#BlogchatterBlogHop 6 Things I do to nurture my creative self

Creative activity could be describe as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual

- -- Arthur Korstle

Yes, I truly believe in the above statement. Creative person is always eager to learn something new. Don't you think ? We all are creative. Aren't we ? 

Glad that I am a mother - stay at home mom, after being professional CS life turned into Stay at home mom  made me creative person. Otherwise I wouldn't able to find out my skills and talent. I believe every creative person is Talented. ! 😎

So What do you think a creative self means ?

Creativity is something that allows people to show what they are capable of doing. For the most part, this ability is unique to almost every individual.

---- Joanna Yanez

Joanna definition is relatable. When I look around or I can say our Social Media, tons of moms, people are Creative. Some of them are really Gem. I have learned, still learning and inspiring from them. 

According to me Creative self means you have some skills and you are able to create things by using that skills. These may help you and may inspire others too. More than I am  concentrating on self help 😊

How do I find my creativity ? And why?

Being stay at home mom after ditching your career is stressful. Many moms are going through this and very few can cope up with it.  I even had a depression which almost ruined my mental state as well as my family's peace. And believe me you have to came out from this by yourself only. No one is going to help you. You will find tons of advisers which mostly give out negativity. 

I decided to toss the advice.

How?

When I was pregnant  I  started reading. I discovered blogs, specially international moms blogs which inspire me a lot. Somehow I was able to connect with them and feel glad that I am not alone, a struggling mom!

After almost 1 year of reading I feel I can write. I started slowly writing. And to my surprised I can write, when Mr.Hubby appreciate it. And after almost 3 year I started my blog - Memory flies!

Which things I do to nurture my creative self?

These are 6 things I love to do to have my creative spark.

1.Creative writing experiement :  

I started my writing for fun and while experimenting I learned from scratch. Then slowly I wrote on some Journal style, informative style and then jotting my parenting life too. 

Though I am not that much professional but yes, I like my work when it is get appreciated. And so happy when my blog was selected among top mom blogs in India.

2. Sketching - 

I love painting. I made board in my 20's 😊 Now after so many year want to learn sketching. Thanks to the YouTube where I learned and still learning sketching. 

For me these are my meditation.

3. Bottle painting : 

As I said above I love paiting. I did fabric painting course in my 20s. So try to use that skill. I have had painted these bottles. What is that called - yes,  trash to treasure. 

4. Brainstorm :

There are lots of in my brain. I have to pen down otherwise I lost it.😁Does it happen with you? 

I keep that habit to brainstorm daily-  mostly in the morning when I had my tea and at night when everyone sleeps I utilize that 15 to 20 min. That is the way I keep my creative writing live. 

5. .Yoga /dance /Moving body : 

Earlier I used to go for Zumba session. I like dance workout. With that we used to do Yoga and stretching too. I enjoyed a lot and that was my stress buster.

Currently with babies I jump, run, stretch 😁😀 As much as I can move my body with my babies . But yes moving body on daily basis make you fresh. 

6. Playing creatively with twins : 

As a nuclear family there is no one with us. Once Mr.hubby went to the office and daughters went to the school, me and my twins enjoyed a lot. We played with animals, toys, dolls , pots etc. and then only they get tired and sleep well.😉

Jokes apart but play is very important step in baby's development. Instead of make them sit in front of screen I make sure to give them freedom to explore. 

Check out my baby play ideas on my Instagram page @memoryflies.

Apart from this I like to read books and blogs. Now days unable to get back to my reading but I do read aloud to my kids.

This is the way I keep myself creative which keeps me stress free. 

What is your way for being creative?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads' Cookhouse.

 

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

12 foods to eat while breastfeeding to increase milk supply

Hello guys, it's March!

A very Happy March....filled with fun and color.

Breastfeeding is challenging and it does require lots of patience in our first week of baby. Many mothers often did not able to have proper food while fulfilling the demand of the tiny person. They do not understand that taking food is utmost important thing at that crucial period. Yes, the first 3 to 4 days are very crucial. Whether you are new mom or experienced mom you will get overwhelmed due to the several pain from the body plus handling a new born. Feeding them, changing diapers and sleepless night added more stress to your body and mind.

To survive this mode you must have to eat at least three meal with snacks whenever possible. Baby's Latching and milk supply are interrelated. If your baby able to latch it properly then there is adequate milk supply. Because the more baby will take feed the more milk supply will be there. But for that you need to have proper nutrients as per the body demands.

Disclaimer :  I am not professional. I am sharing my experience. It might help to moms there.

This is my personal experience because I breastfeed my elder one till 2 year. And now this time I am breastfeeding my twins till date. Slowly they are in a weaning process. 😊

The most frequently asked question is how? 

How do you do it?

Do you produce adequate milk?

Does your babies are full?

The answer to all question is : YES 

On first day after delivery my pediatrician told me that I am able to proudce enough milk that can be fulfilled my twins. It took almost 3 days to have milk supply but from very first day  I was breastfeeding my both twin.

When our body start to produce milk ?

Generally our body took 3 days to produce milk. First yellow mucus start to flow and that you have to feed them. As soon as baby born doctor advised to latch them to breast. Whether they able to or not we have to put our areola in our baby's mouth. And then slowly our body start to produce milk. First we did not feel it but as your baby start to latch we have overflowing milk supply.

This is my experience of first week after the baby born. Almost everyone have the same experience I think, but very few whose having medical complications may face the issue. 

What I eat while breastfeeding to have proper milk supply?

Generally Doctor advised to have a balanced meal. But our Nanni and mother have different opinion. They will change your  meal completely. You have to take it at least for 2 and half months. Our Nanni will give such meal which is digestable to us and our new born baby. 

What I had this time while breastfeeding to my twins? 

1. Shatavari Powder : It has been advised by my doctor to have Shatavari in first few weeks. You can have it in water or in milk. It taste sweet. And it increase milk supply specially when you have a problem in first 3 days after delivery.

PS: Google

Shatavari is an Ayurvedic rasayana herb which is also known as the female-friendly herb. It is helpful in menstrual disorders and acts as a uterine tonic. It enhances breast development and increases breast milk production by regulating hormonal balance. 

(Info -Google)

PS: Google

2. Water : Water is the most important drink in everyone's life. But when you breast feed the baby your consumption should be double. My lactation consultant advised me to have 2 glass of water before and after breastfeeding. 

And trust me it really works. When I started feeding to my babies I often felt dehydrated. So I asked my doctor. She told me to have more water. Apart from this drink one full glass of water after every meal. I used to drink lukewarm water. I filled the two thermas and kept near my bed.

PS: Google

3. Milk : Yes, you have to drink plenty of milk. I used to drink 1 full glass of milk in the morning with 2 methi laddu. And then I eat my breakfast that mostly in liquid form. 

I grind the Chapati /paratha in the mixi with homemade ghee and mix with milk. 1 large bowl of milk with this chapati.

Sometimes I had kheer. Specially suji kheer, vermicelli kheer, alive kheer. It should be at least 1 bowl. In every milk item I always add jaggery powder. 

PS : Tarladalal.com

4. Fenugreek Methichi Bhaji 

Methichi bhaji is one of the most important vegetables. It not only boost my milk supply but also I did not face any constipation. I had  clear bowl movement. Which is most important part of moms life after delivery.

This green leafy vegetables should be prepared without green chilli. And it was in liquid form so that I can add grinded chapati or bajara bhakari.

5. Soup : 

I had chicken soup and   mutton Paya soup  twice a week. It was  without red chilli powder. Add up whole garam masala in small quantity. 

You may like to read : 

Tips for healthy eating - new mom

Indian diet for twin pregnancy

Badam Shake for pregnant and breastfeeding moms

6. Moong Dal : 

Moong dal is easy to digest on our tummy and our baby tummies too. So give tadka with rai, jeera, curry leaves, and Garlic (very important ) salt and boil it. Have it with spoon of ghee. 

7. Chicken Curry :

Chicken is easy to digest and it is protein packed. It also help in motion . I had it thrice a week. I am purely non vegetarians and so I like it. It should be prepared in goda masala which is special for new mom's food only. Non spicy and not too much oily.

8. Egg :

You all know very well about eggs nutrition value. I had it almost two in every day. Subject to condition it would be good if it is pure Desi egg. (Gavathi egg)

PS : Google

9. Laddu :

This is one of my favorite item in my meal. I had it in the morning with my milk and then whenever I feel hungry I ate it. The whole laddu tin is in my bedroom only.😋

I had gond laddu and methi laddu. These are required to eat to heal our bones specially our waist (kamar) In our delivery we all know our each bones is cracked (kidding ) but yes somehow it is same. To heal that we need to eat this gond and methi laddu. 

PS: Google

10. Bajara Bhakari 

It is one of the important food which help in produce milk. You should eat it as much as you can. I had it once either in a lunch or in a dinner. 

11. Fish 

Yes, it should be the part of your meal. Fish are filled with omega 3 which is required for a new mom. I had Bombay Duck which is easy go digest. Yes I had it in fried items just one piece. And mostly I had fish curry which is made in goda ma'sala. It taste yumm. 

PS : Google

12 : Fruits 

I ate Apples, pear, grapefruit and orange. Mostly C vitamin is the most important to my body. And I don't like to eat tablet. So for that I took Lemon water and fresh Orange juice.

These are 12 food which I ate and I had enough milk supply in first months. I ate only paratha and bhakari for first 20 days. Then slowly I started rice like 1 tbsp ans then increase the quantity. By having these meal me and my babies do not have any gas issue. 

Apart from this I had mukhaashuddi - it is mixture of ajwain, balshepa, dry coconut, and badishop. I used to ate it after my each meal. It helps in digestion , cough, and cold of both mummy and babies.

I am Maharashtrian. Every state has its own food culture. I shared mine - the most basic and most important food which increase my milk supply and had healthy postpartum period.

And most important accept your body. Time heal everything. I leraned to enjoy each phase of our life. And do not take stress.

What kind of food you had when you were breastfeeding ?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads' Cookhouse.

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

Poem - My Valentine

Valentine Day is a special day. Though we never celebrate it. Just exchange not exchange I took chocolates from Mr. Hubby. I do not exchange even gifts😁 

Because after 4 days his birthday is there. And we as a family always celebrate it in jallosh. This time will be two more family members added, who were now having wiggly walk. Hope we would have a birthday party at home 🤞🏻

Anyway, as I found I can write a poem 😀 ( seriously guys tell me whether I can continued ?) Wrote a small poem to my Valentine.

Yes, Mr. Hubby liked it very much. And then off course I have to share it on my blog. Right ? 

This is us. We are almost like a friend. And I love to snatch Chocolate, his shorts, new t-shirts, new jackets almost everything. 😆 

Let's jump into the poem.

       My Valentine 

Achcha lagata hain,

Tere saath pagalpanti karna,

Chote bachcho jaise shaitani karna,

Itne bade hogaye hain hum,

Par lag ta hain,

Abhi to mile the tum.

Wo chhenna tera hatose chocolate

Par tere liye Ice cream rakhna,

Wo tera mere liye noodles Lana,

Sirf muje pasand hain,

Isliye saath mein khana,

Achacha lagta hain yaar

Tere saath har pal bitana,

Achcha lagata hain,

Fir se chota bachcha hona.

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY - MY LIFELINE

By

Neeta Kadam

So how we celebrate this time? 

Mr. Hubby bought chocolate for me and my daughter. (So that there will be no jhagda for chocolate😉) 

And then we had our family favorite Chicken Galloti Kabab. 

Unfortunately no picture. Enjoyed our day with mindfulness. 😋 Goal of the year to be more mindful. 

And the day ended up with ice creams. 

How do you celebrate your Valentine Day ? Our was low profile as per our current seasons 😎🤠 

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

Day in life of twins 8 months

As as twin mom everyone looking like "awwww' and the same question ,"How do you manage? " So here I am sharing my twin schedule which we followed mostly. Every week is my goal to stick to it. 😊😇

Having twins is our choice. We are blessed to have my twin girls. Yes! It was very difficult postpartum journey. But we as a family managed it. I learned that TIME IS TEMPORARY AND WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIFE FULLY WITH THAT TIME.

Special thank you for appreciation on my creative post. I want to mention that bottle painting is my hobby and I used to do always. But this time I did it only in my pregnancy.

Postpartum = Stress 

To reduce it I try to keep myself busy. Whenever my mind get overwhelmed I do meditation. Sketching and painting is my meditation. Trying to do it at least for 30 minutes. 😊

Anyway it is too much of gyan😁 

I hope if you are twin mom and reading my blog post, it will helpful to you. I put my twin baby on the same schedule. Life is little bit easier. 

It is the General schedule of my twin girls of 8 months old. 😊

Let's jump into the post.

1. Wake up : 8: 30 to 9 :00 am

Generally they woke up around 8  and take feed up to 8:30 (both). Then they used to play if they are content. 

2. Feed : as soon as after wake up.

First feed is as soon as they woke up. Sometimes takes for long time. Sometimes hardly for 5 minutes.

Then it was kitchen time to make the breakfast for my 3 kids and for myself. I try to keep it simple as much as possible with intentions of eating healthy food. Mostly I preferred to make kid friendly breakfast. So that everyone can eat. 

3. Breakfast : 10: 00 to 10:30 a.m. 

Twins have porridge most of the time with variety Like - Oats porridge, Rice porridge, Ragi porridge, Semolina porridge, Moongdal porridge. Some time I add up fruits like chikko, apple, banana. Sometimes make it plain.

After that I start TV yes screen time around 11 :00 am for poems because I have to do other works too. Tiffin for my elders one, her study and make her ready. Meanwhile doing one load of laundry too. 

4. Play time : up to 12:00 pm

Once my elder one leave the home for school. Screen is off. They played up to 12 p.m. somedays play very well. Someday they used to be cranky. Then I massage and bath both of them.

5. Sleep 12: 30 pm to : 3:00 pm

During this time I took shower and eat lunch. I have a cook who help me in twins bath and prepare lunch and dinner for us.

6. Lunch : 3:30 to 4 : 30 pm

Around 3 pm they get up and played at least half and hour. Then I serve them lunch.

Generally I gave them khichadi with variety of vegetables.

Then they used to play up to 5:30 

Waiting for her didi she came home around 5:45 pm. I took both of them down to the to pick my elder one. They enjoy lift time.

7. Snack time : 6 :00 pm

We have our snacks together. 

My twins love to have murmura. They eat it by themselves. Sometimes I gave them carrot, chapati depends what we have in the kitchen.

Then they get tired and sleep.

8. Sleep : 6 :30 pm to 7:00 pm

Second nap time is around 6:30 but both sleep only for half and hour.

9. Daddy time : 7:30 

It is special time and they are waiting for Daddy. He play with them. I quickly go to kitchen. Make preparation for next day husband tiffin, our breakfast. And sit with elder one to study.

10. Dinner :  8:30  pm

I served dinner my kids around 8:30 p.m. Mostly it is soup with fruit. Prefer to give finger food.

And then we have our family dinner around 9 pm

11.Sleep : 10 to 10 :30 pm ( with night wakes up for feeding )

Daddy prepare them for sleep. Payjama and iron dose. Then we make the room dark and make them sleep. Still we are trying to sleep train them. My goal is to make them sleep on their own without my feed.😇

Time to say good night. 

Hope you like my post. Share your suggestion too. That will helpful me.

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

How to make Sabudana Vada

Good food is equals to good mood. 

I always want to start our family weekend in a helathy way. It is relaxing and we generally get up late. So most of the time breakfast is special. Because it is family time and everyone is present for the first meal. 

Sabudana wada is nothing but the dumpling made up of the mixture of sago, potato and penaut with some spices. In India it is mostly consider as the Fast meal. 

It is one of famous street food and traditional fasting dish of Maharashtra. Every person in Maharashtrian family like this dish. Basically it is fritters and taste yummy when served with coconut chutney or curd accompained hot ginger tea.😋

I never keep any fast nor my hubby have it.😉 But this is one of my favorite food. I can have it in breakfast or lunch or in dinner too.

Anything traditional and yummy takes a time to prepare. My key to have yummy homemade food is the meal preparation. I always planned my meal and now with my busy twin baby schedule it is must to have meal plans. Otherwise we ended up in spending money 😐

So what are the Pre-preparation :

1. Soak sabudana at night. Wash it through with normal tap water. And fill it only up to it soak sabudana. It is trick. Make sure water should not come over to the sabudana. The level of water should be soaking the sabudana.

2. Boil potatoes and cool it and keep in fridge. Do not over boil them. Just 3 whistle are enough for my cooker. 

3. Roast peanut and remove skin and grind it in mixi jar to make a powder.

4. Grate coconut, peel garlic , wash green chilli and keep ready in a fridge for chutney. 

5. If you love to eat with curd then prepare that also. Add 1 tsp curd to 200 ml lukewarm milk and cover it. Keep that at warm place. Next morning you will have homemade thick curd too.

Now you are ready for the next day. Because most of the work has been done.👍🏻In the morning prepare first chutney and then fry sabudana wada.

How to make sabudana vada ?

Ingredients: 

Sabudana 1 cup

Potatoes 2 large

Peanut powder 1/2 cup

Ginger 1/2 inch

Green Chillies as per taste

Salt as per taste

Coriander 1/4 cup.

Direction : 

1. Pressure cook potato for 3 whistle or boil in a pan and mash them.

2. Dry roast peanut and crushed them in a powder.

3. Now mix everything mashed potato, crushed peanut powder, green chilli, jeera, chopped coriander, and form a dough.

4. Grease oil in your hand and make small balls from that dough. Press slightly so that it can shape in tikki. Make 10 to 15 tikki at one time only. Keep it ready to fry. 

5. Heat oil in a pan. Then drop small portion of the dough to check the oil. If that portion float on a oil it means your oil tempreature is right to fry the vada.

6. Take one vada and slowly add in a hot oil. Let them fry on medium heat. do not touch them. Once they take a firm shape and turns in golden colour then slowly turn them. Fry until it turns in golden yellow. Fry all vadas in the same way.

7. Your sabudana vada is ready.

8. Serve with coconut chutney or curd.

Healthy Version:

Deep fry means lot of calories. 😁 There are other ways to make it healthier. 

How ?

1. Use appe pan for frying vada instead of deep fry.

2. You can shallow fry them. As I showed in picture. I always shallow fry my vada.

3. You can use air frier to make this wada.

4. Instead of vada you can make thalipeeth of the same batter and roast it on pan with ghee.

The yummy breakfast recipe is ready in 20 minutes. Right?

Some To Do

1. It is not advisable to eat fry items but once in a month it is okay.

2. It is authentic Maharashtrian recipe.

4. While eating our traditional recipe do not count carb and calorie. Have it in Healthy manner.

What is your favourite go to weekend breakfast recipe? Share in comment box. 

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Make a Wish Box.

 

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

Poem - Struggle

Every single person is going through a struggle. 

STRUGGLE

Bachapan se leke abhi tak 

Hardum mere saath,

Saya bhi chodta hain daman,

Par tuni nahi choda saath,

Kaisebhi ho halat 

Hamesha tha hato mein haat

Jindagi ka har mod,

Na tha kabhibhi asan,

Itna kyun pasand karata hain tu,

Jawab to de mere yaar

Bas kar ab tang karna,

Ab to chain se jeene de yaar!

By

Neeta Kadam

PS : TheFunnyBeaver.com

©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

Year End Review of 2022

Happy new year 2023. 

My yearly review is always restricted to my journal only. But this time I came across these prompts on pintrest and so jotted down. It is little bit differnt version of year end review and I loved it.

This is the best year in my life. Twin baby and my life and my family life has completely changed. Our priority, our health, our eating habit everything has changed. And we as a family enjoyed it very well. 

What was like in the beginning?

2022 beginning was quite tough. With small twin baby, feeding, bathing, handling my elder one and the most important staying sane.

What worked well and what didn't?

In the early period of delivery, being c section I was obviously expected a help. Though I have a house help. But it didn't worked. 

Trying and trying and goes with flows. It worked. With the help of my elder one I handled everything. 

Able to concentrating on being creative on my Instagram page. Did everything which makes me happy. Reading, writing blog post, dancing with my elder one, drawing, creating reel and making some delicious foods too. 

What was the most important conversation and connection?

The connection was with my family inside my home. With my babies, they understood more 😊my mature elder one, 🤗 and Mr. Hubby. The connection we developed was incredible. 

Conversation with my blogger friends. Yep, I write 24 post in this year. Whhooo...! Patted on myself 😊

What was the best entertainment?

Screen time was so far I hooked on Netflix but able to saw only 2 webseries of K -drama. Arya, mismatched. Gilmore Girl and some kids movie on our movie date at home.

Our Family entertainment shows was Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra 😁 Where you forget your all stress and laugh from the bottom of your belly🤣

Who mattered?

My kid, Mr.Hubby , my one and only friend Anu,  who was constantly with me and You. Greatful to have you as a reader and your comments gives me more boost to write more blog post.

What changed?

I become more emotionally confident. Improve myself more the way I expected.

Earlier I used to write only when I think it will be best post. And it will goes one post in two three month.  

I joined Bloggers community and fellow blogger inspire me to write. 

I wrote my first ever fiction story which was top blog post in the community.

But I will continue to write more about my experience. I think we all get inspired by each others experience. 

Where did you find happiness and fulfillment?

Within my families. Able to feed, bath to my babies. Provide clean clothes, 3 meals 😇 to my family. 

Happiness is spending time with my kiddos. 

Spend time with my big family at family function. We had marriage and we thoroughly enjoyed.😁

What are your intentions for 2023?

Maintain boundaries within family, friends and outsiders.

Forget, forgive but don't allow them to enter your life again.

Choose the people who choose you.

Stay away from selfish friends and relatives.

Focus on myself, my inner growth and self development.

Read, read and read more offline and online too. And write more post on my blog mindfully.

Thank you for being here! 

How was your 2022? Are you reviewing it?