Making money should not make you feel guilty Photo via Shutterstock For my one-on-one Ayurvedic coaching sessions, I offer potential clients a free 20-minute discovery call. They share their problems and health goals, and I explain how I work. And then we figure out if we have common synergies that will make us a good fit.  An old friend reached out the other day, and they wanted me to work with their child. I appreciate them addressing the elephant in the room, even if awkwardly: “This won’t be a favor. I want to pay for the session.”  I responded right away, “Thank you for saying t ..read more

This Southeast Asian dish is a foodie’s delight Photo via Shutterstock A popular dish in Indonesia and neighboring countries, satay is a blend of grilled, skewered, and marinated meat. It is usually accompanied with a saucy dip. Recipe for Chicken Satay Ingredients for the Chicken Coconut milk- 1/3 c. Lemongrass- 1 stalk Ground turmeric- 1 tbsp Boneless and skinless chicken thighs- 1.5 lb Brown sugar- 2 tbsp Lime juice- 2 tbsp Fish sauce- 2 tbsp Shallot- 1 Garlic cloves – 2 Chili paste- 1.5 tbsp Fresh ginger- 1 tbsp Ingredients for the Peanut Sauce Reserved marinade- 1/4 c. Smooth peanut butte ..read more

Everyone can use simple tricks to improve their health Photo via Shutterstock Biohacking’s origins can be traced back to the 1980s when “DIY biologists” self-experimented to modify their genes and optimize health. The word is still very buzzy today and can involve anything from meditation, intermittent fasting, or following a low-carb diet. Or it could involve technology implants for oxygen and blood monitoring (wearables work just fine, too), routine stem cell and hormone injections, cold plunges, and more. Here’s a look at some of the scientific thinking behind biohacking. You may very well ..read more

From bamboo to cotton, these materials will help create a cleaner future Photo via Shutterstock Plastic pollution has become a global environmental challenge. Each year, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans, poisoning marine life and entering the food chain. Microplastics can also infiltrate the most remote corners of the globe.  As we commemorate Earth Day on April 22, let’s renew our dedication to safeguarding our planet from plastic pollution. By understanding its impact, adopting the alternatives outlined here, and minimizing our use of single-use plastic ..read more

Our favorite films celebrating human grit Photo credit: Vitrolphoto/ Shutterstock When you want to be educated, entertained, and inspired, biopics are an excellent movie genre to explore. These films can either be fictionalized or made in documentary style, and offer a window into the life of someone either famous or beautifully and wonderfully ordinary. Along the way, the filmmakers provide insight into how these people achieved their significant accomplishments and where we might learn from their experience. Here are some of our favorite biopics you can enjoy. Whether you prefer a documentar ..read more

For episode #137 of Sundays with SEEMA, our founder Seema Kumar  sits down with Kanwal Batool, a luminary in the beauty industry renowned for her unparalleled skills in hair and makeup. Whether it’s brides, celebrities, socialites, or anyone seeking to radiate confidence and glamour, Kanwal stands as the go-to artist to unveil their best selves. With her immersive experience, Kanwal has left an indelible mark on the beauty landscape. Sundays with SEEMA is a television and broadcast series featuring remarkable stories of South Asian women who are pushing today’s limits and breaking tomorr ..read more

The best of fresh greens and fruits to brighten up your plate Photo via Shutterstock Salads are a regular feature in my home, especially for lunch. For one, the variety that one can make is mind-boggling. You can never get bored! For another, they are super easy to put together. That makes lunchtime prep a breeze. And as a gardener, the joys of picking greens from the backyard and churning up something delicious is priceless. In this harvest salad, I’ve used seasonal produce. You can shake things up by changing the fruit and greens combination. Ingredients For Salad 4 cups baby spinach or mixe ..read more

Avani Modi Sarkar of Modi Toys makes toys incorporating South Asian cultural elements Photo courtesy: Avani Modi Sarkar Avani Modi Sarkar is the co-founder of Modi Toys and also a devoted mother and author. Her steadfast commitment to inclusive toy design, specifically tailored for South Asians and embodying Hindu culture, has garnered her notable award nominations, including the Inc. Female Founders 1000 and Forbes Next 1000. A Tory Burch Fellow and recipient of the NJ Family Mompreneur of the Year award, she also advocates diversity in business while crafting engaging play experiences f ..read more

This weight-based practice has a host of fitness benefits Photo via Shutterstock Rucking has been a part of Daniella Dayoub Forrest’s life for the past 20 years. The California-based health coach and author of “Own Your Wellness: Giving You the Tools to Break Through Your Health Plateaus” turned to the practice after a fracture from an accident in her 20s accelerated the loss of bone mass in later years. She’s now 47. Doing lots of cardio didn’t help. In fact, she found that activities like biking didn’t provide resistance for the upper body, which contributed to poor bone density test results ..read more

Turn your abode into a floral wonderland Photo via Shutterstock Spring is when new leaves sprout, buds begin to bloom, and there is color and cheer all around.  This season is also the perfect time to usher the cheerful vibes into your interiors.  Bring on a softer (think pastel) color palette, create sunny tablescapes, and switch to lighter textures.  And spring décor is incomplete without a generous touch of florals. From furnishings and wallpaper with floral prints to fresh blooms and faux flowers, there are plenty of ways to infuse flower power into your home this spring.&nb ..read more