Author: momsdiary26

A note to my son on being a big brother

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Dear son, I write to you on your eight birthday. After being the only child for good long time, now you share your status of a son with someone else. Somebody like you, who too calls me “mama”.

Imagining another addition to the family filled with excitement as much as it filled me with anxiety.Where on one hand, I dreamt of twinkling eyes and teeny weeny finger and coos and giggles, I was clearly unclear of all that was going to change; your bedtime, our constant hugs and cuddles, the love attention and care and all of what was exclusively yours. I dreaded how you would handle all of that, your attitude, you behavior and your acceptance to the upcoming norm.

And how incredible you have been in doing away with all the doubts that ever did rounds in my mind! You are such a lovely little boy, who is happiest at the mention of his brother. A little boy who loves to share his brother stories in school. A little boy, who happily transfers the spotlight of the family, visitors and friend to his younger brother. I am happy to see this beautiful side of yours and can’t wait to soak in the magical moments when the two of you bond more and more.

Although, it hit me hard initially, very hard indeed. When I saw you after three days at the time of birth of your brother, the longest we had been away from each other. When I saw you silently bundling up in bed without mama’s good night hugs and kisses. When I saw you sitting with your dad over the dinner, without last few spoons to be fed by mama. When I saw you finishing up your bath yourself without distant calls for a towel.

I sometimes feel apologetic about how quick you grew up into a big and responsible boy. When you no more need me on your head to finish off schoolwork. When you understand why mama couldn’t go out for bicycling with you. When you find ways to entertain yourself while mama rests with the baby.

But believe me it’s you who made my journey with having a baby easier. When I see you join me in lavishing our love to the baby. The way you pacify him when I am in the midst of finishing up something. The way you make my trips to the bathroom a little less panicky. The way you run for errands when I am stuck up with something of anything.

All your little acts of kindness motivate me to be a better mom and do all those big small things for you. More than anything, you make me feel proud of myself of having done things right to see you the way you are!

You are my therapy. Mama might be physically more invested in the baby, but you are always in my mind. My cuddles for him might be a little more, but my warmth for your adorable being remains the same. My words for him may be a little sweeter, but my heart never ceases to take pride for the child that you are and the child you have been. My role of mom may be divided between the two of you, but the child who gave birth to a mom will forever be you. My arms may be full of this new tiny being, but the smell of your newborn self still sits with me and the pleasures you brought to my life continue to give me those stings of excitement. I still wish to keep you in my wraps ever and forever.

Soon our house will be noisier. There will be rivalry, and fights and some bigger fights. There will be moments when you will feel like losing it. But I am sure your love and warmth will be your guide. The beauty with which you handle this role is going to set a benchmark.

I don’t say that you are the best son or the best brother just as these words are meant to say. But these words are the ones which I mean —straight from my heart.

Cupid’s Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie

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If you are looking for some simple yet healthy treat for your kids on or around Valentines day, this blueberry smoothie just fits in right. While being a healthier alternative to shakes, this smoothie is also luxurious as it comes with the goodness of cheesecake. Your kids will feel they are having a treat while having something so healthy. A win win!

The ingredients are fresh and unprocessed right from your refrigerator. Plus, greek yogurt and cream cheese make it high in protien. The blueberries give a sweet taste but if you want it to be a li’l more sweet, you can use any sweetener of your choice.

As sweetener, I added a spoon of honey into it. You can alternatively add brown sugar or white sugar.

I used unflavoured greek yogurt; you can also choose vanilla or any other flavored yogurt. I used Philadelphia cream cheese option as I find it quite a tastier alternative of cream cheese.

Milk can also be altered to your choice, like a normal whole milk or almond milk or any other milk. I used normal whole milk.

Blueberries used in this are frozen since they make the smoothie thicker and your smoothie is more smoothie like rather than a shake like. You can also add ice while blending to give a thicker texture. Just throw into the blender with other ingredients while blending and it turns fine.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1//4 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp honey

For topping and decoration:
Sprinkles
Cracker crumbs
A heart shaped cookie Few blueberries

Directions:

1. In a blender, blend all the ingredients that is blueberries, greek yogurt, cream cheese, milk, honey, and blend it until smooth.

2. Pour it into a tall glass and sprinkle cracker crums, blueberries on top of it.

3. Carefully make a slit in the heart shaped cookie with a knife and insert in the glass.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Avocado Waffles

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I have been lately obsessed with my Dash mini waffle maker. The highly versatile that waffles can be, make me adore this new possession of mine even more.

So did you know that besides being a good dessert, waffles make an equally healthy option for breakfast as well!

I tried these super healthy and superbly yummy waffles a few days back. I used powdered oats instead of all purpose flour, with the goodness of avocados. These waffles just need a pinch of sugar, so you can have a guilt free day even after a luxurious waffle breakfast day. Since we ate these for breakfast, I topped it with fried egg.

My son who is not such an avid lover of avocados could not even make out that these waffles had avocados in it. Further, these were so light and crisp, that you could easily eat a couple of these in one meal.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup oats (powdered)
2 tbsp flax seed (powdered)
1 avocado ripe
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp melted butter

for topping

1/2 tsp oil
1 egg
A pinch of salt and pepper
Carrot, lettuce (for garnish)

Directions:

1. In a bowl take dry ingredients thats is powdered oats, flax seed powder, baking powder, sugar, and salt and mix these.

2. In a blender, blend avocado in water.

3 Add avocado paste to the dry ingredients and mix.

4. Add melted butter and milk and mix nicely but don’t overmix.

5. On a heated waffle maker, add batter and let it cook for 4 to 6 mins.

6. In another pan, add some oil and cook egg.

7. Top your waffle with egg; season with salt and pepper and garnish with carrot, lettuce. Your super healthy breakfast is ready!

Energy Bars

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If you are looking forward to some make ahead quick breakfast ideas, then these energy bars are something not to be missed upon. These are super easy to make and in only 3 steps.

These energy bars are our family’s favorite. I prefer making it in advance and storing it in an airtight container. They are a savior as quick to-go breakfast on busy mornings or a filling snack in the evenings. They remain nice and crisp for a good amount of time as well.

These bars are not only wholesome, but also highly adaptive and can be varied with a number of ingredients. I find that peanut butter gives a good binding to the ingredients as compared to almond butter. You can also add whipped frosting of any flavors, just to give an additional twist of taste.

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cups peanut butter (or any other nut butter)
I cup nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dry dates etc.
2tbs flax seed
¼ cup honey
Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Take rolled oats, dried fruits, flax seed powder, peanut butter, almond butter and honey in a dish.


2. In a chopper, coarsely grind all the ingredients.


3. Now add choco chips to the mixture.

4. Next, take a raised baking dish, firmly press the mixture into it. Cover it for 2hrs or until firm.

4. Now using a knife slice it into bars. Store it into an airtight container.

Easy Mac & Cheese, beans and hash brown casserole

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This super simple casserole is perfect as a side dish or even as a main course. This Mac & Cheese casserole includes beans in addition so it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this gives an additional twist of health to the regular Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed making it and it perfectly fits as a one dish dinner for the whole family.

In this recipe, I have used packed Mac & Cheese since I prefer to make it on busier days and this will make your cooking easier. You can also cook Mac & Cheese using elbow Macaroni from scratch.

For the hash browns as well, you can use store bought hash browns or freshly grate potatoes at home. Store bought hash browns are ready to use as per the instructions. However, if you are making it from scratch, then take two big potatoes, shred them using a boxed grater, wash them and drain them before spreading them on the casserole.

Beans also can be altered to your choice. I used kidney beans in the recipe. I soaked it for around 4 to 5 hours before cooking.

Ingredients:

2 cups hash browns
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cajun spice (garlic, pepper, salt)
3 cups Mac & Cheese
1 cup kidney beans
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup onions (chopped)
1/4 cup tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. In a casserole spread, hash browns with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of cajun spice. Let it bake in oven at 450 degree Fahrenheit for 15 mins.

2 In another bowl, pour the ingredients of Mac & Cheese and mix water and let it it cook for 15 mins in microwave for 9 mins. (Check in between to see if there are no spills).

3. In a pressure cooker, cook (overnight soaked) beans for 15 mins or until turned soft. You can also add salt in the beans at this time.

4. In a wok, add butter then add onions. When it turns slightly golden, add tomatoes and cajun spice.

5. When tomatoes turn soft, add beans and let it cook for 5 minutes.

6. Meanwhile over the baked hashbrowns, spread cooked beans and then Mac & Cheese.

7. Spread cheese over the layers and bake it for 5 minutes. I used, shredded pepper jack and parmesan.

8. The layers will be set by this time now serve hot.