Safest n Softest!!!

  Each child born on the planet is unique in it’s own way, and requires the utmost care necessary. As a tiny new Angel acquires a prominent role in a parent’s life, our paternal instincts get to work. We try considering the minutest details for our baby’s care and upbringing, and strive to make everything touch the core of perfection. One of our topmost concern is our baby’s skin, which needs intense nursing and love. 

So here are some simple yet useful tips regarding the same which will help new mothers  maintain their baby’s skin as soft as ever!

1. Use parabens- free products

Before buying any product for your baby like soap , powder , shampoo etc. Make sure it’s parabens – free. ( a chemical used as a preservative in soaps, shampoos  other products ) 

2.Oats and milk paste

Grind oats and milk into a magical  paste and use for massaging your baby before bathing. Use baby fabric conditioner.

3.Wash your hands

Make sure you and anyone who wants to hold the baby always wash  hands thoroughly before doing so. 

4.Use of disinfects for moping

Keeping house floors , especially the baby play areas germ free is one of the highest priorities. Using disinfectants proved to be a great help in achieving our goal.

5. Using a baby fabric conditioner 

Often rashes occur due to baby’s clothing material which get a bit coarse as threads tend to loosen up after several washes, especially when dried out in open air. But this can be solved by using fabric conditioners especially designed for baby’s clothes which will keep their clothes soft and fresh.

Hope this post helps new parents in a better upbringing of their babies.

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. “

Softest skin for your baby!

  Motherhood opens a totally different chapter in a woman’s life, dignifying every aspect of her coming days. It changes everything, from chores to entertainment, each situation now has a new life to share those feelings. Be it a tiresome day, or a lovely evening with family , a baby’s smile changes it all, elevating a mother’s love and happiness. The most grasping moments that stay in a mothers memory are her cuddling her little one, playing with him/ her and feeling their soft skin. So how to maintain that ever- soft feel without much effort and expense? Here are some simple tips to help new mothers keep their Little Angels smiling all day!

1. Milk with saffron

Gently massage your baby with milk and a few saffron strands . Bath your baby 10 minutes post massage.

2.Coconut  and olive oil.

This mixture works wonders with baby skin. Massage your baby with this fusion oil at night or before bathing. 

3. Almond/ coconut oil infused with Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera has proven to be beneficial for skin since ages. Infused with almond / coconut oil and applied to your baby, you will see the difference for yourself!

4.Breastfeed your baby and Drink lots of water

Breastfed babies are proven to have a lot of health benefits including a healthy and subtle skin. But the main idea is that the feeding mother should drink lots of water, which will keep your baby’s skin well hydrated and glowing.

5.Use a mild detergent for baby laundry 

Use a very mild detergent ( even a little shampoo will do) for your little ones laundry. Avoid using anti- bacterial solutions as these contain strong chemicals and detergent bars which tend to leave a whitish residue on the clothes.

 “Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. “

Kashmiri Prawns!

  Kashmir! A state in north India famous for its aromatic dishes and a cuisine with a twist. Creamy yet light, there’s a very thin line between Mughlai and Kashmiri food, which often confuses people. You can hardly tell   the difference! The main difference is the less use of spices and the method of cooking consisting mostly grilling or slow fire pots. So here’s a recipe for of a dish which will provide you with mouth watering richness and fragrance. Also a beauty to your eyes, it can be tried by substituting its protein ingredient each time, so you get a different finger licking goodness every time you follow this recipe.

Ingredients (for the marinade)

1. 2 tbsp garlic chopped 
2. 2 tsp chillies chopped
3. 3 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 
4. 1 tsp black pepper 
5. 1 tsp turmeric powder 
6. Oil ( for greasing)
7. Salt to taste
8. 1 tsp dry basil
9. 1 tsp dry thyme
10. 2 tbsp nandos hot peri peri sauce( can use any hot sauce)

Method 

Devein the prawns and flatten them. Wash thoroughly and mix with all the above ingredients. Set aside for 3-4 hours. 

Ingredients (for the sauce)

1. 1 tsp chopped garlic
2. 1-2 chopped chillies
3. 1/2 tsp dry basil
4. 200 grms tomato purée
5. 50 grms butter
6. 200 grms fresh cream
7. 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
8. 1/4 tsp Black pepper powder 
9. Little chopped coriander 
10. 1/2 a lemons juice
11. 1 tsp sugar
12. Salt to taste

Method 
Combine all the ingredients in a pan and cook until well combine and fragrant. Now grill the prawns after greasing in a grill or oven. Remove the prawns in the serving dish when done and pour the sauce over them. Serve hot with fries and rice.

Simply Crisp!

  Guess Kashmiri prawns  will have to wait cause this ones my favourite.What it takes for a simple fish fry?  Spiced up with Indian spices, and fried to crunchy texture, this recipe is amazingly luscious when served with Indian flatbread ( wheat chapatis). Sounds good!! Well here’s the simple yet richly spiced promfret from the famous South Insian cuisine.

Fish fry

Ingredients 

1. 1 kg promfret fish( or any- the bigger the better)
2. 1/4 cup lemon juice
3. 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
4. 1/2 tsp pepper powder( coarse)
5. 2 tsp cumin powder
6. 1 tsp red chilli powder (spicy)
7. 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder( less spicy)
8. 1 -2 turmeric powder 
9. 2 tsp coriander powder
10. Salt to taste
11. Oil for frying

Method 

Clean and cut the fish. Apply salt and wash thoroughly. Mix all the spices and ginger garlic paste in lemon juice and marinate the fish pieces well for an hour or two. Shallow fry in a non stick pan. When the fish is done , fry the left over marinade in the pan and serve along with the fish. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve with wheat flatbreads(chapatis).

Basil chicken with Rice… Too good!!

  So sorry about the delay in this post and couldn’t get to make Kashmiri prawns. Instead I made Basil Chicken.  
Another of my successfull experiments, this one turned out just right. So do make and indulge in this gourmet food!

Ingredients 

1. 1/2 kg boneless chicken ( cut in small a cubes)
2. Handful of basil leaves( chopped)
3. 2 tbsp garlic ( chopped)
4. 1 small onion ( chopped)
5. 4-5 Baby corns (sliced)
6. 2-3 chillies ( sliced)
7. 1/2 cup oyster sauce
8. 2 tbsp soya sauce 
9. 1 tsp vinegar
10. 1 tbsp sugar
11. 2-3 tbsp cornflour paste
12. 2 tbsp green chilli sauce
13. Pepper powder n salt to taste
14. 1-2 tbsp Oil

Method

Heat oil in a deep heavy bottom pan. Add half of the basil leaves , garlic , onion and chicken . Close lid and simmer until tender. When the chicken is cooked ,stir in the sauces and add baby corn and chillies . Sauté for two mins , add 2-3 cups of water( acc to the required gravy). Now add the cornflour paste and stir well. Put pepper and salt . Lastly add the remaining basil leaves . Serve with steamed rice.

Healthy and easy-peasy! Gonna love it for sure.

Drawing Barriers;

  Who said that we have gained our independence. What did we achieve after all those freedom fighters getting slaughtered by the British people? Have we earned it yet? Corruption and politics still prevail like a stigma in our society and democracy dying  a painful death every other day. The recent murder of an innocent  in Dadri due to just a rumour  that he had consumed beef has shook the nation’s comman man. Why aren’t we able to see the reason behind  the creation of such crimes and the people behind it? Democracy was created to bring about a change and difference in the lives of our citizens. But today we just read those rights without any context with our lives. Reality is so cruel!

Now we can’t even decide what are we supposed to eat? This is just a game play, which takes a terrific twist when added the words ‘religious culture ‘ to it. Has our humanity stooped so low ? The ban on beef was one major reasons that sowed the seed of the crime. But what about the illiterate fanatics which get carried away and are disrupting the  harmony which prevails. So barriers are drawn on rumours which being the main ingredient in the murder of the little humanity we have left. The government has been helping the victim’s family but the ban on beef has already done it’s part. No doubt our nation’s unity, being a target of political systems, needs citizens that educate and revolutionalise our thinking and beliefs. Killing rumours would be a good start!

This post is a part of Write Over The Weekend an initiative for Indian Bloggers by Blogadda.