Pregnancy, Parenting and Beyond

Its all over the internet... and among the mom's. A new programmable electric pressure cooker for safe and convenient cooking. With its delayed start function, stainless steel interior for healthy and nutritious cooking and energy efficient, I couldn't resist the urge to jump on the IP bandwagon. So here goes... Ordered it on black friday and still awaiting delivery.... What do I do in the mean time....Learn the basic functioning...  Try to get a hold on recipes... and Share the word among my friends for the same. A great review and awesome video for beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6-6nnbLJmM Getting to know your instant pot ~courtesy IP Youtube Click here if you need a video to follow for the Water Test. If you are a member on Facebook...there are several groups for Instant pot cooking and Instant pot for indian cooking where the members are very helpful with tips, recipes, reviews and more. If you are a member of Amazon Kindle...you dont need a Kindle...

2 cups Rice. (long grain basmati) 4 cups water/broth 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds 5-7 peppercorns 1in stick of Cinnamon 2 green cardamoms 1 bay leaf 1 large pinch of Turmeric powder for color 2 tbsp of butter or olive oil Let the spices fry in the oil for a little bit. Add the Washed Rice to the pan and keep stirring adding 1 cup of water/ broth at a time. Once all the water is added, and is boiling. Cover with lid and lower the heat and cook for 13-14 mins. Garnish with dried mint or cilantro. Optional Garnish of Fried Onion/Cashew nuts/ Raisins. Serve as side dish with meat/fish or with Dal/lentil soup.

Ideas for Bento Box laptop lunches Healthy School Lunch Snacks 10 Lunch Ideas

Meal Plan for a Week. 　 Monday Breakfast: 3/4 cup bran flakes, any one fruit like apple or banana, 1 cup fat-free milk. Lunch : Replace white carbohydrates like rice, bread, potato or pasta with whole wheat bread or chapati, 1 piece of cheese, chicken, 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise, and salad greens or fruit. Dinner: Fish, steamed broccoli, grated cheese and fat free ice cream. Tip : Make sure to eliminate high carbohydrate foods and include fruits, vegetables and high protein food. Eating food in smaller portions rather than one big meal will be beneficial. Tuesday Start your day with a table spoon of lemon juice mixed with honey. Breakfast : Cereal with fat free milk. Lunch: 2 chapatis or a small bowl of rice with vegetables. Snack : Oat meal biscuits with tea (Try green tea, which is highly recommended for weight loss and health.) Dinner : Light dinner of salad or whole wheat bread sandwich. Tip : You can follow an easy diet plan in the following line. You are fr...

4 Power-Food Pairings for Kid s Strawberries and Whole Wheat Toast The vitamin C in strawberries converts the iron in whole wheat bread to a form that cells can absorb. Oatmeal and Milk The magnesium in oats increases the amount of calcium your child gets from the milk by keeping it from binding to fiber and other nutrients. Olive Oil and Veggies Spritz spinach, green peppers, squash, and dark greens with olive oil. This healthy fat helps your child absorb the veggies' antioxidants. Chicken and Carrots Don't save chicken soup for sick days -- and always include carrots. The zinc in chicken helps the body metabolize the carrots' vitamin A.  Originally published in the October 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

Try out some great recipes for your growing Toddler... Smashed Sweet potatoes with Cinnamon   Yummy and filling! Potato Pancakes    OMG! Who doesn't love pacakes, right... Serve with boiled baby carrots or florets of cauliflower/broccoli. Broccoli-Cheddar Cheese Nuggets   ooee..gooey..cheesy...Yum! Potato and Carrot mash with Salmon   Salmon is the best source of essential fatty acids.

No Cooking required. Unsuitable for freezing. AVOCADO Great source of Vitamin E and Boosts the immune system. Cut in half. Remove the pit. Scoop the Flesh. Mash. Serve plain or with breast/formula milk. BANANA Provide energy, treats diarrhea and constipation. Make sure its Ripe. Mash with a fork. Initially mix with milk to provide a familiar taste. PAPAYA Contains Papain - an enzyme that breaks down protein.helps to boost digestion as well as improve indigestion. Rich in Vit C. Provides soluble Fiber - important for normal bowel function. Peel. Remove the black seeds. Puree or Mash the flesh until smooth. The above 3 may be combined as well. The list below are suitable for Freezing. CARROT PUREE Carrots are more nutritious when cooked with a little fat. A dab of unsalted butter may be used. Cook the carrots until soft. Puree to the desired consistency. APPLES OR PEARS Good to offer to babies if babies has loose stools. Chop and pu into a sauce-pan. Add a little...