Soothing Winter Vegetable Soup

Posted on December 8, 2013 by reks

soup

Hello everyone,

I have a house full of sick people for the last one week and soups for us have been on the top of our menu list. So here goes one of the type of soups that was a big hit !

you need …

  • 1tbsp butter
  • 1big onion chopped
  • 6-7cloves of garlic chopped
  • 3medium sized red n ripe tomatoes chopped
  • 1big carrot diced
  • 2medium potatoes diced
  • Few leaves of spinach chopped
  • Salt
  • Pepper

For flavor use any herb of your choice. I tried once with freshly chopped basil leaves and another time with celery .

What to do …

Heat the pressure cooker and put in the butter, add onions and garlic. Fry till soft and transparent.
Toss in the veggies, herbs and add salt . Stir .
Add enough water to cover the veggies . Pressure cook for 2whistles. Continue reading →

If its too watery mash a few veggies.
Add pepper for the extra zing .
Your clear soup with loads of veggies is ready !!

Variation- you can also puree after the pressure cooking and add some milk or cream before serving ..
And here is your cream of vegetable soup !

Slurrp and enjoy with toast

Posted in Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flat Tummy after Delivery

Posted on December 6, 2013 by admin


Source

A flat tummy after childbirth becomes a dream for every mom. Its kind-off exaggerated when it comes to celebrities. They have ridiculously flat abs in no time and they owe it to workouts, diets etc. But the truth is how much ever you exercise or eat right your body has gone though a lot and those perfect 2,3,4 packs is not that easy provided you spend all your time and money at the gym. And even when you lose all the fat there will be a little sagging here and there.

So when I asked my friend who is a fitness expert on what she suggests for us busy moms, she gave us some tips, off-course shortcuts (I so love shortcuts!!!). So here it is:

Eat Right:

  • Reduce salt intake and increase lean proteins in your diet.
  • Soak methi seeds overnight and drink the water in the morning for water retention.
  • Never believe the thin ladies who claim that they are slim no matter what they eat. They are definitely doing something right that you are not.
  • Drink Plenty of water.
  • Always choose low fat dairy products and healthy snacks (like eggs, peanuts, treptin biscuits).

Exercise:

  • Running is good for the Abs. But again time crunch might be an issue. So master the “God” of all exercises the Plank. One minute of plank is equal to 100 crunches. visit RunnerClick website
  • So mommies Im sure you cant state the famous “no time” reason again, see video below:

Continue reading →

Make weightloss fun:

  • Always play with your baby on the floor so that you get up and sit down many times and your squats is done.
  • Climb stairs with your baby.
  • Walk with your baby.
  • Include basic exercises within your days schedule.
  • Indulge in an Ayurveda massage once in a while if you find time.
Posted in Mothercare, Weight loss | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

For the sweeth toothies… Quick Eggless Dates and Carrot cake

Posted on December 5, 2013 by reks

IMAG0099

Hello dear mommies!!

Just to break from the monotony of all the mommy gyan, here is a simple and quick recipe for a yummy dessert

Eggless Carrot and Date cake

You need….

  • 1cup pitted and chopped dates
  • 1/2 cup grated carrot
  • 1cup warm milk
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered sugar ( depends on how sweet the dates are)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1cup all purpose flour/maida
  • 1tsp baking powder

How to make….
Let the chopped dates soak in the warm milk for about 10mins.
Pre heat the oven.
In the meantime, sift the flour and baking powder together 3 times.
Then add the grated carrot and sugar to the dates+milk and *beat well.
Add the oil and *beat again
Now add the sifted flour little by little and beat well till you get a smooth mixture

Grease the cake mould with little butter and sprinkle some flour so that the baked cake doesnt stick to the bottom and comes out clean Continue reading →

Pour the mixture into the mold and bake for about 15-20 mins. You can use a fork to prick in the centre of the cake , if it comes out clean then your cake is DONE!!
Turn off and let the cake remain in the oven for 5 mins before you remove it .

Options: if you have cupcake moulds and liners, you can pour till about 3/4th of the cup and let it bake for 10mins. Cupcakes get done faster ..
* For beating and mixing the cake mix, you can use an electric hand held mixer to make it convenient.

Posted in Recipes, Toddler and Kids | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review of Atogla Lotion

Posted on December 4, 2013 by admin

I have somehow managed to settle-down on all Curatio products. Though I used their Tedibar soap, Spoo Shampoo and B4 nappi cream for my LO, I never tried their moisturizer as I thought it is used only for Atopic Dermatitis – you can see more here. But you can use it as a regular moisturizer too.

It worked very well on my LO’s skin and I’m going to alternate this with Cetaphil as Cetaphil alone is not enough to fight the winters.

The lotion is quite thick and milky so once in the morning and once at night is enough. The fragrance is mild somewhat like talcum powder. Apply a generous amount though it might look chalky it gets absorbed in no time.

As winter peaks I am planning to buy the cream. Im very happy with this product as it is reasonable compared to cetaphil, I needed one bottle of cetaphil every two weeks. Overall another top class product by Curatio, it works very well with the Tedibar soap. I will surely rebuy again.

Posted in Babycare | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Atopic Dermatitis –Prevention and Home Remedies

Posted on December 3, 2013 by admin

Atopic Dermatitis is a type of eczema that occurs in infants and children. It is non-contagious. I have dry skin so I think my LO takes it from me (not happy though).

Everywhere in the web it says Atopic Dermatitis is itchy and flaky my LO had it recently and *touchwood* it was not itchy and that bad. So here are some of my observations and how you need to treat it rightaway to avoid severe eczema. The cause is not really known, my doctor says its sometimes in the air and some food also can cause this condition or trigger.

How does it Look:

It starts with round or oval pink/reddish patches, then it flares up a little. When treated it turns into brown/dark brown patches and then turns white and later vanishes. So note down all the colors and figure out which stage your baby is in.

Areas affected:

Sadly there is no particular spot it can occur everywhere. For my LO (little one) it started in the nappy areas (so I first thought diaper rash), moved to the sides then back and lastly chin.

Prevention:

Moisturize your kids well in winter and use a mild PH neutral soap like Cetaphil, Sebamed, Tedibar, etc.
If its due to a food allergy just check what are the new foods that you introduced. Milk, Eggs and Nuts are triggers.

Medical Treatment:

I have visited the doctor and there is no specific treatment for Atopic dermatitis. They suggested a cream called Desonide (steroid so plzzzz consult your doctor). Continue reading →

Only a thin layer should be applied on flare ups if it’s very bad.

Calamine Lotion to calm the itch.

Moisturizer and a neutral PH soap , since I was using the right products I did not need a change. I just had to increase the number of times I moisturize my LO.

I use Tedibar soap and Cetaphil moisturizers both are reviewed on the blog.

You can also use Atogla Lotion which is made specifically for Atopic Dermatitis or this lotion can be used regularly. My next post is on the Lotion do checkout the review.

Home Remedy:

What more than the very humble coconut oil which has a calming effect on the skin. Massage your baby with coconut oil before bath, drop a little in the bath. It really helps. Other than that moisturize, moisturize and again moisturize. That’s the only thing which will keep Atopic dermatitis at bay.

For Nursing Moms:

Start a dosage of fish oil capsules and have probotic drinks like yakult for a week it really helps.

Posted in Babycare | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Mompreneur of the Week: Elizabeth Jacob from Liz Jacob Designs

Posted on December 1, 2013 by admin

DSC_0088

Elizabeth Jacob (Priya) is the owner & artist at Liz Jacob Designs. Here is her interesting entrepreneurial journey. Thankyou so much Priya for doing this for us :)

I began my entrepreneurial journey with ‘Liz Jacob Designs’ after 11 years of corporate life. When motherhood came along, the need for work-life balance became more important than ever and I finally took the plunge on a dream I always had. I wanted to design and create my own product line but I was not sure what the core idea would be. While shopping for my new born son, I felt there was a nascent need for more variety in children’s clothing, especially in the pure cotton range. Denims and tees flooded the market and everything looked like it was manufactured for mass appeal. I felt convinced I wanted to create a niche for myself in this space, and it was perfect as I love both children and designing.

Liz Jacob initially started as an exclusive hand-painted range of clothes and home décor. Today, the brand sources unique fabric prints and embellishments from across the world and creates products that stand for good quality, comfortable fits and extremely chic designs. I always try to understand the market need gap and develop products that are unique in some way or the other. For instance, I realized there were mostly mass manufactured designs available in the night clothes section for kids here in India. My hand-painted nightwear range tries to bring in some freshness to the category. I have created similar other exciting categories such as jacket-dresses, hand-painted crib sheets and jablas, which have all been well received by parents.

With a young child and a sick mother at home, there was very little spare time left for me to devote to the business, especially in the initial days. However, I told myself that even if it meant that I could take only baby steps everyday towards this goal, it would all amount to something substantial very soon. There have been significant challenges such as finding professional tailors who would provide a readymade finish and would adhere to timelines given, but I pressed on despite multiple disappointments. Also, as an entrepreneur, whatever money you make goes back into the business and you will miss having that spare cash or your corporate salary to indulge a bit. Continue reading →

Sacrifices have to be made in the beginning but once the business gains momentum, you will enjoy the ride. Today, I have many repeat customers and the journey has been very satisfying. When Moms write back to me with encouraging feedback after every purchase, I feel so happy that I chose this path. What’s more, I also get to spend a lot of time with my son. Do visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LizJacobDesigns to browse through my range.

http://lizjacobdesigns.blogspot.in/2013_07_01_archive.html

Posted in Mothercare | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Exclusive Offer for Mommyswall Readers by Photojaanic

Posted on November 29, 2013 by admin

MUGS

Hi Mommies,

Photojaanic offers beautiful personalized gifts for you and your loved ones. I personally like their mugs, greeting cards, stickers and key-chains with my daughter’s pictures on them. Im also eying their calender for 2014 with my daughters photos.

You can see their page for kids here.
Do checkout their page and use their exclusive offer for mommyswall readers by entering Coupon Code- MWFM.

Offer- Buy a standard mug and get a standard mug absolutely free
Validity-31st December 2013

Posted in Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Winter illnesses.

Posted on November 28, 2013 by reks

cold
Image Source: Sick baby
My son has just recovered from common cold & cough and it was quite a difficult week for him and me. Though it is very common and quick illness to catch during the weather change, it takes a while to actually go, leaving your child really troubled.

Here are a few common illnesses that your child could catch ….
– Cold and cough
– Tummy troubles leading to diarrhoea, vomitting etc
– Ear ache/infection
– Fever
– Sore throat

How to keep the germs at bay.. few precautions

– Wash hands regularly before and after food , after getting home from school/daycare, after play /outdoor activity
– Eat warm/hot food when eating out , avoid salads, cold food
– Drink water/fluids to stay hydrated
– Drink bottled water or carry boiled and cooled water from home
– Keep your house clean and dust free as far as possible, but ensure there is good ventilation always
– A few minutes of sunshine in the early morning
– Ensure the woolens are clean and smell free

So if your child still catches the so called common cold or cough , dont panic, just go by the doc’s prescription with an added dose of cuddles and care. Your child will slowly build his immune system and be ready to tackle illnesses in future.

Posted in Baby food, Babycare, Childcare, Toddler and Kids | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Silverware for Babies and Kids

Posted on November 28, 2013 by admin

Source

All of us Indians are very familiar with silverware, most of us have it at home but never use it. Even I was gifted a full set of silverware which included plates, glasses, spoons and pooja sets for my wedding but I never used them, as I thought it’s was too much of a luxury, remember the famous “born with the silver spoon” phrase.

When my daughter was born we again got a lot of gifts which included silverware. This time I wanted to use them as I’m convinced that my little one is the princess of my house. So I picked a really cute bowl and spoon to feed her cereals, the spoon had nice rounded edges so it did not hurt her. Here are some excellent benefits of using silver utensils for your kids:

  • It is the best antibiotic known to mankind (Shocked!! Im shocked too).
  • It heals wounds with its antimicrobial properties, some countries make bandages out of silver.
  • It destroys all germs, virus and bacteria. Olden days silver coins were added to a glass of unpasteurized milk and milk was fresh for days.
  • Builds immunity in children.
  • Used as filters in water purifiers (off course by the wealthy).
  • Silver was thrown into holy water near temples to purify the river during ancient times.
  • Silver spoons was used to detect poison, particularly in the Korean Joseon Dynasty: due to its reactivity, silver tarnishes on contact with sulfur, thus detecting the presence of arsenic sulfides and warning of arsenic poisoning.- Source Wikipedia

I think all of us mommies should give this a serious thought and use silverware once a day to feed our kids or give them water to drink in silver glasses. Silver is not as expensive as gold, I’m sure you all can afford some silverware if you don’t have it at home. Continue reading →

Silverware is available in jeweler shops, I even saw some at Mom and Me stores. Hope you liked the post.

Posted in Baby food, Baby utensils | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mompreneur of the Week – Shreeparvati from Sweet Talk

Posted on November 27, 2013 by admin

2013-11-27 11_51_32-Sweet Talk

Hello Mommies,
Im sorry for the delay in posting our mompreneur of the week. This week we have an inspiring mommy who loves baking. She works as a team manager for a reputed medical transcription company and also runs Sweet Talk. Sweet Talk is very popular for their cakes, cupcakes, macaroons, cheesecakes, tarts, jams, pickles and wines. do checkout their FB page here.

Some words from Shree:

Can you tell us about your business? What is it about?

Sweet Talk is the name of my small venture.  We initially ventured with cupcake.  The menu started with a simple melting moment cookie and has now grown to include cakes, tarts, desserts, preservative-free jams and pickles, etc.  It is about spreading happiness from our home to others.

Were there any obstacles that you faced when you decided to pursue becoming a mompreneur?

Oh Yes! Lots…and mainly from within me, which is the toughest to overcome.  Though my husband and family were supportive of me getting into baking and desserts, I was very skeptical about it.  Now, I am glad that they did push me hard.  I love doing what I am doing: balancing work, family and this small venture of mine.

What are three traits that you think a mompreneur should have when starting their own business?
  • Self-confidence.
  • Family support.
  • Understanding what the end requirement is — I would call it being sensitive.
Any unforgettable lesson that you learned as a Mompreneur?

The things I am doing now, I learn a lesson almost every day J, which might be unsettling for some time but then helps me grow and bounce back.  The most important one is, I guess, never to take things for granted and don’t ever think that the other person thinks the same way as you do.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was good with food, making and consuming it J.  My mother and husband were the ones who were the force behind me all the time.

What will readers find when they go there?

We do not have an outlet yet.  It is being marketed through social network and through word of mouth.  A potential customer will find home-made desserts, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, jams, pickles, wines, etc.

What’s your most popular feature?

The red chilli jam and the strawberry-gooseberry jam are my best sellers.

What do you love best about your job?

The feeling I get when someone bites into that cookie or cupcake and their faces burst out in a smile….the feeling when someone gets back to me on the pickle or the jam they tasted and could not resist putting it down on the table…that is what I love best.

Is entrepreneurship for everyone?

Continue reading →

Hmmm…it is for everyone who is ready to take a fall or two before they rise and get back on their feet and be ready to take another fall.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a mompreneur?

It is time management…I wonder whether my day actually has 24 hours at all!!!!

As a mompreneur, how does being a mom influence your work?

It does a lot…it was after being a Mom I got into this business.  I wanted to bake my daughter’s B’day cakes like my mother used to do ours.  Sometimes, it is really tough to give attention to a toddler who wants a bit of the buttercream iced on to her palm when I am concentrating on icing the cake but my daughter is a sport and takes it all in her stride like I do in mine and so it is somehow working out for us J.

Thankyou so much Shree for inspiring all of us.

You can contact her here:

https://www.facebook.com/sweet2talk

 

 

 

Posted in Mothercare | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Farlin Baby Shampoo Hat Review

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Jaishri

2013-11-15 18.16.362013-11-15 18.16.54

Does your baby cry every time he/she has a head bath? Mine surely does, otherwise she enjoys her regular bath. Only when the shampoo touches her hair she starts crying, I even tried tear free shampoos.
Finally I decided to buy a shampoo hat for her, I had head a lot about the Farlin one so I chose this brand and this time I made the right decision. This hat is big enough to cover the ears and the forehead preventing shampoo from entering the eyes or ears.

Its made of a soft fabric Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolyme which gets tighter when water touches the surface.

Pros:

  • It has a 4 position adjustable strap
  • Soft and easy to wear
  • Avoids water from entering eyes and ears.
  • Quite reasonably priced at Rs 395

Continue reading →

Cons:

My daughter easily pulls its off, you need to hold it or distract the kid with something else.

Otherwise a good product for your little one’s bathtime.

Rating: ****

Cons

Posted in Baby grooming, Baby Shopping, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Philips Avent Spout Cup Review

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Jaishri

2013-11-15 18.15.08

My baby has forgotten to drink out of a feeding bottle, so I had to try some other means to feed her liquids. When I browsed online Sipper or Spout cups was a great option I found. The handle makes it easy for the baby to hold and learn to drink from the bottle on her own.

Since I was using Philips Avent bottles and was satisfied with the quality, the same brand was my first choice. I always prefer BPA free Bottles.

Whats BPA?

Refers to materials and plastics that do not contain Bisphenol A.

The 250 ml bottle costed me 375.

Im not doing Pros and Cons for this product as Im not at all satisfied. Let me tell you why.

  • My daughter is still fed solids on my lap so when she drank water in between, the flap just fell on her nose and hurt her. How can such a reputed company not think of this.

2013-11-15 18.15.27

  • The Lid is very lose and needs to be held when the baby drinks from it.
  • The bottle is bulky and short, its difficult to hold, and with the handle makes holding even worse.

Continue reading →

  • They claim it’s a no leak no spill bottle, but the bottle leaks badly when kept in horizontal position and the portion in between the straw and lid gets filled with liquid. You can expect a splash once you open the lid.

Its sad that a company as reputed as Philips can make such products, Im never going to select product based on brands next time.

Posted in Baby gear, Babycare | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments