Ten Don’ts for Expectant Mothers

1. Never bend down your back to pick up things from floor. Instead fold your knees and sit down to pick them. Do not pick anything that is heavy.

2. Don’t eat food that increases body heat too much, for example raw papaya, pineapple and jaggery (or raw brown sugar), at least for the first trimester.

3. Do not walk very fast. Go for walks and keep doing the normal exercises, but all at medium pace. Do not run up or down the flight of stairs. ALWAYS take one step at a time and at medium pace.

4. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or take street drugs. Do not take painkillers without consulting your doctor. Don't take too much caffeine. Caffeine reduces calcium and water in your body, raises stress hormones, and can change your baby’s heart rate. Do limit caffeine consumption to 1-2 cups a day.

5. Protect yourself and your baby from foodborne illness, which can cause serious health problems and even death. Handle, clean, cook, eat, and store food properly.

6. Don’t take very hot baths or use hot tubs or saunas. High temperatures can be harmful to the foetus, or cause you to faint.

7. Don’t use scented feminine hygiene products. Pregnant women should avoid scented sprays, sanitary napkins, and bubble bath. These products might irritate your vaginal area, and increase your risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast infection.

8. Avoid x-rays. If you must have dental work or diagnostic tests, tell your dentist or physician that you are pregnant so that extra care can be taken.

9. Avoid contact with cat litter, cat litter box, rodents and with their urine, droppings, or nesting material. This includes household pests and pet rodents, such as guinea pigs and hamsters. Rodents can carry a virus that can be harmful or even deadly to your unborn baby.

10. Protect yourself and your baby from foodborne illness, which can cause serious health problems and even death. Handle, clean, cook, eat, and store food properly.

Nutrition provided by various Fruits and Vegetables

Healthy food is necessary for a Stress Free Life. Nutritious and balanced diet is a must to keep you free from the physical and mental diseases and relieve stress.

Apples are rich in vitamins and help to reduce risks of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.

Radishes and their greens provide an excellent source of vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory properties too. Radish leaves are a good source of calcium. Radishes contain cancer-protective properties.

Chives are known for their beneficial effect on the digestive system and blood pressure. Chives are said to reduce the risk of several types of cancers.

Coconut is known for its antifungal, anti bacterial properties: Coconut oil is also very good for head massage.

Cherries reduce pain and inflammation: Cherries are good source of many vitamins, minerals and are tasty to eat.

Plums lowers age-related macular degeneration: Plums are sweet, juicy and are a good source of Vitamin c, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 and Potassium.

Spinach is an excellent source of Iron and Calcium. It is good for healthy eyes.

Beetroots rich in potassium and fibre: Beetroots contains good amount of folic acid, potassium and manganese. They are less in calories and are effective in curing skin problems.

Cauliflower is good for the heart and reduces the risk of cancer: Cauliflower is highly nutritious and is effective in curing many ailments. It is rich in folic acid and is good for pregnant woman.

Mangoes are rich in Iron and Vitamins: Mangoes supply ample potassium, making them ideal for hypertensive patients or anyone looking to replenish energy after physical activity

Tomatoes reduce the risk of heart attack: Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant.

Musk Melon - Tropical Delight : Musk melon is a tropical fruit which is been cultivated for a very long time. It is a rich source of vitamin 'C' and is effective in reducing body heat.

Cabbage helps cure ulcers and prevents colon cancer: Cabbage is a well known common vegetable. It is low in calories and is long known for its healing properties.

Bitter Gourd - Health Benefits: Bitter Gourd is a tropical vegetable. It is a well known cure for diabetes.

Avocado - for fitness and health : Avocado is rich in potassium content. The fruit is also a good source of vitamins.

Papaya - A rich source of Minerals and Fibre: Papaya has high nutritional benefits. It is rich in Anti-oxidants, Minerals and Fibre. It also helps in Skin Treatments.

Oats - Fibre food that cures constipation: Oats have some unique fatty acids and antioxidants which together with Vitamin E slow cell damage.

Nutritional benefits of Watermelon: Watermelon is highly refreshing during summer. It does not contain cholesterol and helps in eye sight also.

Nutritional benefits of Banana : Banana helps in the treatment of Depression, Anaemia, Blood Pressure, Brain power, Constipation, etc.

Almond: A highly Nutritious fruit : Consumption of Almond lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases and gives overall wellness

Calcium: The bone builder: Calcium Builds Strong Bones. Get calcium from greens, beans, or fortified foods. Vitamin D controls your body's use of calcium.

Gooseberry (Amla): Rich in Vitamin C: Gooseberry has many nutritious benefits. The gooseberry has been found to be the most abundant source of Vitamin C in the plant kingdom.

Mixed Bhaji Paratha

Here is the recipe of parathas that are highly nutritious. Since I just made them while experimenting and I am no professional cook, I cannot give you exact measures of the ingredients. But in these parathas remember that the quantity of flour should be just enough to bind the leaves and not more. Plus if you use one cup wheat flour then the total quantity of all the other flours should not exceed one cup else the dough will be quiet sticky.

Ingredients: Fenugreek leaves
Spinach
Coriander leaves
Mint leaves
Gram flour
Whole wheat flour
Suji
Turmeric
Salt
Recipe: Soak all the leaves in water for 10 minutes. Wash them again in drinking water. Drain them and chop them finely. Now put them in a large bowl and add all flour, salt, turmeric powder in it. Bind them into a tight dough using minimum of water or CURD if desired. Remember that the dough should be very tight as the leaves leave water and the dough automatically becomes lose after some time. Make balls out of it and roll them into round chapatti/paratha. Cook them on the griddle using minimum of ghee.
You can also add Amaranthus leaves (red/green) and jwar or bajra flour. Also oat meal can be added. It makes the parathas more crispier. Use minimum of ghee to avoid fat. Also these can be roasted over flame to make them rotis which taste good especially when served hot.
Serve these parathas/chapattis with curd or even tomato sauce as they have all the nutrition rolled together. Now no worry 

DD's Range of Wholesome Chapatis and Parathas

Dear Friends, here I have come with a range of chapatis and parathas which can serve as a wholesome food filled with proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins et al.
Kids generally do not like nutritious food, at least mine directly say, “Mamma we just love JUNK FOOD!” or “Mummy I HATE dal!” and sentences like these.
So, I came up with the idea of giving them all this in a wrap that they would enjoy.
In this section you will get various recipes, I’m sure that you have yours too. Cutlets, pasta, pulaw, macaroni, wrap whatever. So, why not share them with others through this page. Do post me your recipes and we shall add them in this blog under your name…..