything I did whether choosing a career or my wildest dream of jumping from the plane during my first skydiving. When I went for my second skydiving last month, I called my mom before diving and she said, “Don’t die and call me after doing your nuisance”!
I’ve a younger brother who always inspires me to chase my dreams.
I’ve been married for almost two years and fortunately, my husband is quite supportive too. I’ve been traveling solo for last few years and he also accompanies me on some of my trips whenever he is free. The best part about my husband is he believes in my dreams and supports me with everything he can. Otherwise managing work, traveling and blogging would have been impossible for me.
When I review a book, fiction or nonfiction I play a game.I always like to think about what the author must have felt while writing the book. For this book, it was an interesting journey.
Today I am reviewing Introspection by Aritra Chakrabarty Sengupta.
Book Summary:
A very interesting book which I must say handles a very difficult topic.
Mental illness and the effect of childhood on emotional health is woven into a love story.
The story of Aniket and Arushi two very successful beautiful people who fall in love get married and rise together.
Major life changes happen some good, some challenging and some unexpected. How will this affect these two people? How will they live together? Will their love survive? The author explores a delicate social and health issues to give us some very good nuggets of wisdom.
Questions which comes to mind after reading the book:
How does childhood affect future relationships? Do your parent’s marriage affect your own? Is it wrong to want your child to do his or her best? Maybe we need a balance.
As parents, we must help children understand the quality of life. A life plan where that studies must be supplemented by creative hobbies, sports.Thats the only way to have a well-balanced adult.
The takeaway from the book
When we run after the success we need to introspect and see what exactly is making us happy.
I understand the value of the message Aritra tries to convey. Love companionship timely intervention can and will save lives. It’s also important we don’t put all our eggs of expectation in one basket. Career is important but health and happiness above all.
BOOK REVIEW : INTROSPECTION
Book Review
Pros
The subject: Female narration.Ability to make you feel the pain of the protagonist.Writing style
Very sincere and heartfelt. The author feels deeply about the emotional health and loves life.T hats evident from her choice of subject.
Her choice of protagonist is also interesting. Successful people who can’t cope with failures
What could be better:
The description of the lady doctors life is strangely empty and depressing. That struck a cord. Maybe it’s the social truth which I don’t want to accept but I would rather hope.
Genre: Romance with a strong social message
Who can you gift this book?
All your soon to be married or married friends.
Parents with children of impressionable age.
Anyone who loves books with an uplifting social message.
If you like romance in real life.
(There may be affiliate links in the following section of the post.That means I may make a small commission if you decide to buy anything after clicking on the link. Affiliate income helps support the website and keeps all content free for readers . I only recommend products and services which I have personally tried and liked. Thank you for all your help. Read my Affiliate disclaimer here)
“After a blissful courtship period, Aniket and Arushi finally tied the knot and shifted from Kolkata to Mumbai. Life was beautiful. It was a fairytale romance. But how long?
Little did they know, what lay ahead in their journey! Things changed and personalities altered, as hard reality hit their abode of dreams. When the extremely careerist Aniket, faced an unprecedented downfall in his career graph, his persona went through a radical change. Addiction and depression changed him into a draconian. Or was it unveiling of his true face?
Arushi watched him in dismay and exhausted herself, to regain the bliss of their companionship. However, her efforts proved futile.
But there is more to this story. When eminent psychiatrist Dr. Priyadarshini Ray, took up his case, revelations from his past shocked Arushi. What made Aniket the egoist insecure monster? Will the two, be able to regain the lost beauty of their relationship? Will introspection, change the course of their tale?”
About the Author:
Aritra is from Mumbai, a chemical engineer by profession, blogger, and narrator by passion.Watch out for her author interview.
Disclosure: I received a gift cope from the author and decided to review it on my blog. Kindly read my full disclosure.
