Ayila manga curry/Mackerel in mango gravy

Ayila manga curry/Mackerel in mango gravy

Ayila manga curry/Mackerel in mango gravy
Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-  15 mins 
Total time- 20 mins

Ingredients :

1. Ayila/Mackerel-500 gm
2. Onion- 2 no. (Sliced)
3. Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
4. Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
5. Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
6. Garlic and ginger- 5 tsp
7. Kashmiri chili powder- 4 tsp
8. Curry leaves as needed
9. Turmeric powder-2 Tsp
10. Coriander powder- 4 tsp
11. Mango- 10 pieces (depends on sour taste you need)
12. Salt- as needed 
13. Oil-2 tsp  

Method:

Step 1: Take a pan, pour oil and warm it on the medium flame. Add mustard, cumin and fenugreek seeds and let it splutter. Add onion, ginger, and garlic and sort it well till becomes golden brown color. Then, add all powders and mix it well for a few minutes. Add water and let it boil for a few minutes. Add salt and mango pieces too. Then, add fish pieces and let it cooked for about 15 minutes in low flame by covering a lid.

Step 2: Let it cooked for a few minutes by open, in between stir it well very slowly. Allow it to cool. Then, you make it tasty by adding salt and a pinch of sugar to balance all flavors if needed.

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity

Antenatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Suggested limited intake of gravy

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure(It's a precautionary measure)

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Suggested limited intake of gravy

Tomato chili sauce gravy

Tomato chili sauce gravy

Tomato chili sauce gravy

Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-  20 mins 
Total time- 25 mins

Ingredients :

1. Oil-3 tsp
2. Mustard-1/2 tsp
3. Ginger chopped- 1 tsp
4. Garlic chopped-2 tsp
5. Chili Powder- 1 teaspoon
6. Turmeric Powder- 1/2 teaspoon
7. Onion- 2 no. (Medium size, sliced)
8. Tomato-2 no.
9. Curry leaves- as needed
10. Coriander leaves- as needed
11. Corn flour-1 tsp 
12. Salt - as needed

Method:

Step 1: Take a pan, pour oil and add mustard seeds when it gets warm in low flame. Add ginger, garlic, onion, chopped tomatoes and curry leaves and fry till onion gets golden brown color.

Step 2: Add turmeric and chili powder, mix it very well in low flame. Then add corn flour, sort it for a few seconds.

Step 3: Then, add water and salt, mix it very well, cover with a lid and keep it in low flame for 5-7 minutes. Finally, you can garnish with coriander leaves too.

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce oil and salt also
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Antenatal diet

• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chilli powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level (Its a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chilli powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level (Its a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce chilli powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut milk, as it increases cholesterol level (Its a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Lololikka achar/ cranberry pickle/red gooseberry pickle

Loloikka achar/ cranberry pickle/red gooseberry pickle 

Loloikka achar/ cranberry pickle/red gooseberry pickle 

Preparation time- 10mins
Cooking time-10 mins
Total time- 20 mins

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

1. Lololikka- 1 kg
2. Fenugreek seeds-1 tablespoon
3. Ginger(chopped pieces) - 50 gm
4. Garlic (chopped pieces)- 50 gm
5. Dried red chilly- 15 no.
6. Vinegar (Acetic acid)- 100ml
7. Salt- as needed
8. Mustard - 4 tablespoon
9. Sunflower Oil/ gingelly oil- 250 ml
10. Chilly Powder- 8 tablespoon
11. Turmeric powder-3 tablespoon
12. Curry leaves- 30 no.

Method:

Step 1: Take a pan, pour oil and warm it. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, red dried chilly and curry leaves.

Step 2: After a few minutes, add garlic and ginger, cook it for a minute.

Step 3: Add chilly and turmeric powder and after a minute, switch off the flame. Then, add vinegar and mix it well.

Step 4: Finally, add lololikka and salt and mix it well. Allow it to cool. Then, transfer to a clean and dried glass jar and keep it closed for two weeks for soaking of lololikka. In between, shake the jar well but, don't open it.

Tips and warnings

• Use glass jar always for storing pickle
• Keep it at room temperature for 48 hrs and then keep it in the fridge for months (I prefer this method).
• If the pickle is covered with oil, you can keep it at room temperature for months, as the oil acts as a preservative. 
• When you take the portion of pickle from the bottle, slant the jar and take the lololikka pieces without oil.
• Cook it in a medium flame.
• If it is a maiden attempt, start with a small quantity, because, it needs the experience to bring the balance in the sour, spicy and salty taste of lololikka pickle.

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce oil and salt also
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level
• Suggested minimum intake

Antenatal diet

• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce chili and vinegar, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level
• Suggested minimum intake 

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level
• Suggested minimum intake 

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level
• Suggested minimum intake 

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Suggested minimum intake 

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Suggested very minimum intake 

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Suggested very minimum intake 

Apple cauliflower rice porridge for babies/ 7-12 months old

Apple cauliflower rice porridge for babies/ 7-12 months old

(Please continue exclusive breastfeeding and you should never feed a single drop of water to the baby till 06 months of age)

Apple cauliflower rice porridge for babies/ 7-12 months old

Why should you include apple, cauliflower and rice in baby's diet?

Benefits of apple

• Helps in digestion, as it is rich in fiber
• Contains enzymes which prevent the cancer
• Improve intestinal health and prevents the gastritis
• Prevents anemia among babies
• Reduce weakness and tiredness among children
• Helps in vision
• Boost the brain development

Benefits of rice

• Boosts the energy level of play activities
• Prevents tiredness
• Smooths digestion and bowel movements
• Keeps the hydrated, especially when the child is having diarrhea

Benefits of cauliflower

• Contains sulforaphane, helps to prevent the chance of developing cancer
• Maintains heart health
• Has anti-inflammatory properties, which keeps your child away from infections
• Very rich in vitamins and minerals
• Good source of choline helps in brain development of the child

Preparation of articles

Articles needed are:

1. Cooking bowl-1
2. Cooking spoon-1
3. Feeding bowl-1 
4. Feeding spoon-1 
5. Big pan-1
6. Covering lids-3
7. Mixer grinder jar-1 (Only for baby)
8. Scrubber-1 

• Keep all articles separately for the baby and do not use for other purposes. (Rationale- To prevent bacterial contamination)

• Wash all articles with tap water and soap. Take drinking water in a big pan, put all the articles (except scrubber) and boil it for five minutes by covering with a lid. After 10 minutes, you can take it for cooking. Use this method at early morning and do not skip this method to prevent further infections for the baby.

• Mixer grinder jar is the best source of bacterial growth, so that mother should clean it well. Take the white paper, dish wash solution and 50 ml of water in the grinder, grind it for 1 minute and wash it very well (do it weekly) (Rationale- To remove food stain and dirt). Then, pour boiling water and cover it with lid for ten minutes (do it early morning every day) (Rationale- To kill bacteria completely). And keep it dry.

Preparation of apple and radish porridge
Firstly, it is essential to remove pesticides and pest from cauliflower. Boil the water with salt and turmeric powder. Soak the cauliflower petals in boiling water for 15 minutes. After that wash the cauliflower petals very well.

1. Sliced apple-10 pieces
2. Sliced cauliflower- 10 pieces
3. Freshly cooked rice- 5 tsp
4. Drinking water-100 ml

Method:

Wash hands with soap and water.
In a bowl, take the sliced pieces, rice and water. Then, keep on low flame and cook it for 10 minutes. Keep it covered with a lid for another five minutes to cook it very well. Take cooked items in a jar and grind it by adding water as needed.

How to cool the porridge (Double cooling method): (Rationale- To prevent bacterial growth)

Take water in a big bowl and keep the cooking bowl in water. Stir it continuously. This step is crucial for rapid cooling to prevent bacterial growth. Feed the baby immediately, when the porridge is lukewarm.

Preferred feeding time: 1-2pm /7-8pm

The position of the baby:
Wash hands with soap and water.
I have tried many positions including sitting positions, but I am not able to feed the full amount of food.

Best position is- Make mother sit on a floor with supported back and stretched legs. Keep the baby on your legs and head of the baby facing towards your legs. So that you can get a control on face and arms of the baby. Keep the head of the baby slightly elevated.

How to feed the baby: Give a spoon of food and allow ample time for the baby to swallow it. If the baby does not open the mouth, give a mild pressure on one side of the cheek and give food. You can feed the full amount of food by keeping the baby engaged with toys. Avoid the third person with you otherwise, you and baby might be distracted.
It is essential to expel the gas from the stomach to prevent vomiting for the baby. After a few spoons of feeding, make the baby sit and gently pat on the back from bottom to top, till you hear the 'burp' sound.

To be noted: While feeding the baby, make sure that food should not spill over the nose and eyes. If it is spilled on the nose, gently wipe the food with a towel. If it is spilled on eyes, immediately wash the eyes until the baby is comfortable.

Aftercare of the baby: Keep the baby in the same position for at least 10 minutes in order to prevent projectile vomiting. Wash the face with clean water and dry with a towel.

Aftercare of the articles: After feeding, immediately wash the articles with the soapy solution and rinse it very well and, keep it for dry till the next feeding to prevent bacterial growth.

To be noted: 

• Watch the stools of the baby for any color change and you can see the level of digestion of food. 
• Do not compromise on cleaning and hygiene of the food, otherwise, you have to see the little one is suffering from infections.
• Continue breastfeeding along with solid foods.

Reliability of the information 

"We live in the midst of so many answers, suggestions, and options to one question itself. During my motherhood period, I found very difficult to opt the best do's for my baby, despite being a professional nurse. After a lot of readings, observations, brainstorming discussions with my colleagues who are nursing experts, health professionals, and experienced mothers, and I have opted the best things for my baby, implemented and succeeded to have a happy motherhood period without a single episode of fever, cold or diarrhea for the baby and sleepless night too. In spite of committing trials and errors during your parenting time, you can read, understand and implement it. If you have any queries or suggestions, a great welcome to my blog."

                                                                                  Mrs.Ponnambily Jobin