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Why Arrival of Second Baby is Awesome
Most women are indecisive when thinking about having a second child. Taking care of a child is not an easy task. But, with so many women opting to have a second child, the idea is definitely not all that unthinkable. Find out why having a second child is awesome.
The arrival of your first born changed your world, but your love for him made you adjust to all the changes. Now that you are used to your little one's routine, are you contemplating bringing in a sibling for him? Well, that is definitely a very good idea. You might feel indecisive about this at times, but trust us, having a second baby would be awesome for you as well as for your little one. Here, we share our views as to why you should have a baby number two.
The Joy of Getting Another Baby Home
1. You Know What to Expect
You did not have any idea about what to expect when you were pregnant the first time around. Everything was new to you. Second pregnancies and deliveries are far easier than the first one, because now you have a first hand experience as to what is coming and what you should do. Another thing to note is that second deliveries are usually quicker than the firsts.
2. Recycled Clothes and Toys
Your first born has outgrown all the baby clothes, toys and baby accessories that you had bought with so much love and thought. You do not have the heart to donate them, pass on, or throw them away. Well, the arrival of a second child ensures that all these beautiful things are put to use again.
3. Sharing and Caring
The greatest benefit of having another baby is that your children learn the importance of sharing and caring, which a single child does not learn easily. With two children growing up in the house, you would find it easier to teach them to share their toys, books and all other things.
4. New Learning
The arrival of a new baby sibling instills newer feelings in your first born. Your first child will become more responsible and would lend you a helping hand. As they grow up, the elder child would be able to help the younger child with many things; from studying together to learning to ride a bicycle, siblings are always fun! This would inculcate in both the children a habit of supporting and learning from each other.
5. Always a Friend
Many parents with a single child face the problem of their child feeling lonely. This is a problem you would never have to face if you plan on having a second baby, as he would always be a friend to your first child and vice versa. Do not let their little squabbles get to you and be rest assured that your child will always have a companion.
So, you see, planning to have a second child is actually a very good idea. You can once again go through the fulfilling experience of pregnancy and motherhood and have a complete family too. Your first born will have a friend for life, and growing together the two children would learn many a valuable lessons of life. Read more
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5 Makar Sankranti Recipes to Sweeten the Flavour of the Festival
Makar Sankranti is a popular harvest festival celebrated in India. Although Makar Sankranti is known by different names in the different parts of the country, the zest to celebrate this festival remains the same all over India. This ancient festival of Hindus is observed according to solar cycles. Makar Sankranti denotes the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign, Capricorn (Makar), which marks the beginning of the sun’s journey towards the north (Uttarayan). From this day onwards, the days begin to be longer, and the cold wintry days make way for the surreal spring.
In India, no celebration is complete without sweets. The same holds true for Makar Sankranti. So, why wait, when food is the topic of our discussion? We bring some authentic Makar Sankranti sweet recipes for you. Do give them a try!
5 Sweets To Make This Makar Sankranti
This auspicious festival has its own traditional and savoury treats. We know you want to make them too, and you can - they are simple enough to prepare at home! Here are a few Makar Sankranti favourites that you can make this year.
1. Tilgul Vadi
Tilgul vadi is made with jaggery and sesame seeds and is one of the traditional Makar Sankranti sweets. In Maharashtra, people give this sweet to their near and dear ones, and greet, ‘Tilgul ghya god bola’, which means ‘eat this sweet and talk sweetly or politely’. Here goes the recipe -
Ingredients
Jaggery (Gur) - 3/4 cup
Sesame seeds - 3/4 cup
Roasted and ground peanuts - 1/4 cup
Ghee (Clarified butter) - 1 tbsp
Milk - 1-2 tbsp
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Dry grated coconut - 1/2 tbsp
How to Make
Roast the sesame seeds till they turn golden brown.
Allow the sesame seeds to cool; later, grind half the portion to form a coarse powder, and keep aside.
Heat a pan and melt the jaggery in it on a low flame.
Once the jaggery melts and forms bubbles, turn off the flame.
Add the sesame seeds, sesame powder, roasted peanut powder, cardamom powder, ghee, and milk to the melted jaggery.
Stir the mixture well; it should be lumpy now.
Grease a rolling board and rolling pin with some ghee.
Transfer the jaggery mixture to the rolling board and roll it to form a circle. The flattened jaggery should be thick.
Sprinkle the dry grated coconut and sesame seeds on the rolled mixture evenly, and gently roll the pin on it so that the coconut and sesame seeds get embedded in it.
Let it cool, then cut into squares.
Eat away and share with your family members too.
2. Peanut Chikki
Peanut chikki is another sweet made during Makar Sankranti, Lohri, or Pongal. It is made with jaggery and is a perfect sweet to gorge on to keep your body warm. Let’s take a look at the recipe of this sweet delight.
Ingredients
Roasted, husked peanuts - 1 cup
Jaggery powder - 1/2 cup
Water
Oil - 1 tsp
How to Make
Jaggery Syrup
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and put jaggery powder in it. You can also use a jaggery block if you like.
Add some water to it.
Keep stirring the powder so that the jaggery powder dissolves completely.
Cook the jaggery syrup on a low flame, and let it cook till it turns hard.
To check the consistency of the jaggery syrup, take a bowl of cold water and put a drop of jaggery syrup in it. The drop should turn solid and crack easily after you take it out from the water.
The syrup should be firm but sticky.
Peanut Chikkis
When the jaggery syrup reaches the desired consistency, add peanuts to it, and mix well.
Turn off the flame and quickly pour the mixture on a plate greased with ghee.
Spread the mixture evenly on the plate using a rolling pin. The flattened mixture should be around 1 cm thick.
Cut into rectangles, and eat once it cools.
3. Murmura Laddoo
Murmura laddoos are perfect if you want something sweet and crispy. Murmura laddoos made with puffed rice and molten jaggery taste delicious and are a popular Makar Sankranti sweet.
Ingredients
Grated jaggery - 3/4 cup
Murmura (Puffed rice) - 3 cups
Ghee (Clarified butter) - 1 tbsp
How to Make
Heat a pan and dry roast the murmura on a low flame for 2 minutes. Transfer it to a bowl and keep aside.
In the same pan, heat the ghee on a low flame and add jaggery to it. Keep stirring the jaggery to melt it.
When the jaggery melts completely, add the murmura and mix them together gently.
Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool for a minute.
Grease your palms with ghee and take a handful of the mixture in your palm.
Make a ball by pressing the mixture between your palms. However, be very careful as the murmura and jaggery mixture will be hot.
Make a few more with the remaining mixture and your murmura laddoos will be ready for the festival.
4. Patishapta
Makar Sankranti is known as Poush Sankranti in Bengal; come this festival, and you will find delicious sweets in every Bengali household. Patishapta is one such yummy sweet that Bengalis make during this festival. Patishaptas are thin crepes made with refined flour, semolina, and rice flour. Here’s the recipe -
Ingredients
For the batter
All purpose flour (maida) - 1 cup
Semolina (rawa) - 1/2 cup
Rice flour - 1/4 cup
Milk - 2 cups
Oil as required
Filling
Desiccated coconut - 3 cups
Jaggery - 1 cup
Dry fruits
Khoya
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
How to Make
Filling
Heat a deep wok on low flame. Dry-roast the desiccated coconut in the wok for 2 minutes.
Add the jaggery to it and mix well. Alternatively, you can also use sugar or condensed milk.
Keep mixing the two ingredients; jaggery will take some time to melt, so be patient.
Once you notice that the coconut and jaggery mixture is not sticking to the pan, add khoya to it.
Stir it continuously for 2 - 3 minutes.
Add cardamom and dry fruits of your choice.
Mix the dry fruits and turn off the flame.
Transfer it to a wide plate, and let it cool.
Patishaptas
Take the maida, rawa, and rice flour in a bowl. Mix well.
Slowly, add milk to the above mixture and keep mixing it. It should not have lumps in it.
Keep the mixture aside for half an hour.
Heat a non-stick pan and add a little amount of oil to it.
Pour a ladle full of batter on the pan, spreading it evenly. It should look like a small dosa. Once the crepe turns pale golden, flip it to cook the other side.
Take 1-2 tbsp of the filling in your palm; place it lengthwise in the centre of the patishapta, and cover it with the edges.
Press it gently with a spatula to give it a shape of a frankie.
Serve warm or cold.
5. Sakkarai Pongal
Sakkarai Pongal or sweet Pongal is one of the many popular dishes prepared in Tamil Nadu during Pongal. It is usually made with gram, jaggery, rice, and dry fruits. Here’s the recipe for you. Try it at home.
Ingredients
Raw rice - 1 cup
Moong dal - 1/4 cup
Grated jaggery - 1 cup
Cashews - 2 tbsp
Raisins - 1 tbsp
A small pinch of edible camphor
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Ghee (Clarified butter) - 1/2 cup
Water as required
How to Make
Dry roast the dal in a heavy-bottomed pan till it turns fragrant. Leave it to cool.
Wash the dal and rice thoroughly.
Mix them and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
Meanwhile, heat a pan and take the jaggery in it. Add some water and melt the jaggery.
Stir it well till the jaggery turns thick and sticky. Once it turns thick, turn off the flame and keep aside.
The dal and rice will be cooked by now. Remove the lid and mash them well.
Take the mashed dal and rice in a deep wok; add the jaggery syrup to it, and mix. Next, add cardamom powder to it, and cook on a low flame till the mixture starts to bubble. Turn off the flame.
Heat a pan, and add some ghee to it. Fry cashews till they turn golden-brown in colour.
Add the fried cashews, raisins, and camphor to the dal-rice-jaggery mixture and stir it.
Your sakkarai pongal is ready.
So, these are some sweets that you can make for Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is almost upon us, so get busy making these sweet treats. Give the store-bought sweets a miss this year, instead, make them at home. Happy Makar Sankranti!
Also Read
Makar Sankranti Activities for Family
Information about Makar Sankranti Festival for Kids
Popular Festivals of India - Facts for Children Read more
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. hi mam for 2days I am seeing my baby bumb decreasing is it cause of worry?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. I don’t know how the bumps of your child decreasing that’s not fair to me second you have not mentioned the current age of your child to do it and there is no clarity in the query it would be difficult for me to help us so if you don’t mind can you please repost with all the necessary details associated with your question
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 hours ago
Q. Hello I had my period missed for April month and today I got my period. Is it normal to have period after 1 month or is there anything I should be worried about? Iam worried please let me know if that's ok or should I consult my doctor
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. consult your doctor for any evaluation required. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
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