Tag: Health

Allycaral Kitchen

Celebrate Navratri 2025 with These 5 Delicious & Wholesome Fasting Foods

Tanisha Cardozo

Fasting during Navratri is more than a tradition—it’s a way to detox your body, renew your energy, and celebrate with purpose. But to stay truly active and healthy during the nine auspicious days, it’s important to eat right. Here are five fasting-friendly foods that not only taste great but also provide essential nutrition to keep you going strong.

🥗 1. Beetroot Salad: A Colorful Energy Booster

Beetroot salad is a refreshing, low-calorie fasting meal rich in antioxidants, fiber, and minerals. Add grated cucumber, carrot, or radish for extra crunch. A dash of lemon juice enhances flavor and provides a vitamin C boost. Sprinkle some roasted pumpkin seeds or sprouts to elevate the protein and healthy fat content.

✅ High in fiber
✅ Packed with antioxidants
✅ Supports digestion

🌾 2. Buckwheat Paratha: Hearty and Wholesome

Buckwheat (kuttu) flour is a powerhouse grain that’s allowed during fasting. Use it to make soft, delicious parathas, best served with curd or a simple potato curry. Cooking it in desi ghee adds flavor and boosts nutrition.

✅ Gluten-free grain
✅ Keeps you full longer
✅ Rich in protein and fiber

🥔 3. Curd Potatoes: Classic Comfort

This simple dish combines boiled potatoes with cooling yogurt. The starch from the potatoes provides energy, while yogurt adds protein and beneficial probiotics. Season with fasting rock salt and herbs like coriander for a delightful taste.

✅ Excellent source of energy
✅ Aids digestion
✅ Cooling and satisfying

🍚 4. Sabudana Poha: Light Yet Filling

Sabudana (sago) is a staple during fasting. Sabudana Poha is made with soaked sago pearls, peanuts, ghee, and mild spices. It’s light on the stomach yet high in carbohydrates, making it a perfect breakfast or snack during fasts.

✅ Easily digestible
✅ High in carbs and good fats
✅ Ideal for an energy boost

🥜 5. Sabudana Tikki: Crispy, Nutritious Snacks

Sabudana Tikkis are made from sago, boiled potatoes, and crushed peanuts. These can be shallow-fried or baked, offering a crispy exterior and soft inside. They’re a flavorful and protein-rich fasting snack.

✅ Great for evening hunger pangs
✅ Crunchy and delicious
✅ Rich in protein and carbs

Navratri fasting is not just a religious practice; it’s a mindful way to cleanse and nourish your body. Including foods like curd potatoes, buckwheat paratha, sabudana snacks, and beetroot salad ensures you stay healthy, energetic, and festive throughout the nine days. Balance your meals, hydrate well, and enjoy the spirit of Navratri with wellness and vitality.

Finance

Bank of Baroda Wins First Prize in Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar for Excellence in Official Language Use

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s foremost public sector banks, has been honoured with the First Prize under the Government of India’s prestigious Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar scheme for the year 2024–2025. This award recognises the bank’s exceptional contribution to the promotion and effective use of Hindi as the official language across its services and operations.

The award ceremony took place on 14 September 2025, during the Hindi Day celebration and the Fifth All India Official Language Conference held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar. The honour was conferred by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.

Accepting the award on behalf of the bank was Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Baroda. He was accompanied by Executive Director Ms. Beena Vaheed and Mr. Sanjay Singh, Head of Official Language and Parliamentary Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chand expressed the bank’s commitment to inclusivity through language. “This award reflects the bank’s sensitivity towards its millions of customers who interact in Hindi and other Indian languages and feel more comfortable availing banking services in their native languages,” he said.

Bank of Baroda has significantly expanded its multilingual capabilities across its digital platforms, including its flagship mobile banking app BoB World and WhatsApp Banking services. The bank also ensures that transaction-related SMS, chatbot conversations, and customer support are accessible in Indian languages, fostering a more inclusive and user-friendly banking environment.

The Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar is one of the highest honours awarded by the Government of India to institutions for outstanding performance in implementing the official language policy. This recognition positions Bank of Baroda not only as a leader in banking services but also as a pioneer in promoting linguistic inclusion in the financial sector.

With this award, Bank of Baroda reinforces its commitment to enhancing customer experience by speaking the language of its people – both literally and technologically.

Music

Jessie J Announces New Album Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time Amid Breast Cancer Recovery

Tanisha Cardozo

Jessie J has officially announced her sixth studio album, Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time, set to release on Friday, November 28. The reveal was made via Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with the singer, 37, sharing her excitement and teasing a few tracks from the album including “No Secret,” “Believe in Magic,” “And the Award Goes To,” and “Living My Best Life.”

Fans can pre-order the album now on vinyl and CD, with limited signed editions and exclusive merchandise available. “There’s some signed stuff and there’s lots of things happening,” she said in her post, building anticipation for what is clearly a deeply personal project.

This new chapter in Jessie’s music career comes after a difficult period in her personal life. In June, she publicly shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer prior to the release of her single “No Secret.” After months of testing, emotional highs and lows, and surgery, she shared updates with fans as she navigated her recovery.

“I’m still in the thick of recovery and my body is still finding its way,” she wrote in a candid post on Instagram in August, adding, “But I LOVE music and I LOVE my life and I want to LIVE in the moment.”

Jessie had to cancel her American Acoustic Tour dates entirely and postpone her planned U.K. and European tour from October 2025 to April 2026, as she prepares for a second surgery before the end of the year. “This falls in the middle of the tour I had booked,” she explained. “I’m so sorry, I feel frustrated and sad, but I need to be better, I need to be healed.”

Despite all this, Jessie made a heartfelt return to the stage on Sept. 6 at BBC Radio 2 In the Park. The performance was not only a symbolic comeback for her but also a personal milestone — it was the first time her 2-year-old son Sky Safir saw her perform live. Jessie shares Sky with her partner, basketball player Chanan Safir Colman.

“The last show I did, I had no idea what was gonna happen, and I’m still very much in the recovery process,” Jessie told the crowd. “But I’m definitely not ready for Babins… I mean, I am, but my doctors are like ‘calm down, girl’.”

She ended her speech by expressing deep gratitude to her fans, saying, “You have no idea how grateful I am to see so many of you singing along after all these years. It truly feels like I’m a little kid. Still doing what I love.”

Don’t Tease Me with a Good Time is more than just another album — it marks Jessie’s resilience, passion, and commitment to her music and her life, even in the face of enormous challenges.

Fans can expect both vulnerability and power in this next body of work.

Pre-orders are available now.

Aight Sky

Yoga for Beginners: What You Need to Know Before Your First Class

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Anupama Verma

It’s great that you’re considering yoga. Before your first class, having a few essentials in mind can help you feel confident and get the most out of the experience. Yoga is much more than stretching—it’s a holistic discipline that connects mind, body, and spirit through postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and sometimes meditation.

Choosing the right class is key. Most studios offer beginner-friendly options labeled as “Beginner” or “Gentle” yoga. Among the common styles, Hatha and Vinyasa stand out. Hatha yoga involves slower, more static holds that allow you to get familiar with the poses. Vinyasa, on the other hand, is more dynamic, linking movement with breath in a flowing sequence. If you prefer a slower, more mindful pace, Hatha might be your best starting point.

When it comes to clothing, opt for something breathable, stretchy, and comfortable. Think workout clothes that allow for a full range of motion without being too loose. Many studios provide yoga mats, but having your own ensures better hygiene and comfort. A water bottle is a must, and you might find a small towel handy, especially if you’re sweating during the session.

Plan to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. This gives you time to settle in, find your space, and speak with the instructor if you have any injuries or concerns. It’s also a good idea to avoid eating a heavy meal two to three hours before class, so your body can move freely.

During class, the most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. Yoga is a personal journey—not a competition. If a pose feels uncomfortable or painful, ease out or ask for a modification. Your instructor is there to help. Always focus on your breath—it’s the anchor that keeps you grounded and present.

After class, take time to hydrate and check in with how your body feels. It’s normal to experience some soreness, especially if you’re engaging muscles in new ways. Many people report a calm, centered feeling after yoga—this is part of its beauty. Stick with it, stay consistent, and over time you’ll start to experience not just the physical benefits, but the mental clarity and emotional grounding that yoga can offer.

TechPulse

Croma Announces Exciting Offers on iPhone 17 Across Stores, TRiBE, Croma.com, and Tata Neu

Tanisha Cardozo

Croma, India’s leading omni-channel electronics retailer under the Tata Group, has announced an exciting line-up of offers on the new iPhone 17 range, available across its extensive network of over 560 stores, TRiBE by Croma outlets, online at Croma.com, and on the Tata Neu app. The special launch campaign runs from 19 to 27 September with extended offers through 26 October and select benefits continuing thereafter, delivering exceptional value to customers nationwide.

Customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 can explore the entire Apple portfolio at Croma’s dedicated Apple-authorised reseller, TRiBE by Croma, which offers a premium shopping experience with trained specialists to assist with product selection and setup. The campaign features an exchange bonus of up to ₹12,000, allowing customers to trade in their existing devices for greater savings. Additionally, purchases made with the Tata Neu HDFC Card can earn up to 10% NeuCoins, further enhancing the rewards.

No-cost EMI options are available on eligible iPhone 17 models across all channels, making it easier for customers to own the latest Apple technology without upfront financial strain. As a special highlight during the launch sale window, customers can also avail up to 20% discount on select Apple accessories, perfect for complementing their new iPhone with cases, chargers, and audio devices.

A spokesperson from Infiniti Retail Ltd., which operates Croma, emphasized that the brand strives to provide customers with a dependable and valuable iPhone buying experience every year. With transparent finance options, expert guidance, and assured accessories, Croma simplifies the upgrade journey across all its channels, allowing customers to choose the iPhone that suits them best while unlocking meaningful savings and rewards.

This campaign underscores Croma’s commitment to delivering a seamless and omnichannel shopping experience, integrating its physical stores, e-commerce platform, and the Tata Neu ecosystem to serve customers across over 206 cities. As one of India’s foremost consumer electronics retailers, Croma continues to expand its footprint, especially in suburban and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, offering world-class ambience and services both online and offline.

Customers are encouraged to visit Croma stores, TRiBE outlets, Croma.com, or the Tata Neu app for the latest details, terms, and conditions. Offers are time-bound and subject to eligibility, product availability, and device valuation. NeuCoin issuance and redemption follow Tata Neu’s program rules, and finance offers including no-cost EMI depend on bank terms and conditions.