Be the change you want to see - Yelling less

From time immortal (roughly around 5 Years) , my little one (now 6.5 year old) has been watching phone or tablet or laptop while eating or being fed. I know its not her fault that she was introduced to these gadgets and the gadgets acted as baby sitters. But this habit of hers was getting onto my nerves now, cos even for eating a biscuit or drinking milk or juice she would demand phone! It was as if she was doing a big favour on me by eating or drinking!
I could take it no more, since this had started affecting her eye sight and also her behaviour . I decided that this needs to stop!
So some two weeks back I told her that from now onwards we are not watching phone, tv tablet or anything while eating. I was really mad at her. She said ok mama, but with pure innocence she said "How?" . I was like I am so mad at her and still she is asking me how! Yes I can be irrational sometimes. But when I cooled down, I understood her question. Because if we  go back to our same setup of having meal (sitting in front of tv on sofa, since I am watching tv while eating and simultaneously feeding ) she will definitely ask for phone!
So I decided, we will have dinner, lunch in our room, we will not sit on sofa, instead I took out my yoga mat and told her we both will sit down here and eat. Normally I will serve one plate for both of us, since I am feeding her. But I really want her to start eating on her own and be independent, hence I served two separate plates. We sat on the mat and I told how she can feed herself.
It wasnt easy, I can tell you!
She does not understand how she can take a chapati bite along with the dry sabji and dip it in daal, so we started with basics. Next she would get bored of eating in absence of a distraction, so will not eat much. I have to coax or threaten her sometimes to eat a little bit more. Then sometimes tiredness or sleep would creep in, and she would be so dull while chewing, god give me the patience to handle it..we are not there yet ...but on the way..wish us luck friends!

I am really impressed and have been reading all posts from a fellow blogger Shailaja on how she took up the challege of yelling less at her daughter. I can so much relate to her struggle, triumphs, angst..it has motivated me to embark on a journey myself. So friends I would try to yell less on my daughter for the next week.. Thanks Shailaja..love


image source: google

Happy Teachers Day! Pop up box cards

Hi Friends..Hope you are enjoying the festival seasons if in India. These are the times when most of us are busy with celebrations in India :)

Prepared these cute cards along with missy for her teachers.

Little S is very fond of pop up cards now a days..actually even myself!

So we decided to make not 1-2 but 6 of these cards! I know it was asking for a little too much. We prepared the basic structure for all 6 of them. But last night I could take out time only at 11 PM to actually make the cards. So I convinced her that at the moment we can only prepare two, and will do rest later. 

I took some printouts for the quotes and some images of a little girl, books, pencil and ruler. Little miss was very happy to color the images for her teachers.

Then we adhered the patter paper and all the little cutouts to our cards. Loved the result!! Do let me know how you liked our little cards for teachers day . Thanks !

Sending this to :

http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.in/2017/09/pixies-snippets-playground-week-296-and.html?m=1

http://dianamlarson.blogspot.in/2017/09/dlart-september-linky-challenge.html?m=1

http://cardztv.blogspot.in/2017/09/cardz-tv-anything-goes-challenge-11.html?m=1

http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.in/2017/09/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper.html?m=1

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.in/2017/09/patterned-paper.html?m=1


http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.in/2017/09/really-reasonable-ribbon-challenge-171.html?m=1

http://justkeeponcreating.blogspot.in/2017/09/september-anything-goes-link-up.html?m=1
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.in/2017/09/dlart-september-linky-challenge.html?m=1


http://scrap-craft-inspiration.blogspot.in/2017/09/scrap-craft-inspiration-challenge-7.html?m=1

http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2017/09/himcr-316-fall-colors.html?m=1

http://www.mycreativescoop.com/color-inspiration-monthly-link-26/

http://www.craftingcircle.com/Bloggit/?p=12915#

http://scrap-craft-inspiration.blogspot.in/2017/09/scrap-craft-inspiration-challenge-7.html?m=1

http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2017/09/welcome-to-craft-schooling-sunday.html#more

Sprouted Fenugreek seeds curry | Khatti Meethi Dana Methi Sabji | Marwadi style

Healthy and delicious curry from Rajasthan is made with fenugreek seeds,jaggary, dry fruits and few basic spices

It is usually made during winter to serve as side dish or chutney. Adding sugar/jaggery to this sabji enhances the taste and also increase its shelf life . 

Methi have numerous health benefits. It helps to lower cholesterol so reduces risk of heart diseases. Very good for diabetic patients as it regulates blood sugar levels.Helps in digestion and good to cure gastric trouble and indigestion. Methi is also good for lactating mothers. It is also advised to eat some soaked methi seeds if you have arthritis and joint pain.so many heath benefits in this wonderful tiny seeds.

I came across this recipe after marriage when my MIL made it. Loved the idea of inclucating this wonder seed in diet in such a yummy preparation!

This healthy-Sprouted dana methi ki sabzi stays well for a week in the refrigerator.

I have made this chutney with sprouted Methi seeds as sprouting makes the seeds less bitter but you can also make it without sprouting .Taste great both ways.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Fenugreek Seeds / Methidana

3/4 cup Jaggary / Gud

3/4  cup Sugar / Chini

2 tbsp Red chili powder

2 tbsp Coriander Powder / Dhaniya Powder

4 tbsp Mango Powder / Amchoor Powder

2 tbsp Chaat Masala

1.5 tsp Salt / Namak

2 tbsp Cooking Oil

1 tsp Cumin Seeds / Sabut Jeera

1 tsp Fennel Seeds / Saunf

1/4 cup Raisins / Kishmish

10 Dates / Khajoor

Servings:

4

Units:

Instructions

Soak fenugreek/methi seeds in water for around 5 hours then drain the water.Now rinse with fresh water and drain the water completely .

Take the seeds in a bowl and cover the bowl with a muslin cloth for 2 day to sprout them.

When seeds are sprouted then wash them again and pressure cook with 1.5 glass of water for 3 whistles on medium heat or you can boil them in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain the water and wash the boiled seeds with fresh water.

Soak the dry dates in water for 4 hours ,remove the seeds and slice them thinly and if you are using fresh soft dates then chop them and add directly.

Heat oil in pan and add cumin and fennel seeds.

When seeds start crackling add boiled fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.

Now add all the spices,sugar,jaggary,raisins and dates in the pan,mix well.

Simmer for around 20 minutes or till gravy thickens.

Store in a glass jar when cool down completely.

Recipe Notes

Serving suggestions-serve methi ki launji as a relish,pickle with snacks, rice or any Indian bread.

Dhaniya Prasad | Krishna Janmashtmi special

Ingredients

1/2 cup Coriander Powder / Dhaniya Powder

1/2 cup Foxnuts / Phool Makhana - Optional 

1 tbsp Dry coconut grated

1 tbsp gum, gond

1 tsp Melon Seeds / Magaz / Kharbooje Ke Beej

10 Almonds / Badam

4 tbsp Clarified Butter / Desi Ghee

1/3 cup Boora/ powdered sugar

Instructions

Heat a heavy bottom pana nd add the melon seedsand stir on low heat till they start to crackle,remove and keep aside.

add ghee in the pan and gond, roast on low heat till they swell . Remove.

Add ghee and add the almonds and roast on low heat till they start to crackle,remove from the pan.

Now add the makhana and roast for 2-3 minutes till they become crisp ,remove and keep aside

Now coarsely pound the makhana, gond and almond in the mortar and pestle

Now add the 2 tbsp ghee and roast the dhaniya powder on low heat till it start giving a nice aroma and turn darker in colour. Now emove from the pan

After 2-3 minutes mix the roasted dhaniya powder ,powdered sugar or boora , makhana,melon seeds and almonds and mix well.

Store in air tight jar. Enjoy this yummy prasad on janmashtmi!

Monsoon activity | Paper Umbrella ☔

Hi Friends
Hope you are enjoying the monsoon season if in India! This is a fun time here in Mumbai, sometimes raining cats and dogs but on others it is a very nice drizzle!

So when mumma and missy are home on one of these monsoon days, this is what we ended up making!
We cut some circles from origami paper, cut them in half . Folded them from centre and stuck them. Also inserted a little cord for hanging the umbrella and a little stem for holding it..whatever is preferred :)

Do let us know how you liked our little monsoon craft Umbrellas.

Kids Rakhi Activity and Marwadi Son Pooja

Sharing a rakhi activity that little miss did in her school. She decorated a rakhi printout with crepe ribbons and sequence. Isnt it cute!

Also want to share a marwadi tradition for rakhi which we follow and have seen this since my childhood. We make two identical designs on a small piece of paper and stick it on both sides of the door, mainly on the sides of main door, kitchen door. So these little peices are called Son and they are stuck  a day befor on the doors. Traditionally this is done with limestone water - making a small white surface with limestomne water on both sides of the entrance, letting it dry and then painitng it with geru. But now with recent trends there is lot of fasion in this area too! :)  is my simple take on it. My SIL had sent these small son made of plastic, I stuck them on paper and decorated with 3D Outliner. Do let me know how you liked our little creations!

Decorated Wooden Bird House | Kids Craft

Hi Friends, sharing a simple craft which little miss and me did. I had this cute little wooden bird house from my US trip long back. We decided to deck it up for my daughters bird theme birthday party.

Painted it with acrylic paints in metallic pink and golden. Loved the combination! Stuck some colored popsicle sticks on the roof and sprinkled some glitter dust on the front side...easy :)

Do let me know how you liked our little bird house. 

Methi thepla | Methi masala paratha

I am in love with Methi in any form and hence try to include it in some way in the diet. 

Methi thepla is a flavoured flat bread recipe from gujarati cuisine prepared with fresh fenugreek leaves. This thepla comes very handy as a lunch box recipe and also for tiffin box while traveling since it has a longer shelf life compared to normal roti’s and can be easily preserved for 3 days in room temperature

while the fenugreek leaves are considered to be bitter in taste, it has several heath benefits to offer. Firstly, it helps in improving digestion and appetite, it is full of antioxidants and fibre, which eventually removes all toxins from our body. Secondly, fenugreek leaves helps in reducing body weight and can be easily included in diet for weight watchers. It is also considered to be good remedy for menstrual disorders especially the pain and the cramps. lastly, it also helps to cure hair loss disorder and helps to retain the glow on skin.

Ingredients

2 cups wheat flour / atta

¼ cup besan / gram flour

½ tsp kashmiri red chili powder / lal mirch powder

1 tsp sesame seeds / til

¼ tsp turmeric / haldi

½ tsp carom seeds / ajwain

1 green chili, chopped

salt to taste

1 inch ginger, grated

1 cup methi leaves / fenugreek leaves, finely chopped

½ cup curd / yogurt, fresh / sour

water as required, to knead dough

2 tsp oil

5 tsp oil / ghee, for roasting

Method

firstly, in a large mixing bowl take wheat flour and besan.

also add chili powder, turmeric, sesame seeds, carom seeds and salt.

additionally, add green chili and ginger.now add finely chopped methi leaves.give a rough mix making sure the spices are combined well.

furthermore, add half cup of curd and combine the dough well.

additionally, add some water and knead the dough.

knead the dough to smooth and soft texture like of chapathi dough.

add 2 tsp of oil and knead the dough for 5 more minutes.

now pinch a medium sized ball dough, roll and flatten it.

also dust with some wheat flour.

further roll it in a thin circle like chapathi or paratha.

now on a hot tawa place the rolled thepla and cook for a minute.

flip the methi thepla also brush oil / ghee and press slightly.

finally, serve methi thepla with raita and pickle.

Tips:

Thepla has to be fried on medium to high flame and not on low flame. on low flame the thepla would turn hard and brittle. 

Adding curd is optional while kneading the dough. however curd helps to make thepla soft

Addition  ajwain or carrom seeds which help in digestion of gram flour.

Washi tape card | Easy card | Kids craft

Hi Peeps

Recently little miss made these cards for her grandparents anniversary. We stuck colorful washi tape on card stock. Cut some balloons, attached strings. Stamped a little fairy which was colored by missy. Inside she wrote lovely message for her grand parents. Do let me know how u liked her simple creation. :)

Healthy Steamed Methi Muthia

Methi being my favourite, I love to include it in any diet possible. Steamed Methi Muthiya is a healthy yet delicious snacks. 

This is also a great way to get children to eat loads of Methi, which they otherwise find bitter.

Steamed Methi Muthia is a delicious and healthy snack from Gujarat made with fresh fenugreek leaves, wheat flour, and gram flour. Enjoy it with a piping hot cup of Masala Chai.

Ingredients

2.5 Cups Fresh Methi (Fenugreek) Leaves

1.5 Cups Atta, Wheat Flour

0.5 Cups Besan, Gram Flour

1 tbsp Sesame Seeds

1 tsp Green Chilli Paste

1 tsp Fresh Ginger Paste

2 tbsp Lemon Juice

1 tsp Red Chilli Powder

1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder

1 tsp Sugar

1 tbsp Oil

To Taste Salt

As Required Water

Ingredients for Tempering

1-2 tbsp Oil

1 tsp Rai, Mustard Seeds

1 tbsp Til, Sesame Seeds

A Few Curry Leaves

A Pinch Hing, Asafoetida

Instructions

Making the Dough for Methi Muthiya:

Chop the fenugreek leaves. Wash them and set aside to drain in a colander.

Mix together atta, besan, red chilli powder, turmeric, green chilli paste, ginger paste, sesame seeds, sugar, and salt.

Add the chopped and washed methi leaves. Mix well

Add the lemon juice. Mix well.

Using a little water, mix to create a firm yet pliable dough.

Add 1 tbsp oil. Mix well.

Set aside for 5 minutes.

Divide the dough into 2 halves.

Roll each half into a log about 1.5" in diameter.

In a pressure cooker or steamer, add enough water for a 7-10 minute steam.

Bring the water to a boil.

Place the rolls in a steamer or a flat colander.

Steam the rolls for 7 to 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the rolls cool a bit.

Cut the steamed rolls into 1/2" slices.

Tempering the Methi Muthiya

In a pan, heat the oil.

Add the mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.

Add the sesame seeds, curry leaves, and hing.

Stir-fry for a few seconds.

Add the Methi Muthiya.

With a gentle hand, stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes till the muthia just start to change colour.

Serve hot with a cup of Masala Chai.

Recipe Notes

Be careful not to over steam the Muthia; otherwise they will become tough.

You could add a pinch of cooking soda or fruit salt (Eno) to the dough. If you do choose to do this, make sure it is just a pinch.

I found that I did not need too much water because the moisture in the washed leaves and the lemon juice is quite sufficient to make the dough.