The Benefits of Rose Water

Rosewater is one of my all time favorite beauty products introduced to me by my mom when I was a little girl. I consider it a magic potion for my face. Here are some awesome things rosewater is great for.

• Tightens pores
• Prevents wrinkles
• Natural astringent
• Great setting spray for your make-up
• Help to regulate your skins pH
• Antibacterial properties are great for soothing the skin and getting rid of acne/blackheads
• Rinsing your hair in rosewater promotes growth and heals a dry & itchy scalp
• Dabbing rosewater around the eyes, on your temples, and on your forehead helps alleviate headaches
• Great setting spray for your make-up

Happy Diwali

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the festival of lights and has great significance for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and the Nepalese. Regardless of religion, Diwali is celebrated all over India as a national festival.

There are many legends associated with Diwali but the most common legend is from the great Hindu epic, Ramayana. In this legend, Rama, the prince of Ayodhya was ordered by his father, Kind Dasharatha, to go away from his country and come back after living in the forest for fourteen years. Rama went into the forest with his wife, Sita and brother, Lakshmana. When the demon kind, Ravana, abducted Sita and took her to his island kingdom of Lanka, Rama fought and killed Ravana and rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years. The people of Ayodhya were so happy to see their Prince Rama return, they lit up their houses with diyas (earthen lamps), lit fireworks and decorated their city. 

Another favorite legend is that this is the day the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, rose from the ocean and married Lord Vishnu. Beautiful lamps were placed in rows to celebrate this occasion and to seek the Goddess Lakshmis blessing for the coming year.  

Different ways to celebrate Diwali

Light diyas (clay lights)

Today Diwali is celebrated across the world as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over evil within every human beng. Clay lamps are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.

Rangoli on doorsteps

Rangoli (meaning row of colors) is a kind of floor painting that is used as a sign of welcome. The main purpose of making rangoli during Diwali is to welcome the Goddess Laxshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, to our homes to cast away evil. 

Go vegetarian

For most Indians, Diwali is a meatless holiday and sweets play a big role during Diwali. Go out and buy dessert to serve on this day and either get yummy Indian vegetarian takeout or find a recipe and make some fun Indian dishes at home. 

Play games​

Playing games and gambling are a big part of Diwali. You can make this more family friendly and play card games such as Rummy or Go Fish or other games such as Charades, Hide & Seek or a Scavenger Hunt.  

Homemade Face Masks For Normal Skin

Growing up, my mom always told me that intensive skin care doesn't always require extensive and expensive spa treatments and that skin can be pampered and nourished in the home using all-natural ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen and pantry. Below are some of our favorites.

Fruit Mask

Fruits are loaded with the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are essential for natural glowing skin making it a perfect remedy for almost all skin types. 

• Mix equal amounts of ripe papaya, mango and yogurt 
• Apply the mask to your face for 30 minutes and wash off with water

The enzymes in papaya help in removing dark spots and blemishes and helps in improving complexion, whereas the vitamin C in mangoes helps in promoting cell regeneration and removing skin dullness. Yogurt is a natural moisturizer and gentle bleach that enhances skin tone and lightens skin tanning.

Sandalwood, Yogurt & Rose Water Mask

Sandalwood is natural home remedy for skin problems that has been used for centuries in Ayurveda for treating various skin issues. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the top layers of the epidermis, which can clear up blemishes and discoloration and reduce fine wrinkles. Rose water is filled with anti-oxidants and various vitamins, preventing signs of aging and nourishing the skin. 

• Take 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder and mix it with rose water and yogurt forming a thick consistency

• Mix well and apply on clean face, wait for 15 to 20 minutes and wash off with water

Happy Birthday Lord Krishna

Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna. On this day, it is believed that Lord Vishnu reincarnated in the form of Lord Krishna at midnight on the eight day of the Hindu lunar month, Shravana (usually in August).

The main significance of Janmashtami is to encourage goodwill and to discourage bad will. Krishna Jayanti also celebrates togetherness. The holy occasion brings people together, thus it signifies unity and faith.

How to celebrate Janmashtami

• Teach Hindu mantras to your children to make them aware of Hindu traditions and values. Find mantras to recite
• Go in the nearest temple with your family, perform puja and eat Prasad.
• Read your children a story of Krishna's birth. Some of our favorites here

DIY Rakhi Ideas

What better way to kick off rakhi than have the kids make their own. Here are some easy ideas on how to make your own rakhi.

Supplies:

• Embroidery thread
• Ribbon
• Beads
• Puffy stickers
• Buttons
• Glue gun

How to:

• Keep it super simple and fun for the kids and family
• Cut string and/or ribbon into the small strips and lay them out. We use different colors so everyone can pick the colors they want
• Put out a tray of buttons, puffy stickers, beads, and anything else fun you can make bracelets with (small lego pieces, cutouts, etc.)
• Assign an adult to be in charge of the glue gun
• Have some samples for show so people know what to do

WHAT WE DID WITH OUR KIDS:

• Buy the Melissa & Doug bead set and put it out for the kids to make rakhis
• Instead of indian sweets, we put jelly bellies in a bowl (or put your sons favorite candy)
• We bought simple gifts or envelope of money for brothers to give to sisters 
• Arranged gifts/envelopes, candy/sweets and rakhi on a thali or plate with a diya/candle, and Ganesh
• Served Indian take out food (yums)!

 

Some OTHER ideas:

The Thread of Love: Happy Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) celebrates the love between brothers and sisters. The main custom of Rakhi is a sister tying a threaded bracelet the giving of a bracelet of woven threads called a rakhi on her brother. The "rakhi" represents the sister's promise to pray for her brother and the brother's vow to protect his sister. The sister provides sweets to her brother and the brother gives his sister money.

How can you celebrate Rakhi in a very easy, simple, meaningful way?

• Invite family over. We love an excuse to wear Indian clothes...so we always make it Indian themed.
• Buy the rakhi or make sure someone is bringing the rakhi. You can buy it below or at your local Indian store. We love making our own rake...it is a fun project and tradition for the kids (instructions below)
• Get Indian take out. Some of our favorite places for takeout are Pakhwan, Shalimar and Naan 'n Curry.
• Get small gifts or money envelopes if you are a brother or if you have sons.
• Get burfees, sweets or even candy to feed your brother.
• Keep it simple and fun!

What is the history of Raksha Bandhan?

There are many stories and tales about the Rakhi in Hindu and Indian history. It became popular in the 1500s after a widowed queen name Rani Karnavati sent a Rakhi to the Mughal Emperor asking for help in defending her city. After this event, sisters would offer a Rakhi to their brothers as a reminder that they should protect their sisters from foreign invaders. 

Fun Facts:

• The word Raksha means protection. The brother promises to protect his sister.
• The word Bandhan means "to tie" or "bond". The sister ties the rakhi around her brother's wrist.
• It is thought that the protection offered by the rakhi lasts for one year. So the festival and ceremony must be repeated each year.

The Importance of Celebrating a Holiday

Celebrating holidays are some of the core aspects of any culture. Whether it is a religious holiday, a wedding, or a festival our celebrations are woven tightly into our overall cultural identity. Being a first generation Indian, I grew up celebrating  these traditions. Now, as a mom raising 2nd generation kids, I hope to celebrate some of these same traditions and holidays I fondly remember along with the new holidays we celebrate from our American culture. 

We hope you find this section helpful so when a traditional holiday approaches, you can start planning, involve the kids and create your own memories like the ones you remember from your childhood.