Child & Self Care Blog

Author: Priyanka Mittal

How to choose toys according to age of your baby..

Toys provide company, relieve boredom and stimulate the neuromotor development of the child. Children are greatly fascinated and inspired by toys which enhance their imagination and creativity. Really children and toys are inseparable.🙂

The brain gets stimulatory messages through our eyes (bright colors, flickering lights), ear ( music, lullabies, rhymes and different sounds), touch ( shape, size, texture of objects) and a combination of all of the above characteristics.

The most suitable toy is the one, which is most appropriate to serve the special need of the child depending upon his age and development status or functional capabilities. It would look stupid to buy a car for a newborn baby or a rattle for a two year old!😝 (more…)

September 9, 2016
Several reasons of babies cry and way to soothe them..
The young children cannot speak, and cry is the only language to express their needs and draw attention to their hunger and sleep, pain or unpleasant conditions. Healthy infants cry for 2-3 hours on an average every day during first two months of life. Here the question is how parents suppose to know why their baby is crying? It can be tricky to interpret your child’s cries, especially at first.

Why do babies cry?😣
- Periodic crying in infants is most commonly due to hunger, thirst, wet nappies and boredom. Signs of hunger: fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth.
- Many babies cry while passing urine( due to discomfort of full bladder), become quite and dazed while passing urine and start crying again after having passed urine. It is normal and should not be considered as a sign of difficulty in passing urine.
- Most infants cry and fret while falling asleep.
- Babies can be troubled by something as hard to spot as a hair wrapped tightly around a tiny toe or finger, cutting off circulation. (Doctors call this painful situation a “hair tourniquet,” and it’s one of the first things they look for if a baby seems to be crying for no reason.)😃
- Babies may cry due to fatigue and over stimulation or due to fussiness.
- Some children are placid and happy-go-luck while others are sensitive, aggressive, over demanding and easily frustrated.
- Excessive crying may occur due to teething, viral infection, headache, body aches, nose block, otitis media(earache), choking, unrecognized injury(pulled elbow or shoulder) or infection in any organ of the body.
- Crying may occur as a side effect of administration of some drugs.
- Most crying infants are comforted when picked up but when infants become more uncomfortable an picking up it indicates the presence of a painful condition in the limbs, joints and bones.
- Burping isn’t mandatory. But if your baby cries after a feeding, a good burp may be all he needs.Babies swallow air when they breastfeed or suck from a bottle, and if the air isn’t released it may cause some discomfort.
- Crying and fussiness while feeding is suggestive of teething, nose block, thrush and ulcers in the mouth.
(more…)
August 26, 2016
Colic , Reflux : symptoms, causes and remedies
When your baby is crying, all of your energy is focused on finding a way to calm her. You might try walking with her over your shoulder. If that doesn’t work, you might feed her or change her. On and on you go until she is calm again. But what if you cannot calm her? 😩What if the crying escalates into shrieking and her little body is stiff and her fists are clenched? You might start to feel tense and upset, even so confused, why is she so upset?

Actually I have faced the same situation some years before, But that time I am not aware of this colic and re-flux.😣

What Is Colic?

The term colic applies to any healthy, well-fed infant who cries more than 2 to 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. Here’s what we know about it:
- It is the most common cause of unexplained crying in infants between 2 to 12 weeks of age. The spells of crying occur everyday at the same time in the evening or late night hours in a clockwise regularity.
- The infant cries loudly, pulls up his legs over abdomen( gurgling sounds may felt by placing the hand over abdomen) the child may pass wind to get temporary relief.
- Excessive crying lead to further swallowing of air thus initiating a vicious cycle of colic-crying-colic. The repeated spells of crying may last for 2-3 hours until baby is tired and falls asleep.
- Colic is likely to start around age 2 weeks if your infant is full-term (or later if premature).
- It almost always goes away on its own by 3 or 4 months.
- Your baby’s sex and birth order, and whether you breast- or bottle-feed, don’t affect it.
- Kids who had colic as babies are no different from those who didn’t.
Causes of colic

The exact cause of the condition is unknown some times before but some recent study says that Cow’s Milk Proteins Cause Infantile Colic in Breast-Fed Infants or
due to intestinal colic (“blocked” wind), milk allergy etc.

Sequential analysis showed a high correlation between infantile colic in breast-fed infants and their mothers’ consumption of cow’s milk protein. A diet free of cow’s milk is suggested for the mothers as a first trial of treatment of infantile colic in breast-fed infants.

In infants indigestion is not the only reason for stomach pain. The main reason behind the pain is food, tonics and medecins given by parents unnecessary . Some infants breastfeed very slowly, some feed fastly and some take excessive milk and because of this pressure creates on stomach. And these two are the main reasons which annoy infants.

Re-flux

Just After feeding the baby, if mother make her baby lying on the bed, milk comes out in the form of reflux. Generally till the child doesn’t started sitting, some milk comes out or baby feels like vomiting. In this type of reflux milk comes in the form of curd. 5 times in a day this reflux is normal if wait is not reducing. If wait is reducing consult your ped and give medicines for this.

What to do?
- Infant with colic may get temporary relief by rhythmic rocking, placing them prone on the thighs( which facilitates expulsion of wind), gentle massage of abdomen. continuous musical sound or by taking for a drive in a car.
- A small pinch of hing (asafoetida) mixed with plain water made into a paste can be applied around the navel of the baby (NOT on the navel) in the clockwise direction.
- After applying hing take a small cotton wash cloth rubbed on a slight heated tawa can be pressed around the baby’s navel (Please check for heat by pressing on your palm first before applying on baby).
- Giving a decoction of ajwain(carom seed) and sonf(anethi seeds) may provide relief.
- Gripe water mixture should not be used due to high alcohol content.
- Anti-colic drops may be administered half an hour before the anticipation time of crying spells on the advice of a doctor.
- Their is no need to change the type and mode of feeding but attempts should be made to reduce environmental tension and decrease stimulation of the child.🙂
Hope this will provide little relief to your baby. Share your experience mom what remedies you all are using to handle colic. Feel free to comment if you have any doubt related to the article.

To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and like my face book page.

ref: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/what-is-colic

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/71/2/268?
August 9, 2016
Wheat Flour Mathri/suhali
If you are going for a holiday mathri is always a good option because it long last for more than a month. It can be given to babies as a finger food and good with tea or pickles. so I always carry it with me while travelling. It is a good option for elders as well as for kids.😀

Usually mathris are made with refined wheat flour/maida. But I wanted a healthier mathris, so I have added wheat flour to the recipe. The result was a healthy, crisp and flavorful mathri.
- It is healthy and tasty snacks for lunch box too..
- Good with tea in the evening
Ingredients
- 2 cup Wheat Flour (mainly used for making Chapatis)
- 1/2 cup maida/refined wheat flour
- 1/4 cup Sooji (optional)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee-for softness
- Salt- 2 tsp or as per taste
- 1-2 tsp Ajwain seeds
- Dried kasury methi leaves- 2 tsp(optional)
- 3/4 cup lukewarm water (use as needed)
- Oil or Ghee-for deep frying
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Method of preparation
1. Mix all the ingredients except water. Mix the flour well with oil as shown in the images.
2. Add the water little at a time, kneading into a firm dough. Remember the dough should be rough and tight not smooth.
3. Cover the dough and set aside for 15 minutes or more.
4. Divide the dough into small equal parts.
5. Take each part of the dough and make a flat ball shape. Roll them into 2 inch circles. Don’t make it much thin.
6. Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
7. The frying pan should have atleast 1 1/2 inch of oil.To check if the oil is ready, put a small piece of dough in the oil. The dough should make the oil sizzle and come up slowly.
8. Fry a few matris at a time. Make sure to place just enough mathris to cover the frying oil.
9. Fry the mathris until both sides are a light golden-brown.
10. Don’t fry till brown as it will give over fried taste.Take out on a tissue paper and allow them to become little cool.
11. Mathris can be stored for months in airtight containers.
Note:
- Can be given to one year plus baby as a finger food.
- You can crush it and mix with curd. It will fills your babies stomach while travelling.
Hope you and your family enjoy its taste.

To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and like my Face Book page.

If you like the recipe do share it with your friends and please please please do comment if you have any query related to it.😀
July 31, 2016
Bread paneer roll – tasty and healthy
Bread Paneer Rolls are probably the easiest and quickest snack you can make with some bread slices and paneer filling. I make this often with different variations of paneer filling recipe to make a nice snack for….
- guest as a starter
- Tea time
- lunch box
- evening time snacks for kids
When kids are at home and surprising guest visits are always their , we ladies have to be prepared with some easy to make dishes in mind. So today I am here with the easiest , healthiest, and yummiest recipe😋 that everyone loves to eat. Here I go..👇

Ingredients required for stuffing
- 250 grams paneer/cottage cheese preferably home made. (quantity can vary)
- 1 green chili, chopped (optional for kids)
- ½ tsp finely chopped or minced ginger
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves or parsley leaves
- ¼ tsp red chili powder/lal mirch powder(optional for kids)
- ¼ tsp garam masala powder
- ½ tsp chaat masala powder or ½ tsp amchur powder/lemon juice
- Salt as required
- You can also sprinkle some oregano
Other ingredients
- 8 to 10 slices of whole wheat bread, can also use brown bread, multi grain bread or white bread. I used white bread this time.
- some spoons of oil or softened butter for brushing
Must read articles..

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Method of preparation
1. Crumble the paneer very well and add all the ingredients and keep aside. Prefer home made paneer for bread role, home made cottage cheese is healthy as well as soft to eat.
2. Now take a bread slice and with a rolling pin slightly flatten the bread. You can cut the edges of the bread. I forget to do that..😛
3. Take 2 tsp of the paneer stuffing and place it on the middle of the bread, as shown on the images.
4. Brush some water over the four edges of the slices. you can also dip your fingertips in water and moisten the edges.
5. Now gently cover the bread slice and press the edges to form a rectangular roll. you can also moisten your fingers with some water and then press.
6. Prepare rolls this way and place it on a hot pan/tawa . Lightly brush some oil/butter on the rolls. Then spread 1 to 2 tsp oil on a tawa Place the rolls and toast on a low to medium flame. Flip carefully when one side is toasted and toast the second side. when both the sides are toasted well, then remove the rolls and serve hot with home made tomato ketchup, or with coriander chutney.
7. You can bake also. Bake the bread rolls in a preheated oven at 200 degrees celsius/390 degrees fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes or till the bread rolls become golden and crisp. as oven temperatures vary, do keep a check while baking. depending on the size, make, model of the oven it can take less or more time – from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. preheat the oven for 10 minutes before baking the rolls.
8. You can cut into pieces as shown in the images so that it become easy for kids to eat it well.
It is good for 1 year plus baby.

Hope you and your family enjoy its taste.

To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and like my Face Book page

If you like the recipe do share it with your friends and please please please do comment if you have any query related to it.😀
July 4, 2016
suji/rava pancake – Healthy quick dish for baby/toddlers/kids
I am thinking of telling about this easy and healthy recipe from many days. Finally writing today. This recipe is very near to my heart since my childhood. And now getting a chance to share it with everyone especially with mother’s who have fussy eater at their home. My daughter is so fussy eater sometime I feel like crying.. at that time rava pancake helps me out. She at least open her mouth again and again for it. So without taking much time I am directly jumping to a very simple recipe that anyone can prepare easily.

Benefits of suji
1. Semolina is Rich in Potassium, Iron, Proteins.
2. Suji doesn’t cause constipation in babies.
3. Suji is easy to digest and non allergenic food.
4. Potassium in Suji/ rava or Semolina improves heart health.
5. Suji is a balanced food, low on cholesterol and low on sodium.
6. Suji tastes great and is acceptable to adults as well as children.
7. Suji has plenty of proteins, carbohydrates and iron as well as vitamin B & E.
Actually their are many more benefits, but I think this much benefits is enough to add it in your kitchen😂
Ingredients required
1. Sooji/rava/samolina – 3-4 tsp if preparing only for your baby. Its taste is so good while making your baby eat, half gone into your stomach. 😂
2. Curd – 1 tsp (It makes it more healthier as curd adds protein.)
3. Salt to taste – For 1 year above baby.
4. Black pepper – a pinch
5. Water – For getting the required consistency
6. Mustard seeds – a pinch(optional)
7. Oil/ghee/butter – (Depends on how much you like to use while cooking) Better prefer home made ghee while preparing it for your dear one.
8. You can add any vegetables according to your child likes, like onion, spinach, beetroot, carrot, cabbage,capsicum,coriander leafs etc. Try to add veggies in grated form. It become easy for kids to have it easily.
………… Must read articles ………….

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Method of Preparation

…………………...Making the batter…………………….
1. Take a bowl and add Semolina (Suji). Add Curd and mix well.
2. Add 1/4 cup water in Semolina to make a smooth paste.
3. Add black pepper and Salt. Mix Well.
4. Suji might loose its consistency while mixing. If required, add some more water to bring to dropping consistency because suji soaks more water.
5. The paste should neither be too thick nor too liquid. Maintain a dropping consistency.
6. You can leave it for half an hour so that suji soaks some water and become soft. But its not a compulsion. Instant preparation also give nice taste and texture.
…………………………Making the pancakes………………………….
1. Take a flat base pan /tawa and heat it on high flame for 2 minutes.
2. After 2 minutes, spread 1 tsp of Oil or butter on pan surface equally.
3. At this time, the pan would be hot enough to start cooking.
4. Turn stove to low flame and spread 3 tsp of batter on pan using a spoon. Try to add 3 tsp in one shot even if you have to use a bigger sized spoon.Once you drop the paste, press it at the center with spoon and rotate in circle to form a round shaped flat-bread.Do not overstretch. The circle should have a diameter of about 4 inches.If your pan is big enough to hold more than 1 cake, you can certainly cook more simultaneously.
5. Spread few drops (4-5) of Oil on top of pan cake.
6. Use a spatula to lift the pan-cake bottom to check, if it has turned golden brown from bottom . .
7. Now turn it over (flip) and cook from other side too.
8. Once golden brown, it is ready.
9. Garnish it with coriander leaves and enjoy with Home made Tomato sauce or green coriander chutney .
Note:
- Suji pancake is good for baby above 8 month.
- Can give as a finger food to baby, but take care of the choking hazards.
- Avoid salt till one year of age, if baby don’t like its taste without salt you can add a pinch.
- This pancake is Good enough for lunch box but pack it when it get cool enough.
To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and my face book page. Share this recipe with your friends and needy, remember helping other is also a good habit😀.
June 29, 2016
Mouth watering Aam papad
Since my childhood I am a great fan of aam papad and in every summer vacation my nanimaa prepare it for me. But now because of health issues she is not able to prepare it.😔 But I don’t want to fade my childhood memories and want to make my daughter aware of its taste and goodness. Earlier she loved the taste of ready made aam papad, because she never tasted home-made aam padad. 😢But as a mother I can’t trust its quality. So want to pass my nanimaa’s asset to next generation. And started preparing this at home. And yesss, my daughter love it’s taste and when she eat aampapad, I am also able to cherish my childhood memories.😊

So here is the easy recipe of mine manpasand Childhood ke aam papad ..

I prepared in a very easy way as much I can

Ingredients required

4-5 large size mango – Mango Should be properly ripen and pulpy
Sugar/brown sugar – Half bowl
1/2 teaspoon Elachi powder – optional

Foil paper – according to the quantity

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Method of Preparation
1. Take out the pulp from mangoes.
2. Grind it well and make a fine puree.
3. Put the mango puree in a pan and lit the gas in medium flame.
4. Stir it constantly till heat bubbles are seen. At least for 15 to 20 minutes. Time can fluctuate according to the quantity.
5. Now mix the sugar and elaichi powder.
6. Stir it for 5 more minutes so that the sugar dissolved well.
7. Try to evaporate the water for next 3-4 minutes. Its color slightly change after adding the sugar.
8. Switch off the flame
9. Allow it to cool down properly.
10. Pour 2 tbs of mixture into a small thali lined by foil paper and spread it well. See the images foe clarification
11. It should be 2-3 mm thick at least so that we can lift it properly when it dries.
12. The mixture becomes very sticky as it dries up and impossible to lift up if poured directly without foil paper
13. I tried muffins paper and foil paper. Foil paper gives the best result. Aam papad comes out easily from it.
Now comes the most difficult part – drying the mixture.😁 I ate almost half the aam padap in its drying process. 😛

I used solar energy to dry it. Put the plates in the porch from 10 am to 6 pm where the sun rays come after covering it with net. In some houses sun rays doesn’t come directly, so At least put it in place where warm air of sun come and switch on the fan it helps in drying it. It take 2-3 days to dry completely. If you want to store it for some days dry it completely, it become like papad.

Here comes your aam papad. Hope you all are aware of the benefits of mango. You can visit Mango Shake “Very healthy for babies/toddlers/kids for preparing mango shake and getting acknowledge with the benefits of mango.

Note:

It is good for 1 year plus baby.

Hope you and your family enjoy its taste.

To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and my my Face Book page

If you like the recipe do share it with your friends and please please please do comment if you have any query related to it.😀
June 19, 2016
Mango Shake “Very healthy for babies/toddlers/kids
Mango is called as ‘King of Fruits’ because of its taste and nutrition . Elders , kids, toddlers all loves its taste.

Beyond the sweet, luscious taste of mangoes, they also contain an abundance of vitamins,minerals and antioxidants that assure optimum health. Even when I ask my 4 year daughter that, which fruit you love most, she said without taking time Mangooo…And when it’s season go, she used to ask, “Mumma mango wapas kub aayega.”

Health benefits of Mango shake

One cup of mango juice contains calories (128), protein (<1 gm), carbohydrate (0.8gm). It is also loaded with vitamin C, A, B, E, & K. Minerals like potassium (61gm), calcium (43 gm), magnesium (8 gm), phosphorous (5 gm), iron (0.9 gm), selenium (1 mcg), sodium (13 gm). One cup of mango juice contains about 60% of your daily requirement of vitamin C and 40% of daily requirement of vitamin A.
1. Strengthen Immune system – Mangoes are such fruits which promote immune system in your baby. The high carotene and beta-carotene content present in mangoes promotes the immune system and makes it stronger.
2. Good for Eyes – good supply of vitamin A is needed for proper and quick development of eye sight which is present in mango
3. Strengthen bones – Milk, which is the integral part of mango shake, is having vitamin D and calcium, helps in strengthening of bones.
4. Enables brain development:Mangoes are rich in vitamin B-6 and glutamine acid which helps in improved brain functioning, memory and concentration.
5. Easily Digestable : Mangoes contain enzymes and biochemicals such as esters, terpenes and aldehydes which promote digestion.
6. Their are many other benefits of having mangoes and mango shake. It is good for heart, control acidity, maintain blood pressure, prevent cancer, for glowing skin. And it is good during pregnancy also.
I know after reading its health benefits you are now quite excited to prepare this delicious drink in your kitchen😋 for your choosy little one.

So today I am going to prepare yummy yummy mango shake …Lets join me😀
Ingredients required :
1. Ripe mango – 2 or according to the family size
2. Cold milk – 1 cup
3. Cold water – 1/2 cup
4. Sweetner – 4-5 tsp (sugar/jaggery powder/palm sugar/honey)
5. Saffron(kesar) – few strands(optional)
6. Cardamon powder (optional)
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Method of preparation
- Wash mangoes under running water
- Peel the mango and chop unevenly.
- Add chopped mangoes ,water and sugar(I used jaggery powder) in a blender and blend it to a fine paste.Then add milk.
- Blend all the ingredients together. Adjust the quantity of milk to get the desired consistency.
- Sprinkle cardamom powder while serving it . It give a nice aroma and look.
- Give it to your baby without adding ice.
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Measures to be taken while feeding mangoes to babies.
1. Baby must be 7 month plus.
2. Mangoes should be used after leaving it in water for more than a hour.
3. Do not feed unripe mango: Unripe mango is not to be fed to infants. Unripe mango can be very sour and babies might not like it and moreover, unripe mangoes can be indigestible to many infants.
4. Check out for allergies: Mango being a tropical fruit might be allergic to some people.
Hope this article prove beneficial for everyone and you all started giving mango shake to your little one in summer.
To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and my Face-book page
Hope I am able to explain the recipe well.😐 Feel free to ask if you have any doubt related to the recipe in comments.

Do let me know the response of your kids after having it.

ref : http://www.parentinghealthybabies.com/
June 14, 2016
28 Iron Rich Food for babies/toddlers/kids proper devlopment
Iron is crucial for children’s health and development. An exclusive breastfed baby gets enough iron required for his body from breast milk. But after 6 months, foods in the form of liquids, purees and semi solids have to be introduced as breast milk alone can’t provide the enough nutrients, especially iron.
- Not getting enough can cause iron deficiency anemia and make you baby more susceptible to illness and infections.
- Low iron can result in tiredness and irritability.
- Iron deficiency or low hemoglobin can lead to growth deficiencies and behavioral issues in babies and kids.
Iron is responsible for the production of red blood cells, in turn helping in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Iron provides hemoglobin which is the protein found in red blood cells.

Iron requirement in body

Age 0-6 months : 0.27 milligrams(mg)/day

7-12 months need 11 mg / day

Ages 1 to 3 years: 7 mg / day

Ages 4 to 8 years: 10 mg /day and so on…..

If you are vegetarian then serve iron rich food with vitamin c such as orange juice, oranges, strawberries, red and green bell peppers, papaya, broccoli, grapefruit, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, mangoes, and sweet potatoes.

That’s why I always used to add tomatoes in spinach vegetable and some time squeeze lemon to.

Iron found in animal source is easy to absorbed such as meat, seafood, and poultry.

Here are some iron rich food that we can add in your kids daily diet, actually not only kids we have to add these food in our families daily diet.😀

1. Spinach/Palak

Yes spinach is really a great source of iron. During my pregnancy I started hating spinach vegetables. So my mother in law add spinach in daal and prepare its paratha and puri. Now I add spinach in all possible things so that my daughter get iron properly.
# Add spinach in tomato soup.
# Add it in vegetable or even in normal khichidi.
# Prepare its paratha, puri.
# Prepare its vegetables like Palak paneer, tomato Palak, corn Palak etc etc. 1/4th cup of spinach contain 1.61mg of iron.

  2. Methi/ Fenugreek leaves

Fenugreek leaves are enriched with minerals like Potassium, Calcium, and Iron. You can include fenugreek leaves in paratha, can add in vegetables or in khichidi. Its seeds are also very beneficial, add it in your family diet through chaas/butter milk .(must read this chaas recipe)

3. Peppermint/pudina

This herb is an excellent source of iron. It contain 5.08 mg/100g of iron. You can prepare pudina chutney or can add pudina leaves while preparing coriander chutney. I used to add dried pudina powder in chaas/buttermilk.

4. Coriander leaves

Prepare its chutney, can use in vegetable. I used to apply coriander chutney in roti and give that roll to my daughter.

Read this for guidance : Party paratha

5. Jaggery / gur

Yes a very healthy and tasty source of iron. I used to put gur in prashad on daily basis and give it to my daughter. In the form of prashad she takes it easily. 😉

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6. Roasted bengal gram/chana

A very healthy snacks for the whole family. My father-in law is a great fan of roasted gram. A jar full of gram is always available in my home. Remember what you take your kids learn the same, so I am very happy that my daughter loves it too.

It contains a good amount of iron, sodium and selenium in addition to small doses of manganese, copper and zinc.

7. Green peas

You can add peas in khichidi, pulav or can prepare its vegetable. 1/2 cup contain 0.61 of iron.

8. Spring onion

Add in bhajies. Prepare potato and onion vegetable. It really taste good. Add it in soup or in fried rice.

9. Radish leaves

The green parts of a radish contain more nutrients than the entire radish itself. They help provide a nutrient rich diet and also some important minerals like iron, calcium, folic acid, vitamin C and phosphorous.

we used to prepare daal muli, and in its vegetable also we can add its leafs too.

10. Cabbage

Cabbage is rich in iron and sulphur. Can prepare its vegetable. Its paratha also taste good.

11. Cow-peas

Cow peas/leaves can be cooked in the form of curries / stir fries which are an excellent source of iron.

12. Fish

Fish is an excellent source of iron. It can be steamed, fried or curried as required.

13. Egg

I have never tried egg, but I give it to my daughter because of its nutritional benefits. Egg is an easy source of iron and my daughter loves it taste.😀 1 large egg ( 17 g) contain 0.46 of iron.

14. Soya bean

Soya bean is a great source of iron. We used to make its roti by adding its flour with wheat flour and gram flour. Mix Soya bean with black beans, green gram and peanut. Soak all three over night. Drain the water and leave all this for a day in a sprout box. Add chat masala and lemon juice and can chop onion and tomato to enhance its taste . A healthy iron rich breakfast is ready for the kids as well as for the whole family.

15. Ragi

Finger millet is very high in calcium, rich in iron and fiber, and has a better energy content. We  can use it in the form of roti, idli, dosa. Home made cerelac is prepared with ragi. It contain 3.9mg of iron.

16. Brown rice

It is  naturally rich in fiber, it helps rid the body from toxins, and its high iron content also helps to fight anemia and fatigue. Cook a serving of brown rice along with your favorite beans or veggies for an iron-rich meal.

17. Dry fruits

A handful of (raisins, fig, almond, walnut etc.) can provide adequate amount of iron to babies and pregnant woman. We can also prepare dry fruits powder and add that powder in milk, porridge or in sera/halwa.

Read : Homemade kesar badam(Almond) powder for Kids

18 . Whole Wheat Bread

Its 1/2 slice contain 0.43 mg of iron. Toddlers and kids generally love its taste so its a easy and healthy option to give.

19. Beetroot

Beetroot is of exceptional nutritional value; especially the greens, which are rich in calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. It can be added in khichadi, soup or can be added with any juice. The green leaves should not be overlooked; they can be cooked up and enjoyed in the same way as spinach.

read : Mix veg soup

20. lentils

Lentils are an excellent source of iron. Any lentils like masoor dal, mung dal, chana dal all are rich in iron. Give lentils on daily basis to your baby.

Read: Lentil Soup(Dal pani) for our 6 month old Baby

21. Groundnuts/peanuts

It contain 4.6mg/100gm of iron. Its an easy source of iron and can be given to children in evening snacks.

22. Poha/ Rice flakes

Poha are lactose free, heart healthy and fat free. They are a good source of eleven vital minerals and vitamins including iron.

23. Potato

Incorporating potatoes into our little one’s diet helps them reach their recommended daily intake of the essential mineral iron. Can give boiled and mashed potato. Can prepare its vegetable, used it as paratha stuffing or as finger food(of course boiled)😂.

24. Pumpkin seeds

A handful of pumpkin seeds, or an ounce, contains about one milligram of iron. We Can prepare its sweet sourly vegetable also . It is really a very healthy vegetable not only for kids but for everyone.

25. Bajra

It contain 8mg of iron. we can prepare its roti and laddos. In Rajasthan we prepare its rabri, by mixing it with chaas /buttermilk.

26. Prune juice

It contain 3.2 mg of iron per cup.

27. Oats

Oats contain 4.7mg of iron per 100gm. It is an ideal source of giving iron to your baby in the form of porridges, oats laddoo, cake etc.

28. Dried apricot

Just a handful of dried apricots can provide 35% of daily iron intake. Chop them up to serve with other fruits or over a salad.

Therr are many other iron rich food also but here I mentioned only those that are easily available and can be taken by kids easily. Hope this article help you to increase the iron content in your families daily diet.

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June 8, 2016
Butter milk- amazing healthy drink to beat the heat
Butter milk (chaas) is a very common drink and I know it is prepared in many houses specially in summer , still I am sharing its recipe . The reason is some days before my grandmother’s friend visited my house and I served her chaas.

She told me the miraculous ingredients that earlier people used to add in chass to get awesome results and they don’t need to rush to doctors for small small problems like we do these days.😖
- Earlier I used to take tea after my meal, but when realized the good effects of chaas in my body, I replace my near to dear tea with chaas. Now the whole day I feel good after having chaas, no acidity, no indigestion, no heaviness.😃
- Now my daughter also become a big fan of butter milk. I used to give her when she is very small around 7-8 month old. when ever I see the sign of loose motion, I replace his formula or cow milk(after 1 year) with butter milk.
- It Strengthen the immune system, so very beneficial if we started giving it to our babies as a regular drink. All spices except cumin powder should be given to baby after completing one year.
- I always used to pack chill butter milk along with lunch box in a Milton bottle for my husband and father in law. 😋
So without taking much of your time, I directly jump to the healthiest, easy and very tasty recipe…here we go😀

No cooking required

serves : 3-4

Ingredients required
1. Fresh curd – 1 bowl
2. Roasted cumin seeds powder(jeera)- 1/2 tsp
3. Fenugreek seeds powder(methi) – 1/4th tsp (powder it just by putting in a grinder without roasting) *Read notes
4. Black pepper powder – 1/4 tsp
5. Dried mint powder (pudina)- 1/2 tsp
6. Black salt(kaka namak) – 1/4 tsp
7. Rock salt – 1/2 tsp (namak kam hi lo but aacha lo😉)
Must read articles
Method of Preparation

Butter milk is very easy to prepare, we just need to add all the healthy spices that is mentioned above.

Add 2 glass of water . Mix well with the help of hand blender so that lumps of curd mixed well.
Chill in the refrigerator.Your butter milk us ready to serve.

Garnish it with cumin powder or can put fresh coriander or mind leaf to it.

Benefits of ingredients that we added to it…

Chaas is categorized as a sattvic food in Ayurveda
1. Curd and water
- The main ingredients of chaas is water and curd. Made with cool, watered down curd, this drink is perfect to soothe the stomach. As you drink it the cool buttermilk tends to wash down the spices and calms an irritated stomach lining.
- Since it contains electrolytes and lots of water, it is the best treat to give to your body to fight dehydration.
- Many kids are lactose intolerant actually able to digest yogurt without a problem. If you’re lactose intolerant, drinking chaas is one way to make sure you get your calcium.
2. Cumin powder and Black pepper
- This spices relieves the stomach from irritation caused due to spicy foods.
- Very helpful for those who are looking to lose weigh, cumin powder helps in loosing weight.
3. Fenugreek seeds powder(methi)
- I am talking about methi powder that my grand mother’s friend advised us.
- Methi not only add flavor to dishes and controlling diabetes to inducing labor, fenugreek seeds have had diverse benefits for your skin, hair, and health.
- Fenugreek seeds have been used by women to increase their breast milk production.
- Reduces cholesterol, reduces pain from arthritis, help in weight loss, improve kidney function, improve Kidney Function, protect liver, fight dandruff, prevent hair loss etc etc etc..Their are many other benefits but I think this much benefits are enough for everyone to include it in our diet.😉
4. Dried Mint powder
- Cures respiratory disorders like asthma, coughs, congestion, and cold
- Good for stomach problems like indigestion, acidity, worm infestation, flatulence, colic, diarrhea, etc.
- Reduces cramps – beneficial in reducing stomachache and menstrual cramps
- It has a relaxing effect – relieves headaches, migraines and reduces stress and tension
5. Black salt
- Indian black salt is considered a cooling spice in ayurvedic medicine and is recommended for many health issues such as constipation, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, goiter, poor eyesight and hysteria.
6. Rock salt(sendha namak)
- It aids in digestion and is prescribed for laxative and digestive disorders. It improves appetite, removes gas and soothes heartburn.
- It stabilizes blood pressure, maintain the pH balance etc etc…
Note :
- You can also chill the butter milk in the refrigerator and serve later.If possible use it in the same day.
- If used after few hours, the spices settled down in the bottom and fenugreek powder become sticky. So it is my advice to blend it again before serving or serve it immediately after preparation.
- If having cold, prepare it in normal water.
- You can also add more water if required to thin the chaas.
Hope this article prove beneficial for everyone and you all started adding all these beneficial healthy spices to chaas.
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Hope I am able to explain the recipe well.😐 Feel free to ask if you have any doubt related to the recipe in comments.

Do let me know the response of your kids and family.
April 18, 2016
Stuffed Idli – Just Wow

I just love to twist the regular food that we prepare at home. “Bache bhi khush aur bade bhi”😜

Yes you read it correct, its stuffed idlli not stuffed paratha. Tried something new in my kitchen and luckly its appreciated by all and even by my choosy daughter too.. She said mumma, next time please stuffed maggie in it.

(more…)

April 8, 2016
Eggless Chocolate Wheat Cake
When I prepared beetroot wheat cake , my daughter become so happy and eats it well. But within a week she started demanding for chocolate cake. 😫 “chalo bhai lag jao phir se kaam pe”. 😜

But the best part is she enjoyed it and take it in her lunch box. I used little of my kalakari😜 to make her happy by making eyes , nose and mouth with the muffins(Prepared from the remaining batter).

This cake help me to gain lots of appreciation from relatives and friends who come in my place after holi.☺️ I just warm the cake in micro wave and add ice-cream as a topping.

So one cake with lots of possibilities….😀

So here I am again in front of you with a healthy recipe..

must reading articles..
Ingredients required
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 1 cup sugar powder(can also use palm sugar powder)
- 1/2 cup malai – That is always available in my refrigerator for preparing home made ghee. (If malai is not available 1/2 cup olive or any unflavored cooking oil can be used)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- Chocolate essence ( 1/2 tsp)
- Coco Powder – 1 tbsp
Method of preparation
- Mix all dry ingredients well(wheat flour, soda,sugar,coco powder) together.
- Take a big bowl, pour milk, malai /oil and mix them well in one direction until it desolve properly.
- You can use beater to mix the batter.
- Add all the dry ingredients and mix well, you can add some more milk if batter is thick.
- Now add essence and mix well, always mix the cake in one direction.
- Grease the mould, by applying butter to its surface and spreading some flour. The cake will come out easily if we grease the tin properly. See beat root wheat cake for greasing images.
- Pour the batter in the tin. Tap it two times to level the batter.
- Take some chocolate chips(optional), spread some wheat flour over it and mix well.
- Adding flour makes the chocolate chips to be stable in the upper portion.
- Spread it over the batter.
- I prepared it in bati over, preheat the oven and put the tin over it for 55 minutes in low flame.
- You can bake it in oven for 30 min in 160° after preheating it.
- Let it be cool in the oven itself to maintain its fluffiness.
- Take it out from the tin carefully and enjoyed it with your family.😋
- I didn’t pour all the batter in the tin, and put the remaining batter in muffins tray to make eyes, and mouth of the cake😛 and insert half chotu munch in the middle to make nose.
- My daughter loves this idea and enjoyed it by clapping.
- I never forget to prepare cake while traveling.
Note:
- This cake can be given to toddlers above 2 years old.
- See the images for better preparation.
- Can be given as a side dish in lunch box, can be served as a brownie by heating it and adding ice-cream or hot chocolate to it.
To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and my Face-book page
Hope I am able to explain the recipe well.

Do let me know the response of your kids and family.
March 28, 2016
Churma – Prefect instant food for baby while traveling.

Churma is made using wheat flour, sugar, home made ghee and water.

Food is a big issue while traveling with baby.I remember when my daughter was just 9 month old, we went to Thailand. At that time my expert mother-in-law prepared churma for her because it long last for more than a week. It helped me a lot and my daughter took it easily because of its taste. When I reaches the hotel, I kept it in the refrigerator so that it last long. (more…)

March 18, 2016
Wheat cake- yummy and healthy
Hello all, very happy and damn excited to share my new experiment with cake. Earlier I prepared cake with maida ( finely milled refined and bleached wheat flour) as normally everyone do.

But when my daughter grown up little and started eating it, I didn’t feel good when she eat it. Every child has a trust on his mother , that whatever their mother give them to eat is the healthiest food ever. When she ate that maida cake, guilt rolled around me.😪 So I decided to try it with wheat, and here is the outcome in front of you all.😃 Now my daughter used to take it in her lunch box and share with her friends too.

The taste is almost the same, even my choosy daughter say nothing and ate it easily as she eat that maida cake. “lag gai meri to lottery“😜

Here I go with the recipe……………

Have you gone through this :

Home-made tomato ketchup – Kids Favorite

Tasty Hot-Sticks for Lunch Box

Wheat Flour Mathri/suhali

Ingredients required
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 3/4 cup sugar powder(can also use palm sugar powder)
- 1/2 cup milk powder
- 1/2 cup home made malai – That is always available in my refrigerator for preparing home made ghee.
- 1/2 cup water – I used beat juice and add it in the water for color.
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- Rose essence ( 1/2 tsp) – I used rose essence because I am preparing pink cake.
- Pinch of red color – If not using beat juice
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Sample Food Chart for 1-2 year baby

Method of preparation
- Mix all dry ingredients well(wheat flour, soda,sugar) together
- Take a big bowl, pour milk, malai and beat root water and mix them well.
- You can use beater to mix the batter.
- Add all the dry ingredients and mix well, you can add some more milk if the batter is thick.
- Now add essence and mix well, always mix the cake in one direction.
- Grease the mould, by applying butter to its surface and spreading some flour. The cake will come out easily if we grease the tin properly. See the image for this.
- Pour the batter in the tin. Tap it two times to level the batter.
- Take some tutty fruity, spread some wheat flour over it and mix well.
- Adding flour makes the tutty fruity to be stable in the upper portion.
- Spread it over the batter.
- I prepared it in bati over, preheat the oven and put the tin over it for 55 minutes in low flame.
- You can bake it in oven for 30 min in 160° after preheating it.
- Let it be cool in the oven itself to maintain its fluffiness.
- Take it out from the tin carefully and enjoyed it with your family.😋
Note:
- This cake can be given to toddlers above 2 years old.
- See the images for better preparation.
Hope I am able to explain the recipe well. Do let me know the response of your kids and family. I will be happy in hearing the response.
To get regular updates please subscribe to my blog and my face book page.
March 11, 2016
Tasty Hot-Sticks for Lunch Box

Hello friends, Today I’ve tried something different in hope that my daughter may start liking the cutlet. She calls it Hot ice-cream sticks.😋. Presentation really matters for kids. She take two in her lunch box happily , and finished it properly😃. This is a very simple and easy recipe, good with tea for elders and good with home made ketchup for toddlers.

(more…)

March 7, 2016
Vegetables Lentil soup.

When your baby get bored with the same food, just add a twist to his food. Just by changing the way he will definitely finished his food.
When my daughter started making faces 😒when she saw khichadi bowl, next day I changed the menu and prepare something which is as healthy as khichadi with different taste. Just convert khichadi in soup form .😜 (more…)

March 4, 2016
29 Home remedies to cure Constipation in babies & kids

Constipation is a common problem among new born to kids. Many mother have the same query that why their baby is not pooping for more than 3 days. My baby is getting problem in passing stool. Stool is very hard Etc Etc…

Yes it’s very much normal for breastfeeding babies to not poop for 6-8 days too. If baby is comfortable then nothing to worry. (more…)

March 3, 2016
Party Paratha – Loved by all

Everyone gets bored with the same food and the same style of presentation. Today my daughter started saying no no!! 😖 when she saw the paratha , coriander chutney and potato mash in her plate.
There is no use of scolding her for food. So I just give some twist to the paratha and named it Party paratha.👯

Isn’t it nice ? She started dancing when I called it Party paratha and started clapping and jumping.Wow Mumma yummy !!! I will finish it.😀

(more…)

February 21, 2016