Hi lovely readers, First of all we thank you for accepting the Bumps n Baby magazine with arms wide open. It is your feedbacks, encouragements and support that provide us with the much-needed fuel to drive forward and bring in more and more reader friendly initiatives. Monsoon is here and so is our 2nd edition of the Bumps n Baby Magazine. A cup of hot coffee with some healthy snacks to munch on and the BnB magazine to read will make the perfect combo for the rainy days. This time also we have kept in mind all your needs and interest and have come out with an engaging and informative magazine. This edition is Monsoon special. You can read everything about monsoon care and make this monsoon season a healthy and enjoyable one. We value your feedbacks. Write to us at admin@bumpsnbaby.com with your queries and suggestions and the topics you would like to read in Bumps n Baby. Happy parenting. With love, Team BumpsnBaby Copyright@ BumpsnBaby Cover design by Srikant Agasti Magazine layout, design and article editing by Anumol K.A DISCLAIMER: All the contents in this magazine, including advice from doctors and other professionals, should be considered as opinion only. All content provided in this magazine is for informational purposes only.
July –August 2015
July –August 2015
not similar to any of your dear and near
Mommy and the milestones!!! First
time
mothers..
Does
the
ones.
term
milestones ring a bell?
everything is alright. To which he says,”
Even before the baby is born the tech savvy new generation moms have subscribed to pregnancy news letter describing week by week fetal development and of course checking with your doc if anything is missed. You complete your 9 long months by comparing
your
pregnancy
with
the
pregnancy newsletters that fill your inbox and ofcourse comparing yourself with other to-be-moms or moms. And you are stressed out and worried through out your pregnancy phase when you know that your pregancy is
1 |July – August 2015 1
You keep on asking your gynaec whether Every pregnancy is different, no need to worry”. Finally when the little bundle of joy comes into this world , you heave a sigh of relief!! All is well... !! :-) Nah…
But
the
newsletters
you
have
subscribed to don't just leave u!! Here begins the story of mommy and the milestones.
Difference
being
the
gynaecologist has now been replaced by a paedaetrician.
Initially it's a week by week monitoring that
newsletters, blogs etc ( please note the past
most of us do. Although all of us are well
tense there. ) and used to compare my baby
read and definitely know that “every child
with the milestone charts they provide.
is different ", but yet don't think most us can stop reading these milestone journals
And to make things worse for me, we had a
and get back to the doc saying ,”She doesn't
neighbour who has a baby a month older to
turn yet or she doesn't crawl yet.”
Tishya. The milestones haunt you even more when you have a kid in the same age group
And yes panic strikes again when the doc
around you! So to be on the practical side, it
asks " does she do xyz things on her own"
wasn’t just me but the entire social circle
oh no ..
comparing my daughter’s milestones with the neighbour kid being the milestone.
This is your story as well as mine. Am sure. Let me share my experience with my
So occasionally rather at every milestone
daughter.
that he met, I would get a friendly advice that “oh she would now start sitting in
Tishya she is 16 months old now. And yes I
‘ANOTHER MONTH’ or she would now
am those totally geek freak working mothers
start walking in ‘ANOTHER MONTH’ as
who had subscribed to N number of
the neighbours kid had already done it”
[Type text]
[Type text]
[Type text]
I tried my best to keep myself away from
let them take their own time and learn.
these, but then Mommy and the milestones
Encourage them but do not scare them.
are inseparable.
Worry only when they stop enjoying what they are doing. Evolution is the key to
Tishya started turning on her sides around
success here.
2 months, turning on her back at 3.5 months .and then lifting her head up around the
Every milestone that your child reaches,
same time., sitting unsupported around 8
ensure that you capture that moment and
months and walking supported around a
thus cherish them for a lifetime.
year and recently she has started walking all by herself. Yes she did reach her milestones
This mommy has given up on the milestone
inspite of my worries.
hits and started concentration on the journey.
The best advice that I can give from my experience is that forget the milestones and
Lets hope each of us have a happy journey
enjoy the journey. Your bundle of joy might
and enjoy it so much that milestones are
walk a little late or talk a little late. They
forgotten
have to do that for the rest of their journey,
33 |July – August 2015
- Saumya Ajaykumar
My son has just started his preschools. It is never too early to read a book to your But he started to notice and identify the
baby. It applies to alphabets too. You can
alphabet before his preschool and can recite
introduce letter through reading alphabet
ABCs.
books, storybooks, blocks etc. Some kids may
Kids begin to recognize letters between the ages of 2 to 3. Letters are the first things every parent wants to teach their kids.
show interest in learning these from a very young age and some will not until they are 34 years old. Asking you what letter it is pointing out the letters, recognizing it by their own are the
Teaching the alphabet is the foundation of
sign your little ones might be ready to learn
reading and writing.
the alphabets.
When to start teaching your child
As parents we should start encouraging and
letters?
give amble opportunities to our toddlers to learn about letters.
4| July – August 2015
How to introduce alphabets to your little one? There are lots of fun and creative ways to introduce alphabets to your child. Little ones learn through playing and fun activities. Choose the ways in which your child loves to learn the alphabets. Singing nursery rhymes Singing the alphabets songs to your little one helps them to learn in a fun way. Before they can identify the letters they should be familiar with the phonetics or the alphabet sounds. Singing alphabet nursery rhymes helps in this. Alphabet books Picture books/ board books about alphabets and pictures of things starting with each letter can be given to your kids from an early age. Try to point out the letters and read the words loud and clear and also spell them while you read pointing to each letter. Alphabets Cookies Alphabetical shaped cookies/biscuits, cheerios and other edibles are available in market or you can bake/make one at home itself.
Pointing out letters Pointing out and reading aloud the letters on car plates, advertisement boards, on dress;
This is a fun way to introduce letters and also
pretty much on everything that has letters on
a way to make little ones have a snack or
it. This is helps them to identify letters easily.
breakfast.
5 | July – August 2015
Coloring the letters
Do not force your kids if they are not
Help them to color the letters in books, which
interested in learning alphabets.
is the yet another good way to introduce them to letters. Alphabets in your kid’s room Hanging out ABCs cut out shapes, decorating your little ones room with stickers and
Each child has his own pace when it comes to learning anything new. Most of the kids will master reading and writing alphabets by the age of 4-5. Happy teaching.
posters with ABC’s etc will give more exposure to alphabets and develop an interest in learning the same. Videos teaching Alphabet There are video/CDs available with alphabet songs and the introduction to phonetics. As kids are getting a great visual treat through video they will pick up alphabet in an easier way like this. Magnetic Letters Magnets in the form of letters are available. These can be placed on the whiteboard or refrigerator. It is fun to put all the letters together; magnetic letters are best toy for kids to learn the letters. Alphabet blocks and mats Alphabet blocks and mats are available in almost all toy stores. These are a great way
Fun ways to introduce ABCs to your toddler/preschooler Singing nursery rhymes Alphabet books Alphabets Cookies Pointing out letters Coloring the letters Alphabets in your kid’s room Videos teaching Alphabet Magnetic Letters
to teach kids about letters. Play games with these blocks or on these mats. Read aloud the letters, ask them to pick up a particular letter or encourage them to identify the letters.
6 | July – August 2015
Alphabet blocks and mats
Rains
bring a big relief from the
Some points to help prevent occurrence of
scorching summer heat. But along with it,
these rain borne diseases in babies and kids
rains bring a risk of infections and diseases.
are given below.
To make the parents more worried, babies
PERSONAL HYGIENE
and toddlers are more prone to these infections.
Hygiene is the utmost important aspect to be taken care of during the rains.
Monsoon care for babies and kids is very important to prevent any health issues and diseases during rains.
Keep the child and the premises clean. Give bath to the child daily and wipe them at regular intervals.
To prevent the babies and toddlers from contracting any infections or diseases during the rains, its important to know why the rainy season is so much disease and infection prone. The reason is that during the rains the weather is moist and humid. This is a perfect conducive environment for the bacteria and the viruses to grow and thrive.
Make sure you wash your hands and your babies hands before and after meals and when you change nappies. Cut nails to prevent dirt accumulation. If you have a house help , its advisable that they wash their hands and feet before any contact with the child. WATER LOGGING Ensure that there isn’t too much of water
Also lack of sunlight further adds to the multiplication of these rain borne infection carriers.
7 |July –August 2015
logging in your premises. Stagnant water is the source of most rain borne diseases. Also mosquitoes breed on stagnant waters so
clear
out
stagnant
water
from
your
premises.If you have potted plants at home , ensure that is no water logging in them. Use a disinfectant around your house. Protect your little one from mosquitoes with the help of repellants or by putting wire meshes on your windows. DRINKING WATER
CLOTHING Rainy season is very humid and can get cold as well. Ensure you keep the clothes dry all the time. Wear clothing such that they are protected from mosquitoes. Keep a jacket handy as well since its cold even in indoors. Also invest in a good footwear. Keep the feet of the kids clean since that is the way germs
Take utmost care that you give only boiled
will enter your household ( applicable to
water to the kids during the rains. Water
adults as well)
borne diseases are at peak this season. Ensure you carry your own water whenever you go out. FOOD Like water, food contamination is also very rampant in the rains. Avoid outside food as much as possible. For kids ensure you give them homemade and warm food.
SKIN RELATED ISSUES Due to the moist and humid conditions there are lots of fungal and bacterial infections that babies are infected with. Keeping the child dry is very important. Use a talc to absorb the moisture. Also wipe clean the child time to time so that the infection won’t spread. MOSQUITOES Keep the mosquitoes at bay. Use a good mosquito repellent. Close the windows during evening time so that there is no inlet for mosquitoes. Keep the rooms well ventilated. Ensure there is no stagnant water around. If you have indoor plants, change the water on a regular basis. Hope the points above help you keep your little one safe during monsoons.
8 |July –August 2015
Monsoon is here and it is raining cats and dogs. Most of the time you are indoors due to heavy rains. So is your toddler/kid. You don’t want them to be out in the rains where there is a high risk of them catching an infection or fever. The rhyme that my 2 year old keeps singing these days is ‘Rain Rain go away. Come again another day. Little baby wants to play…rain rain go away…’ Your little one,like mine, may be getting bored sitting inside the house most of the time. Are you looking out for ways and means to keep your toddler/kids busy indoors? Here is 10 fun activities to do indoors during the rains to keep your little one engaged. 9 | July – August 2015
#1. WATER PLAY ! With the rains pouring outside, don’t you think its difficult to divert your toddler from not playing in the water? Setting up an alternate water play works with toddlers. Collect some rain water in a tub or a bucket. Make paper boats out of newspapers and float them in the water. Or make holes in a bucket/mug and pour water through it. A mini rain shower is ready for your kids to play with. Never leave kids under 4 years unattended near water. So this fun game should be played strictly under adult supervision only.
#2. CARD OR BOARD GAMES Rains are the best time to get the card and the board games outside. For the younger lot , the alphabet , fruit , animal cards works the best. You don’t have to go by the rules. You can just ask them to arrange and rearrange the cards into different designs and layouts.
#3. PRETEND AND PLAY Pretend that it’s a rainning inside your house as well. The raincoats and the umbrellas can be used inside and you can very well set up a rainy day inside the house!! It will be fun for the kids to pretend play a rainy day.
10 | July – August 2015
#4. MOVIE TIME Heavy rains outside can keep you under house arrest for long. You can plan a movie time with your kids. Arrange some popcorns or snacks and enjoy the time with your little one.
#5. KITCHEN AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD CHORES ASSISTANT Kids love helping you with the kitchen and household. What better way to keep them busy indoors. Let them play the role of your assistant in everything you do, be it cleaning ,cooking , dusting etc. Reward them with a favourite treat or a movie for the help they have done.
#6. ART AND CRAFT Involve your kids in some art and craft. For example get ready for festivals like Diwali or Chrismas. Make them do a card for birthday or just paint something that they want to. For the younger ensure that this is done under supervision.
#7. STORY TIME Indulge in some story telling and some story book reading for the older kids or for the younger lot , board books and picture books. Lying on the bed with a book is something that all of us like to do on a rainy day so why not enjoy the company of your toddler while doing so.
11 | July – August 2015
#8.PARTY TIME Have an inhouse party with your kid and some friends. Do we need to find a reason to party. Indoor party is a great way to have fun indoors. You can celebrate the birthday of her favourite doll or a wedding indoors. Some music and dance with healthy yummy snacks can add to the fun. Choose your neighbour’s kids as guests so that you don’t need to pick or drop the kids.
#9. BAKING Try your hand at baking a small cake or cupcakes or cookies. Kids absolutely love getting involved in these activities. You could make them decorate the cookies and the cake with chocolates or icing the way they want and present it to the family during dinner.
#10. SCHOOL AT HOME Set up your living room as a classroom and you pretend to be a student and your child a teacher. It is fun listening to your child teach you poems and alphabets.
So this rains, its not going to be “rain rain go away..,”, but definitely “rain rain come again… mom and baby want some indoor masti ..!!!“…
12 | July – August 2015
Motherhood is one of the prestigious blessings to the women from God. It is very important for the moms and expected moms to take care of themselves during rainy season. As the monsoon has arrived, women should take additional care during rainy season. Moms turn out to be extra busy taking monsoon special care of their kids and family, most of the time neglecting their own health. So ladies, it’s time to take care of you also. Mommies and would be ones should keep few of the following things in mind to stay healthy and comfortable during rainy season. WATCH YOUR FOOD It is generally very important to include nutritional food to your diet. But this is the time to take additional precautions regarding your food habits.
13
| July – August 2015
Include whole grains, cereals and sprouts in your diet. This will improve your digestive health. Include ginger, garlic to your regular diet as they boost your immunity. Avoid eating raw vegetables as salads, as they may be contaminated with bacteria or insects larvae/eggs due to moist weather. Prefer freshly cooked food to keep risk of infections at bay. Avoid some kinds of fishes like shark, tile fish due to their high mercury level and possible bacterial contamination. You can include Salmon, oysters, crab and other low mercury seafood. Cook the meat properly to destroy microbes present in it. Stay well hydrated during monsoon to help in smooth digestion. Pregnant mothers should drink at least 3-4 liters of water to maintain good level of amniotic fluid in pregnant woman.
If you love eating street food, resist yourself from eating roadside food during this season due to possible risk factors attributable to unhygienic conditions. CLOTHES Increased humidity and fluctuating temperature cause much sweating during rainy season. So it is very necessary to wear right clothes for the season. Prefer wearing cotton clothes to stay away from any skin allergies. Pregnant mothers should choose loose cotton clothes that allow the comfortable space for free baby movements and unrestricted blood flow. Wearing full sleeve clothes help to keep you safe from mosquito biting which is a
Pregnant mothers should not step out unnecessarily because of possible risks of skidding. If they wear socks at home, they should choose to wear the socks that are comfortable and not slippery. Keep your homes clean using disinfectant everyday. Apply anti bacterial and anti fungal powder after bath to keep your skin free from any infection. Don’t keep your make-up products in bathrooms as humidity in bathroom tends to make your products contaminated with fungus. Thus, it is better to store these products in dry place to be on safe grounds. You are more prone to the skin infection and urine infections during this season due to various reasons like unhygienic conditions, high humidity etc. So try to keep your body clean and dry by taking hot water bath daily twice a day. Keep your genital area clean and dry. Maintain personal hygiene by cleaning genital area with soap and wiping it to dry. Wash your hair regularly to stay protected from scalp fungal infection.
common complaint during rainy season. MAINTAIN HYGIENE Rainy season is the season for the growth of fungi, bacteria owing to damp weather. Don’t step barefoot. Get yourself a pair of comfortable foot ware. 14 | July – August 2015
Keep your nails trimmed, as there are high chances of contamination during monsoon. Hope this article helps you to stay fit during this season. So all beautiful mothers there let your hair down to enjoy monsoon.
Much waited rainy days have arrived.
But wait before you step out to
Now as soon as rain falls, kids would
appreciate this beautiful weather. First
run out for rain dance and mommies
gear up yourself for health precautions
would stand at their balconies with a
as the monsoon arrives with the huge
cup of steaming hot tea, taking fresh
box of different infections and diseases
earthy
due to its cloudy and watery nature!!
scent
enjoying
the
rain
splashing on their face and watch their little ones dancing and jumping out
Water
there.
conditions during rainy season support
stagnation
and
unhygienic
the growth of many insects and Everyone loves to wake up in pleasant
microbes that can cause number of
rainy day hearing relaxing rain sound
diseases.
in back ground along with pitter patter of rain drops on your glass windows.
Here I would like to update you with the various infections and diseases and
15 |July – August 2015
the precautions you can take to stay
characterized by high fever, severe
away from them.
joint pain mainly in the arms and legs, muscle pain, back pain and skin
#1. MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASES
rashes. Prevention of mosquito borne
Mosquitoes grow in stagnant water
diseases
and thus get the ideal situation for
Ways to protect yourselves from
breeding
during
mosquito bite
Water
stagnation
monsoon
season.
refers
to
accumulation of water due to leakage,
Don’t allow water stagnation in
unattended water in coolers, open
or around your houses. If there
sewage and dirty water, open water
is stagnant water in or around
storage
your home, pour a layer of
etc.
kerosene over the water. This will prevent mosquito breeding. Apply mosquito repellent cream while
outdoors
to
prevent
mosquito-bite. Get protection from mosquito bites by wearing full sleeve Malaria: This is the most common mosquito borne disease. Symptoms of this disease are fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Dengue fever: The virus carried by tiger mosquito causes dengue fever. Its symptoms are high fever and severe headache, with severe pain behind the eyes that is apparent when trying to move the eyes. Chikungunya: This disease is spread by the virus carries by an infected female Aedes species mosquito. It is 16 |July – August 2015
clothes,
being
extra
careful
during peak hours of mosquito biting. Use mosquito nets. To install mosquito nets on windows is a good idea to keep those little creatures
outside
and
keep
indoor cool. #2. COMMON FOOD AND WATER BORNE DISEASES DURING MONSOON During other seasons, we find less number of flies due to effect of ultra
violet rays emitting from sun but muggy weather during rainy days
Rotavirus
support
common disease in babies below 5,
growth
of
insects
like
houseflies.
diarrhea: It
is very
especially in teething babies. This disease gets severe during rainy season
Flies lay eggs and contaminate water
due to low immunity in children,
and food, which increases the chances
change in temperature and water
of occurrence of food and water borne
content in air. The symptoms of this
diseases.
disease
are
diarrhea
with
fever,
stomach pain, vomiting. Typhoid: bacterial
This
is
disease
very
common
spread
by
contaminated water and food. This disease is characterized by fever, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain, loss of appetite, small pink rashes. Prevention of food and water borne diseases Cholera: This is also a bacterial disease spread through contaminated water and food. Signs of cholera are profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. Leptospirosis: Accumulation of dirty water on the roads and forceful use of those roads by pedestrians during rainy season has increased the cause of leptospirosis disease. This disease also spread through drinking contaminated water and open wound/cut in the body coming into contact with dirty water. This is bacterial disease that is marked by chills, intense headache, muscle ache, abdominal pain, redness in eye and occasionally a skin rash. 17|July – August 2015
To stay away from water and food borne diseases, following precautions should be taken: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating food or feeding babies. Wash vegetables and fruits in vinegar or with baking soda solution to reduce the level of insecticides. Avoid eating raw food like salad or wash them intensively before eating as it may contain insect eggs that are very small to be visible. Attend
open
cuts/wounds
properly such that it doesn’t
prevent
fungus
growth.
2. Stomach infection: It occurs due to bacteria/ virus. Causes of transmission are eating out, unhygienic conditions, eating food with unwashed hands. It may be also result of food poisoning. Rigorous cleaning of raw food, come into contact with dirty
proper cooking methods and washing hands before eating
water. Avoid eating out. If you are forced to eat out prefer standard places to eat and have hot and fresh food only. Keep Rotavirus vaccine in your babies vaccination schedule (for babies less than two month)..
growth is the most common during
Tips to stay healthy and safe during monsoon. As mentioned above, Fungus growth is very common during days
due
to
moist
weather. To prevent fungus
infections: Fungus
complaint
acquiring stomach infection.
rainy
#3. OTHER INFECTIONS 1. Fungal
can reduce the chances of
monsoon.
This season suits the best for
growth, keep your home germfree with disinfectant. Don’t allow water stagnation in or nearby you home.
the growth of fungus, which
Look for water seepage on walls
occurs
or
in
dark
and
damp
ceilings
and
attend
the
weather. Fungal infections are
problems as soon as possible.
marked
and
Dirty smell and fungus infection
severe itching, allergies, skin
in clothes is another issue
rashes.
keep
during rainy days. To keep your
surroundings clean and dry to
clothes fungus free wash them
by
continuous
We
should
top to bottom and iron the 18 |July – August 2015
clothes before storing. Heat will
fungus. Thus, it is better to store
kill fungal spores if any.
these products in dry place to be
Get
a
few
packets
of
on safe grounds.
naphthalene balls and place
Keep your genital area clean
them in cupboards where you
and
store clothes, in kitchen sinks
hygiene by cleaning genital area
and washbasins.
with soap and wiping it dry.
Don’t step into water puddles. If
Fungal infection may result in
you have to forcefully do that,
scalp itching and scratching.
clean yourself thoroughly after
Take extra care for your hair
getting wet.
and scalp. Wash your hair
Ride your vehicle being extra
regularly.
careful, as there are chances of
Along
skidding due to slippery roads.
hygiene, do regular exercise and
Use the soap/body wash which
include ginger, garlic and tulsi
complement your skin. It is best
in your food to stay active and
to use medicated soaps this
healthy with raised immunity
season.
during
dry. Maintain
with
personal
maintaining
this
season.
Remove wet, dirty clothing as soon as you reach home. Take hot water bath twice daily and wipe the body with clean towel to keep yourself clean and dry. Apply anti bacterial and anti fungal powder after bath to keep your skin free from any infection. Keep your bathroom clean and dry. Some ladies have a habit of keeping the make-up products in bathroom. The humidity in bathroom tends to make your products
contaminated
19|July – August 2015
with
Have a healthy and happy monsoon.
Now,
get
some
colorful umbrellas and enjoy monsoon. - Riddhi Nath
Organic is trending these days! Healthy
Well, a vegetable garden is still possible
living is something that all of us look out
your own kitchen garden even in the window
for.And this is true for our kids as well.
of your apartment.
With a lot of news reports revolving around
“I am working parent. Do you think we have
adulteration of food, you can’t rely on
the time to take care of the plants.” – Your
anything these days. Even the ones sold
next excuse to put off the gardening idea.
insipte of the space constraints. You can have
branded as organic, you got to be careful to check the authenticity! It is high time to think about what is the safest way to feed our little ones. So what is the alternative for this? Make your own food. Grow a kitchen garden!! Is that even possible? It’s not impossible and definitely worth a try. “We stay in a flat in a metro. We don’t even have a terrace or a balcony.”- This will be the first thought that crossed your mind on mentioning about kitchen garden. Isn’t it?
20|July-August 2015
As a working parent myself I can asure you that it takes minimum effort to maintain a garden. If you have kept some flowering plants in and around your house , this is just the same! Infact even lesser effort.Give it a try.
Here are few tips to grow your own vegetable
#6. Insect or pest control: Its important
garden.
to keep the veggies germ and insect free.
The basic essentials to start a kitchen garden
#1. Pots or containers: You could use the mud pots available at nurseries or plastic pots or even old buckets or containers. Grow bags especially made for growing plants are also available at nurseries. Use plastic plates under the pots to avoid water from draining out especially if you set this up at the window. #2. Seeds: Seedlings are easily available at various nurseries. The people at nurseries can also guide you on the right season to sow a seed. #3. Soil: Soil should be of good quality and should retain moisture. Again the nurseries play guide to choose the right type of soil and also provide the compost needed.You can use your kitchen waste as an organic compost. #4. Water: Plants need watering regularly. Excessive watering is also considered bad. Depending upon the season choose to water the plants. #5.
Sunlight:
Choose an area where
sunlight is good.However ensure that the plants are not under direct sunlight for a long period
especially
in
terraces.Moderate
sunlight is good for germination . 21 |July-August 2015
Water boiled with neem leaves can be sprayed to keep insects at bay.
How
to
do
kitchen/vegetable
gardening? Once you have the raw materials its fairly simple. Sow the seeds, water them regularly. During the germination phase ensure that you just sprinkle the water.Direct pouring of water may result in the seedlings to get damaged. Also do not over expose to sunlight. Monitor the seeds on a daily basis to check if there is any kind of insect attack. Patience is the key here. Be patient. Every seed takes some time to germinate. It dependant on a number of factors like the weather , water , quality of seed and soil , sunlight etc.
What vegetables to try first for a kitchen garden? You can begin with, some veggies that have less maintenance. From my experience tomatoes, brinjal, ladies finger,
cucumbers,
coriander,
spinach,
fenugreek ,chillies and curry leaves doesn’t require much. For a beginner in kitchen gardening I will recommend to try these out first. And most of them are what you use in day in day cooking. 22 |July-August 2015
The
benefits
of
having
a
kitchen
garden The most important benefit of having a vegetable garden is that you can eat pesticide free vegetables. Use natural fertilizers and grow chemical free fruits and veggies. This is the best thing you can do for your kids. You always have a fresh supply of vegetables at your reach. Fresh organic vegetables are more tasty. Fun of having your own veggies. Sense of
Having your own self sufficient garden will take additional effort and time. First try this out for a simple kitchen garden and then you can make a full time garden for your kitchen needs. Most people give up thinking that the plants aren’t growing well. Well it takes some time to sprout and then give fruits. Also ensure that you pick up the right seed for the right season. People at your local nursery can help you here. Also not all seeds that you sow shall sprout. So patience is the key here!
pride. Oh yes you have grown your own veggies!! Trust me this is fun. Till date kids have been eating what you cook. Now they can even eat what you have grown. Kids can see this process and take up interest in the same. Gardening is a great hobby to cultivate and one of the best things you can tech your kids You don’t have to pay very high prices to buy organic vegetables from the market. You can get it for free from your own kitchen garden. Your only investment is a little time and effort. When you grow your own food, you grow your own money.
Honestly, this is worth giving a try. You have minimum investment and there is nothing to loose. Also you enjoy and have some fun with a trial at gardening and at the end harvest pesticide free, organic vegetables. Hope this helps more people to grow a vegetable garden and live healthy!!
23 |July-August 2015
Anjana Jins
Come
the season of festivals and the
splash is seen almost everywhere. Be it the city malls all dressed up in its majestic look, the colorful newspaper advertisements with splendid offers, the flashy streets, the attractive shamianas in the nooks and corners, school activities, spring cleaning or renovation at your place, shopping spree, pulling out the fineries and finally lamenting on your burning pockets – all are green signals of celebration time. Growing up in a nuclear family didn’t leave me out of the traditional values and the importance of celebrating various festivals. As a matter of fact, it was only during festivals we were given the luxury of goodies and gifts. We had a structured way to commemorate these special days. It was not like an everyday affair. Similarly, in the current techno aid era, we will never want our kids to lose on this rich heritage of culture and beautiful traditions which are slowly and gradually fading out with the influence of western ethnicity and yes of course, blame the busy schedule wherein both parents are working and even children are busier considering their age with the amount of classes and activities they are so deeply and devotedly involved in.
24 24| July – August 2015
Are we trailing upon our Indian culture and forgetting these beautiful rites and rituals for which our land is so popularly known around the world? With the cream education and strong media exposure, I am not declaring our children to be completely naïve rather they are more equipped when it comes to awareness and general knowledge. The world is a small place now and with the increase in communication connectivity people instantly know the various changes that takes around almost every day. But our fast lives and a decrease in personal touch, festivals have become more of days to relax at home or go for a holiday to faraway place that is hardly human bound. It is said that children are our better extensions. They bloom if we fertilize them daily. So, we as parents should take up the responsibility to make them understand the true essence of celebrating various festivals in its traditional manner. Navratri, should never mean just going to the beauty parlors, shopping for the 9-day attire,
late night hang out with friends, taking pictures, eating and dancing around to impress the opposite gender. Teach them the sanctity of this beautiful festival of fervor, the worshipping powerful Goddess Durga and her 9 incarnations.
and become role models for our children during the festive season. -Narrate fascinating stories from your childhood and the ways you celebrated different festivals along with your relatives and friends. -Read out stories behind every festival and promote the emotions and feelings behind them. -Teach your kids to pray on regular basis in order to be always connected to their religion and more importantly to make them learn the supreme power of divinity.
-Take them to temples, churches, synagogues and mosques so that they understand the imperativeness of different religions and associated sentiments. This doesn’t mean taking on pilgrim trips but a balance of both fun and devotion does the trick. -Encourage them to wear traditional attires on the festival days. Let them know the beauty of these dresses so that they respect and love their age old culture and customs. Christmas doesn’t mean just decorating Christmas trees, cribs, hanging stockings, waiting for gifts, gorging on cakes, drinking wine and wearing your best dress out. It is a season of love, sharing, helping the needy and regular prayer. Ramadan should never be a time to show your cooking skills or gorge on the iftar delicacies. It is the month of scarifies and helping. Teach your children the value of empathy and scarifies. Tips to create awareness amongst our children about festivals and its traditional celebration – -We all know “Charity begins at home” so create a holy environment right at your place 25 | July – August 2015
-Make them eat the yummy delicacies and teach the significance of these dishes. -Many festival related shows are aired on TV, develop an interest in the little ones to watch and learn. Have interactive sessions with them. -Never strictly force them to do follow any particular tradition with sharp words, on the contrary, instill feelings and warmth in them so that they enjoy following their rich civilization. -Last but not the least; love your kids because love itself creates magical moments in our lives.
Ingredients Rice – handful (ponni/basmati) Milk - 4 cups Sugar – 1 cup Ghee – 1 tbs.
Instructions 1. Wash the rice. 2. Heat ghee in the pressure cooker. Sauté the rice in it. 3. Add milk and sugar. Stir well for few seconds. 4. Bring it to boil and close the pressure cooker. 5. Once the steam comes keep the weight. 6. Keep the flame low and cook for 10 minutes. 7. Switch off the flame and open it after 30 minutes.
Notes: Adjust the sugar as per your requirement. This is the correct ratio, but if you think it’s too sweet for you, adjust it accordingly the next time you prepare it. You may add condensed milk also to it though it’s ideally not required. This tastes best when served cold.
26 | July- August 2015
Ingredients Fresh pineapple- 2 cups Jaggery (grated)-1-2 tb spoon Chilly pd-1 tsp Turmeric-1/2tsp Beaten yogurt-1cup Salt – as reqd Grated coconut-1 cup Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp Oil-1 tbsp. Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp Dry red chillies-3-4 nos Curry leaves- a sprig
Instructions 1. Cook diced pineapple along with jaggery, chilly powder and turmeric powder in ½ cup of water. 2. Cook for about 20 minutes or till the water is completely absorbed. Let it cool down. 3. Coarsely grind the pineapple. (Please note the desired texture here is chewable bits and not pureed pineapple). Keep it aside. 4. Grind coconut and cumin with a little water and make it into a fine paste. 5. Add this to the coarsely grinded pineapple and cook till the raw taste of coconut is gone. 6. Add beaten yogurt to it and add salt finally. To avoid curdling, keep the flame low once curd is added. 7. Add the tempering using oil, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Notes: You could also use pineapple chunks available in stores. But the fresh pineapple tastes much better. In few parts of Kerala the pachadi mixture has mustard seeds also grinded along with coconut. I personally do not like flavor of mustard seeds and hence omitted the same. But for all other pachadis it’s a must ingredient. -Roshni Ann Mathew
27 | July- August 2015
INGREDIENTS Banana (over ripe) -2 nos Eggs- 4 nos Powdered sugar- 7-8 tbsp. Butter (unsalted) –to grease the pan Cardamom pods-2-3 INSTRUCTIONS 1. Blend all the ingredients to a fine puree. 2. Grease a saucepan or a nonstick pan. 3. Pour the blended puree into the pan and keep it on lowest flame. 4. Keep for 45 to 50 minutes or till a knife inserted comes out clean. Do not increase the flame else the bottom will get burned. 5. Switch off the flame and let it cool down for about 15 minutes. 6. Cut into squares and serve. 7. You can garnish with fried raisins if you want. 28| July – August 2015
Meet the mompreneur of the Month, Mridula Arora, owner of MyBabyCart. Read on to find out about her inspirational journey....
What/Who was the inspiration behind MyBabyCart? A little about MBC MyBabyCart started in 2012, after my son was born. I realized not many ecommerce websites were offering good baby products so thought of starting MyBabyCart.com. MBC has always stood for 1-thing,
As
good products for baby and kids. We
mompreneurs more and more, we
never
of
realized the need to build a community
at
for
compromise
merchandise
on
quality
available
we
started
mompreneurs.
engaging
An
with
eco-system
MyBabyCart.com. This quest of finding
which helps them grow, network and
amazing
support each other. MBC is trying to
products
mompreneurs.
Moms
led who
us
to
turned
entrepreneurs out of their own need to give best to their baby. 29 | July – August 2015
build
such
mompreneurs.
an
eco-system
for
MBC community consists of women
But by end of 2012 sustaining this
entrepreneurs who are -
business became difficult and so we decided to scale down the business.
Highly skilled at a specific craft like crochet, knitting, quilting
By end of 2013, my friend Rakchha
etc.
joined MBC and that is when we
Who can import great stuff and
started our journey to start working
have
with amazing ladies at home and be
an
eye
for
great
their online business partner.
merchandise. Bloggers, with great insights about parenting and various
Does being a mompreneur give a
other things.
better work life balance?
Photographers
for
better
cataloguing.
How do you define the term ‘Mompreneur ‘?
MBC is not just an e-commerce
Yes being a Mompreneur certainly
website, but it is an initiative which is
gives you flexibility of time.
helping women at home to build their identity.
When you are an entrepreneur you cannot switch off your business, it is
About 80% of urban women don’t join
very similar to being a mom.
any job and women who do, out of that nearly 40% take a break from their
When you become Mom, baby is
career to be with their little one. There
always on your mind. First you think
is a huge talent pool of women at
about baby and then about anything
home. MBC is an initiative to help
else.
those women and utilize their talent and build a business out of that.
When you become Mompreneur you bring the same Mom attitude to your
When did the journey begin?
business. Now you have two things as
MyBabyCart started in 2012 as a baby-
priority, your baby and your business.
ecommerce website. We scaled up with the help of funding from friends and
Behind any successful Mompreneur,
family.
there is an amazing support system. Support system can be just her
30 | July – August 2015
husband, her parents/in-laws. It is
ensure
you
that
both
baby
very important to value that support
business are your equal priorities.
and
system and make sure you show your gratitude towards them in your own
I personally ensure that I am always
way. You take some time out to show
home by 6:30 pm without fail, as that
how much their support means to you.
time is only for my son. I never compromise on that. When I am with
What is the biggest challenge
my son, I am only mom!
you face being mompreneur? What is the biggest advantage of Mompreneur is no different than any
being a mompreneur?
entrepreneur when it’s about handling business.
You have right attitude for business. As I mentioned earlier being an
Business challenges are same, but
entrepreneur is very similar to being a
being a Mom you must take time out
mom! Mom manages at least 5 people,
for your baby. The challenge is to
kids, husband, parents so she is by default an expert at handling people,
31 | July – August 2015
multi-tasking, taking care of all the
curated collection and enjoy rest of the
needs of people around. She is by
time with their baby.
default the GoTo person for any problem at home. This is the attitude
Any word of advice to budding
expected out of entrepreneurs as well.
mompreneurs? Lessons
learnt
during
your
About MBC: What makes MBC
journey as a mompreneur. Must
special and different?
have quality in a mompreneur?
MBC is very special, as this is by
Advice is simple, work hard, have your
Moms, for Moms and of Moms. We are
priorities right in place and never
an all women organization.
forget to show your gratitude towards your support system.
Women at home supply our products; Moms handle our customer support at
Lessons learnt- there are no short-cuts
home, whom we love to call Customer
in business. If you want to build a
Moms.
business, think, plan and then execute!
All our cataloguing work is done by
No problem comes without a solution.
Moms at home, whom we call Product
So keep looking for the solution as you
Moms. Our blogs are written by
have
Mother Bloggers.
problem.
All
products
sold
at
MBC
the
potential
to
solve
any
are
Must have quality - You are a Mom,
handpicked by Moms, so we may never
you already have the right attitude,
have 1 crore products but we certainly
just go for it!
have the best and each product is worth buying. We don’t want our customers to waste time browsing through thousands of product to finally figure out the right product for themselves. Instead, we want them to buy fast from our
32 | July – August 2015
The uterus can
Tall woman
The baby’s
stretch up to 500
have higher
fingerprints are
times its normal
chances of
formed during
size during the
conceiving
the first
course of
twins!!
trimester.
pregnancy!!
One in every 2000 babies is born with a tooth.
A baby in womb takes all the nutrients he needs and then only the mother gets her share of the nutrients.
33| July – August 2015
Only about 5% of babies are born on their due date.
The longest During the second trimester of your pregnancy the baby urinates in your uterus. And they drink it!!
recorded pregnancy period for a woman lasted for 1 year and 10 days.!!