Jaggery – The Ancient Sweetener

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 myworldwitheira6 Comments

Have you tried Gur ka sherbet in summers or Gur with ghee and roti in winters? Those flavors are something that remind us of our childhood. My Grandma had the habit of using jaggery in many recipes where sugar was required. Even our sewaiyan and kheer have always had the unique sweetness of jaggery in them. This habit to affect has been passed on in our generations. Needless to say, I still enjoy that flavor and have been continuing it with my kids.

It is said that Portuguese introduced jaggery in India during the invasion over spice trade and the name is derived from the Portuguese word “Jagara”. But according to Indian history, it is believed to originate in India itself and somewhere around the Eastern part. Hence, Ayurveda has been using jaggery for more than 3000 years now and advises the use of it on a daily basis. It is best to consume it especially during winters because it is the season for fresh supply in abundance. It has two varieties namely sugarcane jaggery and date palm jaggery. Palm jaggery is considered more sweet and more nutritious as there are very less chemicals involved in making it.

Jaggery has many vital nutrients and has innumerous health benefits.

✓Wholesome diet: Jaggery is also called wholesome diet. It contains iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, glucose, fructose, protein and fat.

✓Boosts immunity: Jaggery helps the increase of haemoglobin in your blood. It is loaded with antioxidants and minerals which help our body to resist infections.

✓Blood purifier: Jaggery is known to be one of the best blood purifiers. When consumed on regular basis but in limited quantity it helps in cleansing of blood making our bodies more healthy.

✓ Detoxifies liver: Jaggery cleanses the liver by flushing out all our toxins. It effectively detoxifies your body.

✓Treats flu-like symptoms: Gur wali Chai is very famous in winters for the same reason. Jaggery warms up your body so either have a piece of it or add it to a glass of warm water or your cup of tea as a substitute of sugar and reap it’s benefits.

✓Prevents anaemia: Jaggery is rich in iron and and folate. This keeps our red blood cells count in check and maintains our haemoglobin. Pregnant women should definitely consider having it on a daily basis.

✓Energy booster: Sugar is easily broken down by the body and provides easy but short supply of calories while jaggery takes its time to be broken down and hence the rise in energy is gradual but long lasting. So there are no risks of diabetes. It also helps in problems of fatigue.

✓Acne and pimples: Helps in treating many skin problems like acne and pimples.

Common ways to use.
Til Gur laddoos and peanut chikkis are the easiest snack that can be made for your family. Instead of using jams and spreads, offer your kids roti with jaggery and ghee. Gur ka paratha is a kids favorite. Sugar and brown sugar can be substituted by jaggery in your cakes and cookies as well as in french toasts and pancakes.
A small lemon sized piece of jaggery is a must to have after every meal or at least post-lunch to get the most of it.

This blog is a part of #LBWP – Let’s Blog with PRI, Season 2. You can also check out blogs written by my fellow bloggers Sanandita and Sindhu.

Hosted By : Prisha Lalwani Mummasaurus.com IG: @mummasauruss FB: /mummasaurus1

Uncategorized

Ways to prepare your firstborn for a sibling

July 3, 2020July 7, 2020 myworldwitheira32 Comments

Being acceptable of a sibling is not easy for every child and it is our responsibility as a parent to prepare them early before the baby is due.

When I completed my first trimester, me and my husband talked to Eira that we were expecting. She was on top of the world but I still knew I had to prepare her for all the changes she is gona see in me and after the baby comes.

Ways I prepared Eira during pregnancy,
✓ Sharing the pregnancy news together as parents. The child should not come to know from someone else.
✓We read about the baby’s development together every week. So there were no surprises when my bump started to grow and she knew exactly what was going on inside me.
✓ I involved Eira in my pregnancy announcement.
✓ Reading books about being a big sister and how the baby will be.
✓ Talking about her also being responsible for the baby and that the baby wil learn more from her.
✓ Reading to the bump together. Since her reading skills had developed she read more stories to the baby and made some of her own.
✓ Some kids expect that when the baby comes, they wil be able to play right away, so we talked about how she can be involved with the baby by reading, singing, playing her guitar, changing diapers, helping during bath time, etc.
✓ Some kids expect a certain sibling like Eira wanted a sister. We talked about how nature takes its course and a healthy and happy baby is what we should be looking forward too.
✓ We also shared stories about when I was expecting her and she used to find them very interesting.

Some kids are well prepared but once the baby arrives, everyone’s attention seems to shift and that can change the elder child’s mind.

We started the connection between them right at birth. When the baby was taken to the family, I had asked the doctor in advance to let Eira be the first one to see and hold the baby. Of course their Dad was there. I cannot express how happy and special she felt and how she talks about it till date. At that moment itself, the big sister feeling had taken over.

Ways to avoid jealousy between siblings:
✓Make sure there is an alloted amount of time for the elder child everyday.
✓They should be included in the daily chores of the baby showing that even they are needed by the baby. Reading, singing, baby exercises, fetching diaper essentials, helping during bath time can be done together.
✓ Try to avoid conversations where family and friends talk about how parents love little ones more.
✓ When the older sibling needs a parent, it just might not be patient enough to understand that the baby is crying or feeding, etc. That is a great time for Dads to step in and take it ahead. For kids who need their mothers the most, this step needs to come in practice during pregnancy phase itself.

At the end, we also need to understand that they are kids themselves. We need to cut them some slack. Give them a little time and they will definitely come around with our love and support! 😊

Uncategorized

Early reading importance: How I developed this habit in my kids. 📚

June 27, 2020July 7, 2020 myworldwitheira14 Comments

In our family and friends, first time parents are surprised to receive books as gifts from us for their newborn. It is the last thing they expect for their baby and don’t understand the need of it but I know from our experience that it’s never too early to start reading.

When Eira was 3 months old, I got her a book after a lot of research. It was “The hungry caterpillar” by Eric Carle. When Eira saw the book, her eyes grew wider. The beautiful illustrations caught her attention and she just went cooing and smiling. She would gaze at it for hours.

We inculcated the habit of reading together on a daily basis. Sometimes as a routine and other times because she chose to. There was nothing like a good stack of books that would calm her. She became a little bookworm.

When I was pregnant the second time, Eira had already started basic level reading on her own. As doctors suggested, she used to read to my bump. Classic books, baby books, sing aloud, etc. She would make up stories of her own telling the baby how the world was, what the baby is like now and what a good sister she wil be! Reading became a way for her to connect with the little one.

When Eric was born, we noticed that along with me he would react to Eira’s voice also very well. The first book I got him was “Baby’s very first black and white book of animals” from Usborne. The high contrast pictures of the book are lovely for newborns. Later we moved to the hungry caterpillar and other books from Eira’s library. Eric is now 8 months old, and it amazes us the interest he shows when he sees a book. Books over toys is his preference now.

Eira has taken over Non-Fiction now and can’t have enough of it while Eric wants to have every book of his sister. Reading has helped them both in many ways and their bond just grows stronger and stronger with it.

Reading books acts as a friend. It teaches kids about themselves and the world around. It is one of the best things we can do for them and along with them. Introducing books early in life enhances the way kids perceive the world and helps their growth in an unimaginable way.

Happy Reading !!!!! 📚📚📚