Wheat flour ukad (Pithachi ukad)

This is typical Maharashtrian recipe similar to upama in south India. Wheat flour ukad is made up of wheat flour hence good for baby.

RECIPE :

Ingredients :

Wheat flour - 1 cup

Onion - 1 small (chopped)

Garlic - 2-3 cloves chopped

Oil - 2 tbsp

Cumin seed - 1/4 tbsp

Asafoetida (Hing)- a pinch or two 

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt

Hot water - 3 cup

Method :

1. Heat the 1/2 tbsp oil in pan and roast the wheat flour. Take out from pan (Tip 1)
2. Heat remaining oil in pan, crackle the cumin seed.
3. Add garlic, asafoetida (Hing) and turmeric powder.
4. Add chopped onion and cook it becomes translucent and soft.
5. Add 2 cup hot water and salt. Bring it to boil.
6. Add roasted wheat flout slowly and stir continuously so that no lumps should be there.
7. Cook the ukad properly and add more water as per your requirement.
8. Cover the lid of pan for 1-2 minute.

Tips:

1. Roast the wheat flour properly till you can smell the aroma of wheat flour.
2. You can add green chilli for elder kids.
3. Also one can add some vegetables to ukad to make it more nutritional

Mix veg khichadi

Mix veg khichadi is good food to cover more nutritional in one.


RECIPE :


Ingredients :
Rice - 2/3 cup
moong dal - 1/3 cup
Mix veg (copped cauliflower, carrot, green peas etc ) - 1/3 cup
Small onion - 1 (chopped)
Garlic - 2-3 cloves (chopped)
Oil - 1 tbsp
Cumin seed - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Salt
Mirch powder - a pinch or two (Optional)


Method :

1. Wash dal and rice together and drain all the water.
2. Heat oil in pressure cooker and crackle the cumin seed.
3. Add garlic and saute. Add asafoetida.
4. Add onion,pinch of salt and cook till it becomes translucent. Add turmeric powder and chilli powder. (Dont add chilli powder for baby who do not started to eat spices)
5. Add chpped vegetables and dal-rice. Saute for minute.
6. Add 2 1/2 cup warm water and salt to taste.
7. Allow khichadi to boil and close the pressure cooker lid.
8. Cook khichadi for 2-3 whistle.
9. Allow pressure to release and serve mild warm to the baby.
10. One can add ghee or oil on khichadi before serving to the baby.

Baby massage

Baby massage is a good way to increase bonding between mother and child. Out of the five sense , skin touch is more sensitive and well developed in babies. Baby always feel secure and pleasant when she is been touched and cuddled. Baby massage is the ancient technique and helpful in baby's growth and development. Let us discuss benefits of massage first and then about method.

• Benefits of massage :

1. Massage helps to develop baby's first language , which is mainly touch.
2. Daily massage help to strengthen the affection bond between baby and parents.
3. As per research center result, massage helps in weight gain and neurological development in premature babies.
4. Massage calms to colicky baby and improve functionality of gastrointestinal tract.
5. Massage helps in respiration of cells and circulation of blood.
6. Massage helps to calm nervous system which leads to restful and sound sleep
7. It helps to normalize muscle tone.
8. Massage helps baby to relieve the stress and improve the pain management.

• Preparation before massage :

1. Time for massage - There is no specific time for massage. Only precaution should be taken that baby must not be overfeed before massage and also should not be very tired and sleepy before massage. After few trial and error you could find out more suitable time for baby massage. Usually for infants massage has been done before bath. After massage baby is relaxed and stress less and can sleep more restful.
2. Oil for massage - Organic oil is easy to absorb in skin and hence good for baby massage. Oil like almond oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, mustard oil are good for baby massage. Use warm oil to massage the baby.
3. Position to Massage - As per Indian traditional way baby has been massaged on mother's/caretaker's stretched legs and that easy way to massage infants. However, one can massage baby by lay down on mattresses or bed. Put soft towel on lap or mattress before to take baby for massage.

• Directions of massage :

1. Feet and toes -  Expert suggest that start the massage with feet. Massage the baby feet with the help thumbs. Press the toes lightly and pull them gently.
2. Legs - Start with ankle and stroke up towards knees and thighs. Keep gentle pressure along the direction.
3. Chest and stomach - Massage the chest along the ribs direction, stroke from middle toward down side. Massage abdomen in circular direction staring from naval to outward direction.
4. Arms and shoulders - Massage the shoulder and arm in one long stroke starting from neck to fingertips. Use gentle pressure as you go along. Massage the palm with thumbs and pull the fingers with little jerk.
5. Face - Massage the forehead with the help of your both hands fingers along the eyebrows direction and ends near the ear. Massage the chick lightly in circular motion and nose along the length.Massage the chin along the lips direction. Massage ear lightly along the shape.
6. Head - Head has fontanel in infants so be careful while massaging head. Pit oil on head and just move hands in circular motion with gentle pressure.
7. Back - Massage the back in outward direction from centre to downside. Also give some long strokes from shoulder towards buttocks.

Danyachya kutache ladu (Peanut powder laddu)

Ingredient :
Roasted peanut powder - 1 bowl
Jaggery/ sugar


Method :

1. Take peanut powder in bowl and add jaggery/sugar as per requirement.
2. Blend this mixture in mixer.
3. Take out from mixer pot and make small size ball (Laddu) of it.
4. Give this to your toddler as a meantime food.

Potato smash

Potato is rich in carbohydrates and mostly loved by kids. Potato smash is easy to cook.


RECIPE :
Ingredients :
Potato - 2 small
Cumin seed - 1/4 tbsp
Oil - 1/2 tbsp
Salt


Method :

1. Pressure cook the potato till becomes soft
2. Remove the skin of potato and chopped it.
3. Heat the oil in pan and crackle the cumin seed.
4. Add potato and salt. Saute for minute.
5. Smash the potato and saute for 2-3 minute.