Wellness

Magical Days of Sunshine

By Anuprita Misra on July 30, 2025

You may be tired of hearing this
But it isn’t something to miss
It’s about the best time of your life
There’s no other of this type
If you haven’t understood
Here are some clues
It’s the time your mind is the most tender
Growth and knowledge it renders
Not just in the physical way
The roots of personality it lays.
The happiest time ever
Darkness was not there, never
Full of friends, fun and games,
We children always seemed to think the same
Schools and tests looked such a bore.
Playing around was what we wanted more
Science, English and math problems,
But truly, it was for friends, to school we came.
Picking ripe fruit off the tree
Running about, fully free!
Swimming around in the pond
Pretending to be wizards with magic wands
Have you not guessed?
The time you feel the most blessed?
I promise, the answer is good
Because it is your childhood.

Magical Days of Sunshine -written by Anuprita Misra

Magical Childhood!

Summary:

This poem is a heartfelt reflection on the joys of childhood—a phase of life marked by innocence, imagination, freedom, and learning. Through vivid imagery of carefree play, friendships, and early school memories, the poem celebrates the purity and wonder of those magical years. It serves as both a nostalgic tribute and a gentle reminder of the lasting impact of childhood on our identity.The need remembering care free days and blissful nights.

This poem was written by my daughter for a project and I decided to publish it on the blog because it made me smile

Goa Vibes 2025: A Family-Friendly North Goa Getaway

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on July 22, 2025

🌊 Welcome to Goa 2025: Where Every Moment Sparkles

Goa is easily one of our favorite family holiday destinations.Great beaches ,awesome food and I just love the atmosphere at Goa. It’s relaxing.I have previously blogged about Goa and this time I decide I will first do a travelogue style video followed by a blog post .Since travel means photos and videos,this old WordPress blog cant handle so many video uploaded ,I have youtube to help me do that right.Did you know I wrote a book called Gold in Goa? Check it out here.

This video captures the vibrant essence of Goa in 2025—a place where sun-kissed beaches meet contagious laughter and unforgettable memories. Let’s dive into the highlights!

1. Blissful Beach Scenes

Wide, sandy shores stretch out under a radiant sky. Families play in the gentle surf, friends are enjoying lively beach games, and colorful umbrellas pepper the coastline. The atmosphere is warm, relaxed, and full of joy.

2. Camaraderie & Connections

Shot after shot shows contagious smiles and laughter—couples strolling hand in hand, friends dancing on the sand, and children building sandcastles. It feels like everyone’s in on a shared celebration of life under the sun.

3. Goan Culture in Motion

The video sprinkles in glimpses of Goa’s rich cultural tapestry—with glimpses of vibrant stalls, local street food, spontaneous music sessions, and colorful festivals that animate the beaches. It’s clear that Goan heritage is alive in every frame.

4. Sunsets & Chill Vibes

As the day fades, scenes transition to magical golden hour moments—sunset silhouettes, beachside shacks lighting up, and mellow tunes creating an intimate, peaceful mood. It’s the perfect close to a joyous day.

Why Goa 2025 Should Be on Your Bucket List

Perfect mix of fun & relaxation – Whether you’re dancing, lounging, or exploring, there’s something for everyone.

Family-friendly energy – The video shows a welcoming atmosphere for kids and adults alike.

Authentic cultural flavor – Not just beaches—Goa’s food, music, and traditions shine through.

Dreamy sunsets – The golden hour scenes are pure Instagram gold and soul-soothing.

Travel Tips for Your Goa Adventure

1. Time your visit for festivals – Goa bursts with life during local celebrations; check the calendar and plan accordingly.But if you want regular rates and avoid noisy crowds ,visit during off-seasons like we did in March.I have visited Goa thrice at end of March and its beautiful.Remember Goa is rarely cool .

2. Book beachfront stays – Enjoy front-row access to those waves and sunsets.You dont want long walk or cars for visiting the beach .We went for beach walks to see the sunrise ,after breakfast for bathing and in the evening watching the sunset along with coconut water and plenty of ice -creams and cold coffees.

3. Savor Goan flavors – Don’t miss dishes like vindaloo, sorpotel, and fresh seafood.i love sea food and with the variety you don’t miss rice,roti,bread or dessert

4. Mix lazy days with active fun – From beach naps to water sports, choose your balance.We did it all.We went sailing in the Sal river,dolphin watching in the Arabian sea too with ,water scooter riding paragliding last time.This time it was dolphin watching ,sailing ,visited the Dudh Sagar falls (a very difficult trek )and had a good time splashing in the sea water every day.

Glimpses of the Goa vacation

Goa Vibes 2025: A Family-Friendly North Goa Getaway

“Goa Vibes 2025” travelogue, focusing on a family vacation experience in North Goa.

Family-Friendly North Goa: Despite North Goa often being associated with rowdy holidays, this was a thoroughly,enjoyable family trip, particularly due to the chosen accommodation.
Scenic Beauty and Ambiance: The trip was full of picturesque natural beauty of Goa, from river backwaters to pristine beaches stunning sunrises and sunsets, complemented by great food and the well-maintained resort property.
Relaxation and Activities: The trip balanced moments of relaxation with opportunities for unstructured play, particularly for children, emphasizing that the “sea and the sand is enough for kids and adults.”
Resort as a Central Hub: The chosen resort, La cabana Beach and Resort, played a crucial role in the positive experience, offering a family-friendly atmosphere, good amenities, and direct beach access.

Most Important Facts:

Travel Details:

Destination: Goa (specifically North Goa).
Travelers: A large group including “loads of friends and family.”
Previous Visit: This was the “second time after 2022” visiting Goa.First time I was a kid and dont remember where we stayed.Second time it was Don Sylvia now Novotel Goa.Third time it was
Transportation: Flight from Kolkata to Dabolim airport, Goa.
Time of Year: March (described as “blistering heat of March summer”).

Accommodation – La Cabana Beach and Resort, Mandrem Beach:

Location: North Goa, Mandrem Beach.
Reason for Choice: Despite North Goa’s reputation, it was chosen because “the Lakamana resort seemed to have a very good familyfriendly vibe.”
Positive Attributes:“very good family friendly vibe”
“Scenic beauty of the hotel property”
“Wellkept
“Cold coffee at the hotel was great the view from the beach were great.
“best part was the play area outdoors”
Direct access: “the walk down the resort onto the beach”

Natural Beauty and Sensory Experiences:

Chapora River: “had a look at the Chapora River backwaters full of natural beauty”
Resort Flora: “the pink franganese guarding both sides of the passage towards the sea made for a very pleasant atmosphere.”
Sunsets: “the lovely coconets and sunrises were both gorgeous the soft golden glow of the setting sun made the entire resort look almost fairy taleike.”
Beach: “a pristine clean beach” with “beautiful blue sky the gorgeous sea and the nature.”

“There was not a moment when we felt there was nothing to do because the sea and the sand is enough for kids and adults.”

Goa Vibes 2025” isn’t just a lifestyle vlog—it’s an invitation. An invitation to a place where every wave brings laughter, every sunset ignites wonder, and every corner pulses with cultural warmth.

So pack your sunnies, your senses, and your spirit for fun—Goa’s waiting to make memories with you. ✨

🌴 Goa 2025 Travel Itinerary

✈️ Nearest Airport

Dabolim Airport (GOI) – 29 km to Baga Beach (North Goa)
Manohar International Airport (GOX) – 32 km to Anjuna (North Goa)We flew back though this airport

🏨 Recommended Resorts

Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa – Candolim Beach (Luxury beachfront)
W Goa – Vagator Beach (Upscale with nightlife vibes)
Novotel Goa – right on the beach)
La Cabana

🗺️ Day-Wise Sightseeing Plan

Day 1: Arrival & Beach Walk , Sunset at Fort Aguada
Day 2: Cabo de Rama Fort
Day 3: Spice Plantation Tour + Cruise on Mandovi River or ruise on the Sal
Day 4: Explore South Goa – Palolem, Butterfly Beach.Dolphin spotting in the Arabian Sea
Day 5: Visit Dudh Sagar Falls or Shopping at Anjuna Flea Market & Relaxation

🍴 Food & Culture Stops

Try Goan Fish Curry, Bebinca & Vindaloo
Live music at Fisherman’s Wharf or Souza Lobo
Evening beach shacks with fire shows

📱 Travel Tips

Use prepaid taxis or rent scooters (Helmet mandatory)
ATMs available, but carry cash for local markets
November to March is ideal for weather & events

My top places to eat in Goa

Fishermans wharf at Calangute beach

Big Fish Beach Resort

Cape Goa at Cabo De Rama

Best Free Watercolor Courses & YouTube Playlists Online (2025 Guide)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on July 15, 2025

Big Food and Big Pharma :The Unholy Nexus

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on July 7, 2025

Big food and big pharma are best friends. NCDs(noncommunicable diseases) are now the leading cause of death in India for some time over riding diarrhea diseases and tuberculosis.According to the World Economic forum India will be spending 3.55 trillion dollars between 2014 to 2030 if intervention against the NCD promoters are not strictly taken care .

The combination of ultra-processed foods and drinks, seed oils, unhealthy diets, substance abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle is creating a global health emergency.

They started pushing seed oils as a "healthy" alternative to traditional fats like:

• Butter
• Lard
• Tallow
• Coconut oil

Health organizations eventually jumped on the bandwagon & the rest is history.

Toxic machine grease became a "health food" overnight.

And here's the… pic.twitter.com/SUhNyrI0UR
— Michael Morelli (@morellifit) October 23, 2024

This tweet

Most of the biggest research are funded by either big food or Big pharma.Infact if the tweets basic premise is checked ,before 1970,America had far less lifestyle disease and so did India.

Butter, ghee, and coconut oil were staples in India, and our grandparents never whined about diabetes! Olive oil containing MUFA was used forever in Italy and they have lower CVA risks.

I wrote about processed food and the soya oil problem long time back.But just like everything else the internet has a lot of noise, making it difficult for doctors like me to even reach the ears which would be helped.

I am not selling a supplement or food product. I hope what I say encourages you to research the topic. The Omega six fatty acid is in excess in these seed oils.They are pro inflammatory and may give rise to various health issues even connective tissue disorder.If you don’t skip using them in your daily food, you are at risk. Packaged food and restaurant food all contain some or all of this and you have no way of knowing.The seed oils cause oxidative damage,plaque formation with increased cardiovascular risks.

🥗

Eat a Variety of Foods

Include cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and animal foods daily.

🍛

Balanced Macronutrients

50–60% carbs, adequate protein & healthy fats (20–30%).

🍎

Fruits & Vegetables

Consume at least 5 servings daily for vitamins and fiber.

🍭

Limit Sugar & Processed Foods

Cut down on sweets, soft drinks, and refined carbs.

🧂

Control Salt Intake

Keep intake below 5g/day to reduce hypertension risk.

🏃

Be Physically Active

Aim for at least 30–60 minutes of moderate activity daily.

🧼

Safe & Hygienic Food

Prevent infections by washing and cooking food properly.

👶

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Recommended for first 6 months, followed by complementary feeding.

🚭

Avoid Tobacco & Alcohol

Strongly discouraged to prevent chronic diseases.

🧪

Use Fortified Foods

Use fortified staples to prevent micronutrient deficiencies.

📘 Source: ICMR-NIN 2017 Nutrition Guidelines

The chemicals used in process are a horror story leaving behind Trans fats, Glyphosate residue,Plasticizers
BPA,Hexane and more.All the vegetable oils below have some or all the risks.

Soybean
Sunflower
Cottonseed
Canola oil
Rice bran Oil
Dalda

If big food didn’t sell all the horrors ,big pharma would be unable to sell the medicines for lifestyle diseases.

You will see there are always newer and better hypoglycemic drugs and antiobesity drugs but no interest in making packaged food better and ~~less harmful~~ healthy.Or maybe that’s too much to ask for. ITC is a big FMCG company it’s also the Indian tobacco corporation and mints money that way too.

Dabur sells Ayurvedic products as well as FMCG including their honey,fruit drinks as well as oral care products. Do you get the link?OTC pharma ,FMCG and Big pharma are in a dance of death contest where they are competing for the highest margin and not necessarily your health.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) and Ultra-processed beverage (UPB) consumption is associated with higher risks of numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs). (Source)

Which FMCG brand has OTC drugs in india?

Dabur

Cipla

Abott

In India NCD s increased from 1995 and peaked in 2018.Kerala followed by Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab.

India: Health of the Nation’s States

The 2017 India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative by ICMR reports:

✅ Proportion of deaths due to NCDs rose from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016.
✅ Major NCDs:
- 🫀 Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
- 🎗️ Cancers
- 🌬️ Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs)
- 🩸 Diabetes
✅ Key behavioral risk factors:
- 🍟 Unhealthy diet
- 🚶 Lack of physical activity
- 🚬 Use of tobacco and alcohol

Source: PIB Press Release
Original chart by Dr. Amrita Basu, healthwealthbridge.com

The study report “India: Health of the Nation’s States” provides insight into the 2017 India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),states that the proportion of deaths due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India has increased. It rose from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016. The four major NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), and diabetes. They share four behavioral risk factors: unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and use of tobacco and alcohol.(Source)

The Marketing gimmicks are extensive. Real fruit is absent from packaged fruit juices, and milk biscuits lack milk. Honey often contains HFCS(Source) . Chawanprash is marketed by Big B and Dhoni. Gutkha and pan Masala are promoted by so-called A-list heroes. Beverages are endorsed by health-conscious beauties. These irresponsible marketing ploys mislead the population. Clever marketing and addictive tastes influence choices, leading to high spending on R&D.

The ratio of fat,salt and sugar are meant to be addictive and all the fast food companies spend money and time perfecting that.

What are the main points of ICMR 17 Nutrition Guidelines for Indians?

ICMR 17 Nutrition Guidelines for Indians

#	Guideline
1	Eat a variety of foods from all food groups, focus on seasonal and regional foods.
2	Balance energy intake and expenditure to maintain healthy weight.
3	Limit intake of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats, avoid trans fats.
4	Consume whole grains and millets instead of refined grains.
5	Eat at least 400g of fruits and vegetables daily.
6	Ensure adequate protein intake from quality sources like pulses, legumes, eggs, meat, fish.
7	Meet micronutrient needs (Iron, Calcium, Vitamin A, B12, Zinc, Folate, etc.)
8	Ensure safe food handling and clean drinking water.
9	Use healthy cooking methods and avoid reuse of cooking oils.
10	Stay physically active at least 30-60 minutes daily.

Avoid protein supplements, instead opt for protein from real food.Straight talk is strangely often skipped

People would rather take alcohol,smoke ,drive without helmets, than prevent theses preventable causes of problems.Its so much easier to blame the,Government system,parents,partners,next door aunty,doctors than looking inside.Take responsibility for your own health. #HealthIsWealth

Big Food & Big Pharma: Key Supporting Research

No.	Title	Synopsis	Link
1	Food–Pharma Convergence in Medical Nutrition	How food and pharma blur lines via medical foods, nutraceuticals, and shared R&D.	Read on PMC
2	Big Food, Food Systems, and Global Health	Big Food fuels chronic disease burden, feeding pharma’s treatment markets.	Read on PLOS Medicine
3	Big Food and WHO Influence Strategies	Food industry lobbies and shapes policy, mirroring Big Pharma tactics.	Read on PubMed
4	Critical Assessment of Food Industry Influence on Health Research	Food industry–funded studies often report favorable results—like Big Pharma’s research influence.	Read on PubMed
5	Manufacturing Illness: The Role of Big Food and Big Pharma	How both industries profit from chronic disease, shaping health narratives and policy.	Read on ResearchGate

Sources: healthwealthbridge.com | X: @misra_amrita | YouTube: @healthwealthbridge

More Reference:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1796435

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/prevalence-of-ncds-tripled-infectious-diseases-doubled-since-1995/article68422602.ece/amp/

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/indias-call-action-noncommunicable-diseases

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/india-otc-drugs-market/companies

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9309965/

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/india-otc-drugs-market/

https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/story/fmcg-firms-eye-healthcare-market-19873-2011-02-09

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/curbing-indias-ultra-processed-foods

https://ncdalliance.org/why-ncds/risk-factors-prevention/unhealthy-diets-and-malnutrition#:~:text=Unhealthy%20diets%20and%20the%20resulting,and%20stroke%2C%20and%20some%20cancers.

https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/upload_documents/DGI_07th_May_2024_fin.pdf

Is Happiness an Inside Job?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on July 6, 2025

This is one of the toughest questions.But it is and that’s why what you allow inside your head and heart is crucial.

Sometimes walking away is the answer .But for other times it’s best to be careful.

Just like what you eat ,builds your physical body;what you see,feel,read,interact with builds your soul ,mind,spirit,heart whatever you believe holds your happiness.

There’s a saying you can’t pour from an empty cup and that where happiness being an inside job makes sense.

Only if you are happy inside will you give off the joyous vibe.

When you smile ,the world will smile back at you.

That saying your physical health,exercise ,what you eat all affect your mood and helps you keep your happy spirits up.

Environment health or the company you keep is another thing that needs to be looked deep into.

You are the sum total of the five people they interact with every day.So environmental health involves both human environment and nature

Man is know by the company he keeps – promote this aspect of our mental health .

Nature therapy

There study to show that spending even one hour a week that’s less than 10 minutes per day in the company of Green tree friends will help you feel better.The influence of nature is so strong,that people in hospitals, if they have a green garden view or even see a garden pic in their hospital room walls tend to get better.

Studies may be many for vary many topics but what’s true is how you feel when you meet people whose company you love.Thats not something you can fake.

Hope you are walking on your happiness.The real kind.

Gardening Quotes I love

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on July 5, 2025

I wasn’t a gardner. My parents weren’t either.But my paternal Grand father must have been one,though I never had an opportunity to ask him.You may wonder why I say this.Its because he planted the tree which still bears fruits some sixty years later.

The tree is as tall as five storied building and was the reason behind many of my childhood daydreams and adventures plus delicious summers eating the firm juicy Jackfruit from the mighty tree.

I think the tree liked me too.I always felt very protective towards it.Its the reason I made plant friends easily and now have been able to increase my family of trees and plants to a number I can’t count.I love picking fruits fresh from trees and eating them.

The best part is, it gave me the first idea of how even a single tall green tree can help nurture a child.I started gardening in October 2014 the very same time I started blogging and writing online.I am not always writing aiming for SEO and money.

Writing is the cheapest ,easiest,most accessible method for my self therapy.To balance my moods indoors, when I can’t visit gardens,parks or go for fun nature walks.I miss nature even more than coffee or tea and the same amount as books.That’s saying a lot since I am a voracious reader .

But I degress .I published the audio book on How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life you want free on Youtube.

One reason was because, I wanted it to be available for free for those who want to find wellness in their daily life through going back to nature,words,walking and the simple stuff.Its not rocket science but in this world of sunless rooms ,it’s important to repeat truths ,lest people forget.

Green Gift

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.-Greek proverb by Unknown author

Quotes by Alfred Austin

We come from the earth,go back to earth in between we garden

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.

To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.

There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.

A garden that one makes oneself becomes associated with one’s personal history and that of one’s friends, interwoven with one’s tastes, preferences and character and constitutes a sort of unwritten autobiography.

Plucking Ripe Mango

Exclusiveness in a garden is a mistake as great as it is in society.

No one can rightly call his garden his own unless he himself made it.

There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.-Janet Kilburn Phillips

Fresh Green Ripe

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. – Audrey Hepburn

My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.
Claude Monet

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.-Claude Monet

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Garden as though you will live forever.-William Kent
Life begins the day you start a garden.
a Chinese proverb

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
Emily Bronte

The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there.
George Bernard Shaw

Being a tree hugger helped me !

The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.
Abraham Lincoln

To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.-Mahatma Gandhi

No single sort of garden suits everyone. Shut your eyes and dream of the garden you’d most love then open your eyes and start planting. Loved gardens flourish, boring ones are hard work.
Jackie French

Where flowers bloom, so does hope.
Lady Bird Johnson

Did you know ,Monet had his own garden Givenchy which was the inspiration behind his paintings?

My garden is the inspiration behind my painting.

Trying Botanical Line Drawing

Art Recap 2024

🌿 Gardening Quotes I Love 🌿

🪴

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

— Audrey Hepburn

☀️

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.”

— Unknown

🌼

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.”

— Gertrude Jekyll

🌳

“Gardening is the purest of human pleasures.”

— Francis Bacon

🌸

“Gardening is how I relax. It’s another form of creating and playing with colors.”

— Oscar de la Renta

🌻

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”

— Claude Monet

👉 Read More Gardening Inspiration!

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Magical Days of Sunshine

Goa Vibes 2025: A Family-Friendly North Goa Getaway