#FridayFotoFiction100 Word FictionFiction & Writing

Calm Waters – Flash Fiction Writing Prompt #FridayFotoFiction March 16-19

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

#FridayFotoFiction is a weekly flash fiction writing prompt challenge where we give you a photo prompt and ask you to write a 100-150 word flash fiction about it.

Flash Fiction Writing Prompt – #FridayFotoFiction March 16 –March 19 Prompt

Calm Waters – Flash Fiction Writing Prompt #FridayFotoFiction

He stood still. Calm waters around.

‘Calm waters – even these words sound different to me.’ He thought.

There was a time when kids played in the water. There was a time when people were friends.

Why did it all change?

Where are the lush green spaces, where are the happy faces? All I see is wounded friends, broken limbs, dead bodies floating.

I am the last survivor, such is my luck.

No one left to steer me, no one left to ride me.

Only the calm waters, thought the last surviving boat on the conflicted river at border between two newly formed nations.

© Tina Basu

Word count – 103

Disclaimer: Please add this line at the end of your post. Without it the linky won’t accept the submission.

I am taking part in the #FridayFotoFiction – Weekly Flash Fiction Writing Challenge hosted byTina and Mayuri

#FridayFotoFiction Featured Blogger March 9 – March 12

Our first featured blogger with an interesting story is Neha from Neha Tambe. Read her featured story A life of possibilities

Congratulations Girl.

#FridayFotoFiction Monthly Winner – February

Our monthly winner winning cash prize is Arjun from Knight and Steel with some amazing posts throughout the month. Congratulations Man.

Please fill this Form for all updated details on #FridayFotoFiction

Friday Foto Fiction Weekly Update

 

#FridayFotoFiction Flash Voting FAQ

  1. Drop your posts in the linky Friday 12 AM IST- Monday midnight 23:55 pm IST
  2. Voting opens Tuesday 12AM IST untill Thursday 8:00 PM IST
  3. Come back on this page on from Tuesday to Thursday and cast your vote on your favorite post.
  4. Only 1 vote per user.
  5. The post with max votes gets the Featured Story by Popular Demand title

How to participate in #FridayFotoFiction Flash Fiction Writing Challenge

  1. Follow  &  , your hosts for , on Twitter.
  2. Every Thursday evening Tina and Mayuri will share a Photo Prompt with you on Twitter and on their respective blogs.
  3. Write a 100-150 Word story based on or relevant to the given Photo Prompt.
  4. Use the  badge at the end of your posts.
  5. Link up with Tina or Mayuri
  6. Read, comment, share on the host and co-hosts posts and at least two more posts linked in the party.
    Pro Tip – Networking and commenting are good for your blog’s health and ranks.
  7. Use  in your post and share in on social media using the same hashtag.
  8. Every week Tina and Mayuri will pick one featured blogger whose post impressed them the most.
  9. Every month one winner will be picked from the participants. This winner will be picked on the basis of regular participation through the month and will win a cash voucher from Amazon.
  10. Keep your fictions and engagement civil. Adult content/ affiliated links/ derogatory remarks/ hatred towards any religion is not allowed.

Drop Your Links

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infused water - fruit infused detox water
Health & WellnessLifestyle

Infused Water – Spa Fruit Infused Detox Water for weight loss

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

One of the best ways to cleanse your body internally is Infused Water. These Fruit Infused Detox Water is perfect for weight loss and keeps you hydrated throughout the day.

Water is good for your body! You have heard this phrase again and again from your mom, gym trainer, health magazines, celebrities – almost everyone on earth! You know water is great, but you hate the plain bland water? Are you the one who hates drinking water because it doesn’t taste like anything – simply put are you feeling bored with drinking water? Then Infused Water is your answer. Drinking water naturally boosts your metabolism and these Fruit Infused Detox Water make the process delicious and nutrient-rich.

infused water - fruit infused detox water

What is Infused Water?

Infused water goes by various names – detox water, flavored water, Fruit Infused Detox Water. Adding fresh fruits and herbs adds minerals and vitamins to water and increases the nutritional benefits. It also makes it taste refreshing, slightly sweet, and delicious!

While infused water has the benefit of being full of flavor, it also has no calories, is inexpensive and tastes great!

You can make a fresh batch every day and take it along with you in a bottle and sip throughout the day. This will keep your hydrated.
vaya drynk sipper

I always keep my VAYA DRYNK Gulp & Sipper Flask handy -I keep it on my work desk or carry it along if I am going out. It always reminds me to drink water. The best part is you can use this bottle as a sipper as well as a gulper. It comes with these little inbuilt glasses. I can offer my son water in these glasses as well. So no carrying too many bottles! How cool!

Always choose good steel water bottle, and refrain from single-time use plastic bottles, I hardly use any plastic bottle or container in my home!

What are the benefits of Fruit Infused Detox Water?

Besides tasting great and having zero calories, Fruit Infused Detox Water has many additional health benefits, including:

  • Flushes toxins from your system
  • Fills you up so you don’t eat as much junk
  • Naturally helps your body release fat cells for water weight loss
  • Improves mood
  • Reduces muscle fatigue while working out
  • Fights dehydration

Can Infused Water help in weight loss?

Studies have shown that drinking fluids may help improve weight loss. Drinking water increases the amount of calories you burn by as much as 24-30% within 10 minutes of drinking water. Fruit Infused Detox Water makes the process easy – you don’t feel drinking water is boring!

Instead of sugar-laden packaged fruit juice, colas or other flavored waters – fresh infused water is a much better choice for your water intake.

infused water - fruit infused detox water

Read: 5 Reasons You are Breaking Out
Micronutrient Deficiency among Indian Kids 

Which Fresh Fruits and Herbs can go in your Spa Fruit Infused Detox Water?

Making Infused Water is very easy – you need cold water and some slices of fruits, or vegetables or herbs which you can infuse for a certain time. Here are some common fruits and vegetables that make great Fruit Infused Detox Water.

infused water - fruit infused detox water

 

  1. Lemons– Lemon is a natural detoxifier and aids with bloating and fluid retention
  2. Cucumber– Cucumber helps to cool the inflammatory response in body and Hydrates body. It has negative calorie and is full of water.
  3. Mint– Mint soothes the stomach and reduces inflammation
  4. Watermelon– Watermelon is high in lycopene and antioxidants
  5. Basil– Basil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties
  6. Strawberries– They are high in antioxidants and boost immunity
  7. Pineapple– Pineapple has digestive enzymes that aid in digestion
  8. Peaches– Peaches are high in vitamin C and is beneficial for the skin
  9. Oranges– Oranges are high in Vitamin C and helps to alkalize the body
  10. Ginger – Ginger is known to boost metabolism

How to make Spa Fruit Infused Detox Water?

Making infused water is easier than you thought.

  1. Put a few slices of fruits or herbs of your choice in a jar of ice cold water
  2. Let it infuse for 30 minutes in the refrigerator
  3. Enjoy it cold

You can do the same fruit infused detox water in an infuser bottle by adding fruits in the dedicated container and filling up the bottle with water.

infused water - fruit infused detox water

My Favorite Infused Water?

I am a big fan of lemon and keep a bottle full of infused lemon and mint water on my work desk. It also acts as a reminder that I must drink adequate water.

So if you are thinking about weight loss and how to stick to your daily water intake – try infused water. Make a batch of fruit infused detox water today.

Until next time.

Cheers!

 

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What causes acne - reasons why you are breaking out
BeautyBeauty & MakeupHealth & WellnessLifestyle

5 reasons your skin is Breaking Out – What causes acne?

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

Acne is a skin condition that affects almost everyone at some point in life. It’s important to understand what causes acne to tackle it better. Here are 6 reasons for which your skin might be breaking out.

Acne not only disturbs your skins or leaves scars – they lead to insecurities and lower self-esteem issues among many. While people go on an overdrive with various topical applications to reduce or curb the acne formation many don’t even understand where the problem lies. While it’s good to take preventive measures it’s also important to know what causes acne.

Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers

What is Acne?

Acne is not just a pimple on your skin, it’s a long-term disease. When the hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin it gives rise to blackheads or whiteheads, pimples. Your face can look excessively oily and acne can leave annoying scars.

During puberty, in both sexes, acne is brought upon by an increase in hormones such as testosterone. Acne affects millions of people across the globe.

Let’s Understand What Causes Acne

Acne can be hormonal during puberty but even after puberty people can get acne for various reasons making skin conditions even worse. Here are top 5 reasons for what causes acne.

What causes acne - reasons why you are breaking out

1. Over Scrubbing Skin

Many try to scrub away the acne using abrasive scrubs and rough exfoliants. Scrubbing around-the-clock with hard washcloths, cleaning brushes, or exfoliators will not scrub away the acne and leave your skin flawless. This over-scrubbing can actually have the opposite effect on the skin. The bacteria from the acne is spread all across the face in this process making the skin condition worse. A facial cleanser made specifically for your skin type with gentle exfoliation works just well.

2. Picking Pimples

Remember what your mom said about picking pimples? She was right and had legit reasons for asking you to not do such a heinous crime on your skin. As tempting as it may be, when you are trying to squeeze the puss out of the pore, chances are you are making it go deeper into your skin! Your fingers and nails have bacteria on them. You are only adding some more bacteria to the affected skin. The bacteria spreads underneath the skin layer causing more pimples! So listen to your mum, don’t touch those pimples.

what causes acne - picking pimple

3. Love Spicy Food? Rethink maybe?

Foods like pepper, tomatoes which have acidic lycopene cause irritation and imbalance of the pH levels o the skin. This may lead to breakouts. Spicy food, oily food, bread, dairy all can lead to acne. Some are allergic to certain foods and knowing your food allergies would be better in understanding what causes acne. Fresh fruits and vegetables, less sugar and lots of fluid (read water) help in flushing out toxins and are beneficial for a clear skin.

4. Quit Smoking for your skin’s sake!

Smoking is bad for you! No smoker wants to accept that initially! Every time you smoke a cigarette, you are lowering the amount of oxygen that your body needs. It creates a havoc on the collagen and elastin present in your skin. Collagen and elastin have the ability to prevent large pores and wrinkles, therefore, the carcinogens in a cigarette eliminate these two vital skin properties. The more you smoke, the more breakouts will occur. If nothing else has motivated you to quit smoking – knowing this fact might push you to quit. Won’t you do that for your skin’s sake?

5. Read the Labels

Today we are an overactive consumer. We like trying out different products for skin care, makeup etc. It’s always wise to read the label before picking up a product and applying it on your skin. Steer clear of products that use ‘mineral oils’ – they are heavily moisturizing agents but they also lead to clogged pores and result in breakouts. Also, avoid ‘silicon-based’ products and look for the moisturizers with skin hydrating element. If you have an acne prone skin try looking for products that say “non- comedogenic” in their labels.

what causes acne - read the label

It’s important that you understand what causes acne before losing your mind and applying tons of creams and lotions that promise to wipe out acne overnight! Reduce stress in life to reduce the harmful hormones.

Live well. Stay Happy.

Until Next time.

Cheers.

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fiction writing prompt tree
#FridayFotoFiction100 Word FictionFiction & Writing

The Tree – Flash Fiction Writing Prompt – #FridayFotoFiction March 9 – March 12

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

#FridayFotoFiction is a weekly flash fiction writing prompt challenge where we give you a photo prompt and ask you to write a 100-150 word flash fiction about it.

Flash Fiction Writing Prompt – #FridayFotoFiction March 9 –March 12 Prompt

fiction writing prompt tree

The Tree – Flash Fiction Writing Prompt #FridayFotoFiction

I still remember the moment I held you for the first time.

You were our bundle of joy for which we named you Aliza, thought a pensive Annabel, while waiting for the doctor.

“We are sorry Mrs. Gray, the chemos are not working any more, we don’t have much chance” announced the doctor.

 

At her bed a skinny Aliza lay with her eyes closed.

“I don’t want to die, mom”, said the sixteen-year-old in the faintest voice.

“Don’t say all this. You will always live with us, my love. I promise”

***

“You are the reason I lived Aliza, after your dad left us. I am too old now, I’m coming to see you… very soon, my love”. Said a frail Annabel sitting under the shades of the tree.

The seed which she had buried several years ago along with her young daughter.

The tree that she had named Aliza.

© Tina Basu

Word count – 150

Disclaimer: Please add this line at the end of your post. Without it the linky won’t accept the submission.

I am taking part in the #FridayFotoFiction – Weekly Flash Fiction Writing Challenge hosted byTina and Mayuri

#FridayFotoFiction Featured Blogger Feb 16 – March 8

We had extended our prompt for two weeks because the hosts got busy. So we decided to pick two featured bloggers.

Our first featured blogger with an interesting story is Anagha from Canvas WIth Rainbow. Read her featured story The Grand Finale.

Congratulations Girl.

Our second featured blogger with an interesting story is Rashi from Live it Young. Read her featured story The Fate.

Congratulations Girl.

We’ll announce the monthly winner for Feb next week.

Please fill this Form for all updated details on #FridayFotoFiction

Friday Foto Fiction Weekly Update

 

#FridayFotoFiction Flash Voting FAQ

  1. Drop your posts in the linky Friday 12 AM IST- Monday midnight 23:55 pm IST
  2. Voting opens Tuesday 12AM IST untill Thursday 8:30 PM IST
  3. Come back on this page on from Tuesday to Thursday and cast your vote on your favorite post.
  4. Only 1 vote per user.
  5. The post with max votes gets the Featured Story by Popular Demand title

How to participate in #FridayFotoFiction Flash Fiction Writing Challenge

  1. Follow  &  , your hosts for , on Twitter.
  2. Every Thursday evening Tina and Mayuri will share a Photo Prompt with you on Twitter and on their respective blogs.
  3. Write a 100-150 Word story based on or relevant to the given Photo Prompt.
  4. Use the  badge at the end of your posts.
  5. Link up with Tina or Mayuri
  6. Read, comment, share on the host and co-hosts posts and at least two more posts linked in the party.
    Pro Tip – Networking and commenting are good for your blog’s health and ranks.
  7. Use  in your post and share in on social media using the same hashtag.
  8. Every week Tina and Mayuri will pick one featured blogger whose post impressed them the most.
  9. Every month one winner will be picked from the participants. This winner will be picked on the basis of regular participation through the month and will win a cash voucher from Amazon.
  10. Keep your fictions and engagement civil. Adult content/ affiliated links/ derogatory remarks/ hatred towards any religion is not allowed.

Drop Your Links

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women who did india proud
Life & StyleLifestyle

Girl Power – Women who did India proud lately – #HappyWomensDay

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

This Women’s Day let’s look at some of the most brilliant women who did India proud in recent times.

India’s rich history has witnessed scores of trailblazing women, making the nation proud. While we have had a Rani Lakshmi Bai in the 1800s and Vijay Lakshmi Pandit in the 1900s India has given birth to the likes of Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Willams, Mary Kom, Bachendri Pal and many more who have made the nation proud. From astronauts and diplomats to inspirational leaders, these brave women have broken the stereotypes and brought change to the nation. On this Women’s Day let’s look at some of the trailblazing women who did India Proud in recent years.

Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers

Women who did India proud – Happy Women’s Day

women who did india proud

Today let’s say Happy Women’s Day in style. These women who did India proud are treasures for the nation – they are gutsy, brave, bold and precious. We salute them for not conforming to societal norms, not following stereotypes. We salute them for NOT taking NO for an answer!

Bhakti Sharma

women who did india proud bhakti sharma

Bhakti Sharma became India’s (and Asia’s) first woman to swim 1.4 miles, in the Antarctic Ocean, at a temperature of 1° C under 52 minutes! With this feat she has conquered all the 5 oceans of the world! Bhakti was awarded the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2010.

Arunima Sinha

women who did india proud arunima sinha

Arunima Sinha is a woman who not just did her country proud, but made entire womanhood proud. Arunima Sinha is the first Indian amputee to climb the Mount Everest. She was a national level volleyball player who was pushed from a running train by some robbers in 2011 while she was resisting them resulting in her losing a leg and becoming an amputee. Becoming an amputee was not the end of her story. She neither wanted the pity in people’s eyes nor did she want to lead a mediocre life. Bigger challenges and bigger heights were awaiting her. She has already done six peaks in different continents: Everest in Asia, Kilimanjaroin Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Kosciuszko in Australia, Aconcagua in Argentina and Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) in Indonesia.

Dr. Neeru Chadha

women who did india proud neeru chadha

Dr. Neeru Chadha became the first Indian woman to be elected as Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Previously, Dr. Chadha has been the first woman Chief Adviser to the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Chanda Kocchar

women who did india proud chanda kochchar

Chanda Kocchar made it to Rank 32 in the Forbes’ The World’s Top 100 Most Powerful Woman list. The ICICI Bank CEO topped the other Indian women listed by Forbes Business Magazine.

Mary Kom

women who did india proud mary kom

The 5-time World Amateur Boxing Champion, Mary Kom did not let conventions of society or motherhood hinder her from achieving global recognition in the field of boxing. She is also one of the only women boxing champion to have gotten a medal for each of the six championships she’s participated in!

Deepika Pallikal

women who did india proud deepika pallikal

Squash player Deepika Pallikal is India’s first player to enter the top 10 WSA rankings! he also won gold at the Commonwealth Games, in 2014, in the squash women’s double event!

Kavita Devi

women who did india proud kavita devi

When her salwar kameez clad video of a wrestling match went viral on the internet people got to know she is the first Indian women professional wrestler to sign up for WWE.

Shubhangi Swaroop

women who did india proud shubhangi swaroop

Seventy years after independence, Shubhangi Swaroop has made history by becoming the first woman to be inducted into the Indian Navy as a pilot. Before joining defence forces, she is a biotechnology engineer from VIT and a national gold medallist in taekwondo. For her even the sky’s not the limit!

Anny Divya

women who did india proud anny divya

Defeating all odds Anny Divya became the youngest female commander of a Boeing 777 aircraft in the world. The 30-year-old from Vijayawada earned a scholarship at 19 after joining the flying school Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi at 17. She first learned to fly a Boeing 737 in Spain after landing her first flying job for commercial airlines Air India.

While we always hail the women in the world of glamour for their achievements and awards, these women who did India proud, deserve even more love and recognition.

This post is written for #BlogRendezvous – A blog soriee hosted by Gleefulblogger and Wigglingpen. This Blog Linky is sponsored by the brand which has given many women reason to smile and financial independence – VLCC 

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varanasi
TravelTravel Destination

Varanasi for the Hippie

by tinabasu
written by tinabasu

As the golden sun turns crimson and sinks into the arms of the Ganges, the river banks come alive with the chants of priests and chimes of temples. Amidst the chorus of tourists, pilgrims, and locals, you will find them. Huddled together in a corner, strumming on a John Lennon piece, a group of hippies finding peace in a few puffs on the bong (chillum). Sharing the same space will be a few ash-clad ascetics (sadhus) pretty much engaged in the same activity, sans the music. This is probably the most classic scene of a regular evening in Varanasi.

varanasi for the hippie
Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers

For the hippie on a hunt

India is not just about the Taj Mahal or the Backwaters. Move away from the exotic beaches, the solitude of Varanasi is spiritual. The flower-power days might be a thing of the past, but the hippies still exist. Only in a different generation and with a fresher perspective. And if you are that free soul, on the lookout for a colorful journey of life, then you have landed yourself in the right place.

Varanasi or erstwhile Benaras has been a dream destination for the ‘free bird’. For the hippies, this holy city has always been a refuge from the chaotic conundrum of the metros. Though the ‘religious capital of India’, this eclectic town is a world beyond the temples, prayers, and priests. Varanasi unravels its hidden layers to those who want to get under its skin.

The more you explore, the more you would be intrigued to discover the city. Book Varanasi cabs to get a taste of everything the city has to offer. Rest assured, this mysterious town of the Ganges has its way of leaving its seeker hungry for more.

varanasi

Exploring Varanasi on a hippie’s feet

If you are on a path to seeking enlightenment, spend some time with the sadhus who spend their days and nights on the ghats (river banks). They might not speak your language but as you observe them and their ways of life, you would learn about life with a whole new perspective.

Let your creative side awaken on the banks of the holy Ganges. They say, there’s something eerily magical about the ghats of Varanasi. For hippies with a creative agenda, like music, art or writing, there’s no better place than on the banks of the Ganges. The bustling pilgrims, strange tourists, un-emoting sadhus and even the tramps, make for artistic inspirations.

Whether it’s the spiritual energy of the place or the hallowed vibes, you are sure to find peace, even amidst the bustling crowds.

Indulge in a ‘trip’ of ‘bhang’– naturally found and locally made hallucinogen, which is mixed with flavored and sweetened milk or lassi. Find them easily at the government-run ‘Bhang shops’ for a guilt-free and ‘liberating’ trip.

Ditch the shady guest houses and lodges, who claim to be ‘ideal for hippies’. Opt for a tourism department run traveler homes or better, a hostel – where you would find travelers with a similar perspective.

If the raucous crowds of the ghats and streets pose heavy on your head, disappear into the lanes and alleys of the town and engulf yourself in a solitary trance. It’s much needed if you are here to seek true nirvana.

varanasi

Irrespective of what you seek in life, food is something one cannot forgo. Especially if you have had ‘an eventful night’. The Aahar Vihar Dhaba and the Chahat Restaurant, on the Allahabad highway, are places where you would find the kind of ambiance you are looking for. Book a car on rent in Varanasi to get around to the best eateries in town. You could also head to the Classic Café, which, actually is a hookah bar. Befriend some like-minded people and engross yourself in deep conversations while the wisps of flavored smoke drape you.

Varanasi is sacred yet spectacular, soulful yet surprising. And if you are a real hippie at heart, you will see the hidden layers of this fascinating city of India, in its true colors.

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