Category: Lifestyle

Gone are the days when before travelling I used to plan out what clothes I’ll be packing or what jewellery and makeup to pack; which books to take along and which songs to put in my travel playlist.

Three kids later, my travelling experience has undergone a complete shift. As someone who travels regularly, within Pakistan and outside, on planes as well as car rides, I have now devised a system which makes my life slightly easier. I say slightly because as mothers, we all know how difficult it is to travel with kids. A great deal of learning has come from experiences which include children getting sick on flights to us looking for hospitals in locations such as Thailand, Skardu and Nathiagali, to missed or delayed flights. Hence, one has to be prepared for anything possible.

My go-to list of essential items to put in the hand carry include:

• Spare plastic bags (these can be used as vomit bags or dirty pamper bags)
• Wet wipes
• Tissues
• Medicines such as pain-relief medicines, saline drops for the nose, anti-nausea medication as well as any other medication that your child might be on
• Snacks: Keep any snacks that your kids like, preferably dry items. I like to keep biscuits, dry fruit, and a few bananas
• Toys, books and iPad to keep the kids entertained on the way and when you get to the locations
• For long flights and car rides, always pack extra clothes for yourself and the kids because you never know when you might need to change
• Extra pampers and formula milk (if the baby is using formula) for in case the flight gets delayed
• If your child is less than a year old, carry a sling as you might not get a pram immediately at the airport
• If you’re travelling with under 4-year olds, a good pram is a must

Things to carry in the suitcase:

• Try to carry the brand of pampers and formula that your baby is used to
• Try to pack just the right amount of clothes, especially for short trips, as you don’t want to be doing laundry on a vacation
• Don’t forget to pack any medication that you might need on the trip. Most doctors give a travel list for medication which includes probiotics, pain relief medication, anti-nausea medication and anti-allergies. It’s always best to ask the doctor for a recommendation for an antibiotic for kids and adults as its difficult to get that everywhere without prescription.
• I recently came across these really cool packing organisers or packing cubes which act as drawers in the suitcase. These will help you organise your packing so when you reach your destination you will know exactly where your things are

When travelling with kids, it is very important that you are mentally prepared that the holiday will be mostly about them.

Research and go-to places which are children-friendly and have lots to offer them. Places, where there are open spaces, are always best because there the children can run around and use their energy. I personally prefer taking the kids to the beach or up north where they have plenty of space to run around.

These are special times for a family so enjoy and cherish them; they make for amazing memories that will last forever. And always remember that if the parents are relaxed, the kids will also be at ease.

Happy travels.

Ramzan is almost here and we all begin the holy month with the resolution that we will steer clear of unhealthy food and maintain a balanced diet. The Keto diet has gained momentum in the past year and people are swearing by it. In fact, most restaurants have also introduced keto menus. However, a handful of us are still confused over the specifics of the keto diet and how it works. The Current decided to research on this and here’s what we found.

What is the ‘keto diet’?

The keto diet aims to provide the body with energy and calories mostly from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates.

The ratios depend on the individual’s body mass and activity level, but the average ranges include:

60–75 % of calories from fat;

15–30% of calories from protein;

5–10% of calories from carbohydrates.

What does the keto diet do?

Ketogenic diets are very effective for diabetes control, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing weight without feeling hungry.

How does keto diet work?

When the body receives very little amount of carbohydrates, it will run out of its preferred fuel source that is glucose and this usually happens about 3 to 4 days after the beginning of the diet. At this point, the body will start to break down protein and fat to get energy. This metabolic process is called ketosis.

What are the side effects of the keto diet?

With every change in the diet comes an adaptation period. With a keto diet, the adaption is significant as the body has to switch its fuel source from glucose to fat. When this happens, it is not uncommon to experience a collection of side effects called ‘keto-flu’. However, this usually goes away in about four weeks.

What can a “cheat day in keto diet” do?

A ‘cheat day’ in the keto diet is a big no-no because it can undo the benefits of the diet and damage blood vessels. The damage to blood vessels is due to the body’s own metabolic response to spikes in blood sugar levels, which may lead to the death of blood vessel cells.

DISCLAIMER: It always important to understand your body before following any diet because everyone’s body is different. Exercising regularly is also essential for healthy weight loss.

Finding the perfect facewash is never easy. A million questions pop up in our head when we think about buying a facewash. Will it suit my skin type? Medicated or non-medicated? Which brand is the best? In most situations, we end up buying the one that storekeeper recommends us or the one with nicer packaging. And the results can either be a hit or a miss.

As per our research, the most common question regarding facewashes is whether one should opt for a medicated facewash or a non-medicated one.

If you have oily/combination and acne prone skin, “Airol-N,” a medicated facewash, is for you. It has been tried and tested. It prevents pimples and helps reduce the appearance of skin breakouts.

In the beginning, you may feel that your skin feels dry but after a couple of weeks, you will begin to notice the difference.

However, it is important to consult a dermatologist before you experiment with your skin because something that works for us may not work for you. We are simply sharing our experience. But if your dermatologist also suggests this then HIGH FIVE!

On the other hand, non- medicated face washes are only good for cleansing. They remove the dirt from your face but they don’t play any part in reducing your pimples or scars.

I have tried plenty of non-medicated face washes, who give out high claims. For example, using a particular face wash will give you an instant glow in just one wash. And not just glow but ‘parlour wala‘ instant glow. Matlab HOW??

Neem face washes claim to reduce pimples but even after using them for a few weeks, I didn’t see any difference in my pimples.

The only benefit of non-medicated facewashes is that they are cheaper compared to medicated ones.

But as someone who has struggled with teenage acne and pimples, I believe it is important to invest in your skin. How you take care of your skin now is how it will look a few decades down the road.

If you have tried any medicated or non-medicated face wash that has worked for your skin type, do share with us.

DISCLAIMER: This review is not sponsored. The Current has done its own independent research for this review.