Food and other useful website links

Food and Recipes:
http://www.shishuworld.com/index.php/2015/08/21/35-breakfast-recipes-for-kids/
http://www.padhuskitchen.com/2013/12/100-simple-indian-breakfast-recipes.html
http://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/dishes-from-leftover-chapatis/
http://www.indusladies.com/food/15-best-indian-oats-recipes/
http://www.parentingnation.in/Kids-(1---3-Yrs)/diet-plan-3-year-old-kids_336
http://www.thehealthsite.com/news/top-51-healthy-recipes-for-breakfast-lunch-dinner-and-snacks/
http://www.indusladies.com/community/threads/recipe-index-for-step-by-step-photos-of-recipes.81341/?pp=40
http://www.indusladies.com/community/threads/check-here-the-recipes-index.128290/?pp=40
http://www.indusladies.com/community/threads/a-z-order-in-chitvish-recipes-for-easy-search.22720/?pp=40
http://www.indusladies.com/community/threads/links-for-various-categories-in-chitvish-recipes.6042/?pp=40
http://www.ice-cream-freaks.com/healthy-ice-cream-recipes.html
http://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com
http://www.bitesforfoodies.com/recipes/
http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/india-resources/india-week-1
http://stilltasty.com/


useful links:
chicago and other events
http://business.oakleesguide.com/list/category/illinois-118


Kids learning and activities:
http://www.kidsplaybox.com/
http://handsonaswegrow.com/50-toddler-activities/
http://www.balagokulam.org/kids/arts/om.php
http://www.parenttoolkit.com/index.cfm?objectid=825B9B70-9D6B-11E3-857E0050569A5318
http://www.isbe.net/homework.htm
https://www.ixl.com/math/kindergarten
http://www.kahani.com/
http://www.kidsgen.com/events/diwali/
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/hinducraftsideasactivitieskidsindia.html
http://artsycraftsymom.com/40-diwali-ideas-cards-crafts-decor-diy/
http://www.artplatter.com/2013/03/crepe-paper-tulips-tutorial/
http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/2-food-groups-and-healthy-eating-learning-sheets


Kids Reading:
http://www.abhivyakti-hindi.org/upanyas/abcd/abcd03.htm
http://downloads.awgp.org/download/literature/146359
http://m.pyaretoons.com//Champak-English/Champak-1986-In-English/Champak-1986-Nov-Page-29/2683/29.html
https://picasaweb.google.com/109799713721952915701/Pinki8?authkey=Gv1sRgCPLompy79IWTbQ#5944989799551075826
http://myindiancomics.blogspot.com/2010/12/other-comics.html
http://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/indian_mythology_stories/krishna_stories.htm
http://www.kidsfront.com/stories-for-kids/greed_a_curse.html
http://onlineindiancomics.blogspot.com/2007/11/41-pinki-8.html


Health is Wealth
http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/acidity-control-and-treatment-through-yoga-and-ayurveda/9608/
https://mynutritionalneeds.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/nutrition-plan-for-children/


Blogs I read
http://www.themomviews.com/
http://www.parentous.com/
http://www.indianamericanmom.com/


Fashion
http://arr.sfglobe.com/2014/12/12/hP0/?src=fbfan_29502


Other
http://www.portea.com/#Doctor
http://www.wisebread.com/fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-by-the-month
https://www.manyship.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/category/dollar-tree/

Fun craft ideas for kids

http://www.listotic.com/29-fun-crafts-kids-adults-will-actually-enjoy/2/

Goody Bag Ideas

Ball

Water Bottle

Scrunchies or hair bows

Socks

Sports Doll

Baseball hat

Sports collectors cards

Sunglasses

Stop watch

Other items with images of sports balls on them (a wallet, a pen)

Sidewalk chalk

Jump Rope

Knee pads, elbow pads

Squirt Guns

Kite

Markers

Fun colored paper

Notepads

Stamps

Stickers

Hair accessories (barrettes, clips, colored elastics)

Small purse

Board books

Water gun

Water balloons

Frisbee

Beach Towel

Sunglasses

Flip flops

Sandbox toys

Gardening tools

Vegetable seeds

Bug catching box

Watercolor paints

Painting smock (Ikea has great ones!)

Puzzles

Travel game

Giant Bouncy Ball

Dress-up clothes

Lip gloss

Bubble Bath

Bath Fizzy

Nail Polish

Small Rubber Animals

Cars

Small Race Track

Legos

Pool toy

Mad Libs

Apron

Play food (felt or wood is fun)

Cookie cutters

Fun cup or Sippy cup

Play dough

Glow in the dark bands

Swimming Goggles

Bubble gun

Bike Accessories (helmet, knee pads, streamers, etc)

ITunes gift card

ABC Magnets

Mini Etch-a-sketch

Colorful Socks

I have elected my President

I was driving my kids to home from their montessori school and was having a chat with them about their day at school.


We got talking and I asked my 6-year old about what she wants to be when she grows up. Her regular answer is a teacher, and she has stuck to her career option for as long as I can remember. However, since President's Day was around the corner, the school was teaching kids all about it. So, she said she wants to be the President of the World. Hoping to receive an interesting reply, I asked her why does she want to be one.


She said "I want to be the President of the World, so that when I die, I can be remembered about all the good deeds I did, and the children will be taught about me in their school."
I was surprised and proud at the same time. I flashed a quick smile of pride to my daughter through the rear mirror, and she smiled back with confidence.


With so much going on in this world, and the so called leaders fighting to attain higher positions in life for their own selfish motives, and not thinking about their people, I hear a honest and innocent reply from a 6-year old.


With elections currently going on in the United States to choose the best President for the country, I can proudly say that I have elected my President...of the World!

Birthday Party games

http://www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/fun-birthday-party-games-2-3-4.htm


Party Games for 2, 3 and 4 years old

Bubbles
Kids love bubbles. Blow bubbles and see if they can pop the bubbles before they hit the floor.  Then see who can catch bubbles on their wand. If you have older children attending the party see who can blow the biggest or smallest bubble.  Give away bubbles as party favors - print out large labels with your child's picture  and "Thank you for sharing my ___ birthday!"  See our huge list of fun games to play with bubbles which includes homemade bubble recipes.

Color Time! Write children's names on the back of large pieces of poster board and let guests use markers, paints  and/or crayons to color all over the paper.  Tape the paper to the top of a table, or if it is nice outside make a easel by  taping the poster board to a fence.

Print out color sheets that coordinate with your party theme (there are free color sheets available on the internet) and let guests have fun coloring together.

Dancing
2, 3 and 4 year olds love to dance.  Play music and let them freestyle dance at the birthday party. 

Duck Duck Goose Game
Children sit next to each other in a large a circle on the floor. The first child (patter) starts by walking around the outside of the big circle and patting the head of each child. Every time they pat a head they call out "duck". Then they choose one person to be the goose and yell "GOOSE!" when they pat their head.   The “patter” then runs clockwise around the circle and tries to sit down in the place of the goose before the goose tags them.  If the goose tags the patter then the goose sits back down and the patter starts again. If the goose doesn’t tag the patter then the goose becomes the patter and the game starts again.

Game Variation: Use your birthday party theme with this game: Buzz, Buzz, Sting for a Bug Party; Tick, Tick, Tock for a Pirate Party

Duck Pond Grab Game
Birthday party guests pick rubber ducks out of a wading pool - they win a prize according to the number on the bottom of the duck. Write the numbers 1 - 4 (repeat numbers according to how many ducks you have) on the bottom of the ducks and place in pool. In back of the pool have 5 baskets with different prizes and number the baskets 1 through 4.  Guests pick up a duck to see what number is on the bottom then win the prize that corresponds to that number.   If the birthday party guest picks up a duck with a number 4 on the bottom, they get a prize from the number 4 basket. It’s a simple game, but children love it!   Tip: Instead of ducks use floating objects that relate to your birthday party theme.  The more ducks the better - give them away as favors after the birthday party. 
Fox and Hen Game
Have children sit on the floor in a large circle.  Give two bean bags to two children that are opposite each other in the circle.  Name the first bean bag the "Hen" and the second  the "Fox".  Children pass the bean bags around the circle to see if the fox can catch the hen.   

Hokey Pokey
Children love this simple game and it is fun to play at a birthday party.  Have children stand in a circle.  The leader begins the song and have everyone join in.  Leader puts their right arm in the circle and sings "You put your right arm in ... you take your right arm out ... you put your right arm in and you shake it all about .. you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around and that's what it's all about! While singing the song put your right arm in the circle, take your right arm out, put your right arm in and then shake it up and then down, then have your index fingers point to the sky while turning in a circle, clap the last line of the song ... That's what it's all about! 

Limbo Game
Have 2 older kids or adults hold the Limbo pole (use a broomstick, feather boa or rope) about 3 feet from the ground.  Line up the kids and play some fast paced music.  One at a time the kids will try and go under the Limbo stick without touching it.  If they touch it then they can be out for that round or for younger kids let them stay in an keep playing.  After everyone goes under the Limbo stick lower it a few inches.

Mystery Fish Game
Kids get prizes from mystery fish!  A fun game that keeps the kids wondering who is in the water giving out the prizes!  You will need lots of small prizes to give away because kids like to play this game over and over.  

Make a fishing pole from a stick or bamboo pole by tying string to one end and a clothespin to the other end. The water needs to be big enough for the "fish" not to be seen - an appliance or large cardboard box will work ... or simply place a blue tablecloth over a table and have the fish sit under it.  

Kids will throw their line over into the water and the "fish" attach a prize to their line.   

Parade
Kids turning 2, 3 and 4 love parades. Make your own birthday party parade by giving children musical instruments - drums, shakers, horns, etc. and have them follow you around the house or yard playing their "birthday song".    Or have the children follow you with streamers or ribbons and have a dance parade.  If the children all have doll strollers or wagons let them parade with their dolls and stuffed animals. 

Pin the tail on the Donkey Games
This game can be easily changed to fit your party theme.  Make it original and special by using a character or object from the birthday theme such as pinning a nose on a clown, a tutu on a ballerina, etc. Place a drawing or large poster of the donkey or a character on the wall.  Make objects (such as clown noses or tiaras) that the kids will try and stick onto the poster.  Make a large outline on the poster of where the target is so you will know who got the closest to the target.   Line up the kids and one by one blindfold them and give them their object with tape on the back.  Tell them to try and get their object as close as possible to where they think the target is on the poster.   The player who tapes their object the closest to the target wins! 

Prize Walk Birthday Game
A fun party game and also a fun way for the kids to learn their numbers.  It is played similar to a cake walk ... instead of giving cakes as prizes you give out small prizes or candy.  You could also give out cupcakes.  You will need to write the numbers one through twelve on colorful paper and tape them to the floor in a circle.   Explain to the kids that while the music plays they will walk around the numbers on the circle and when they hear the music stop they will stop on the the number they are standing on.  When the music stops roll two dice.  The number on the dice is the number on the floor that wins a prize.

Ring around the rosy
Children stand in a circle holding hands and walk around in a circle while they sing "Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all ... fall ... down!"  After singing "all fall down", children fall to the ground.  Then repeat! 

Sidewalk chalk
Give children large sticks of chalk and let them draw on the sidewalk, porch are fun for all ages!  Use our sidewalk chalk games and activities idea page for inspiration!  Over 30 fun ways to use sidewalk chalk.

Sock Bean Bag Toss
You will need several new socks in bright colors filled with beans and then tied with a knot to close them.  Make a target board to match your theme by decorating a large box.  Cut 4 or 5 circular holes in the box as targets. 

Stop and Go Dance Game
Play fast music and have the kids dance freestyle.  Then stop the music (or call out "Stop!!") and everyone must stop dancing and "freeze" in that position until you say "Unfreeze".   Then start over and have them dance again.

Treasure Hunting Game
Choose large plastic eggs, balls, party favors or any item from your birthday party theme* and hide them around the living room, backyard or park while the children aren't looking.  Hold up one item like the ones you have hidden and tell them to search and find the items.  The one who finds the most items gets to help hide the objects for the next round.  Have children return the items to a basket and hide the items again... and again.   Extra ... after the games divide the treasure hunt items equally and send them home as party favors.  
Water Brigade Place buckets at each end of the playing field.  A very large one at the start of the game and a smaller one that is empty at the other end of the field.  The two small buckets must be the same size and hold the same amount of water.     You can divide guests into two teams or just have fun with one line.   Give each team a small plastic cup.  The players must dip their cup into the large container filled with water and then run down the field and empty their cup into their teams bucket.  Then run back and hand the cup to the next person in line.   When a teams bucket is full they win!  Great game for a hot summer day!    

Toddler Party Ideas - Toddler birthday party ideas

Party games for girls - Girls birthday party games 

Party games for boys  - Boys birthday party games

Party Games for all ages - Birthday Party Games

2nd Birthday Party Ideas - 2 Birthday Ideas

3rd Birthday Party Ideas - 3 Birthday Ideas

4th Birthday Party ideas - 4 Birthday Ideas

We are always looking for more games for toddlers and for 3 year olds, party games for 4 year olds and party games for 2 year olds!  Please email us your child's favorite birthday party games and we will include them on the website.  Send in 2, 3, 4 year old party game

My entry to This Little Light of Mine Contest by World of Moms in November 2015

I have only one life and I want to make the most of it! -- is my motto that keeps me going and getting excited about life each day.
I do not want to be on the death bed regretting for what could I have done in my life. I read somewhere that the other name for today is "present", and I sincerely believe that each day is a gift from the Almighty.
I am always enthusiastic and excited about what I do each day right from the time I wake up. As soon as I wake up, I thank God for the new day and hope that I remain cheerful all day and make others too in all possible ways I can. I want to dance, sing, draw, learn, laugh, read, write, cook, create, and, even fly!
No points for guessing who is the inspiration behind leading a happy life without any complaints - My angels - my children. With the birth of my two kids, I became the mother of three - with the third being the child in me. I love being silly with them, playing with them, reading to them, and forgetting that there is a world that exists outside of my life with my children. My kids give me life lessons from time to time to remain happy and hopeful, and to love life no matter what.
Quite a cliché' but I strongly believe that whatever happens, happens for good. I do not have any expectations from life. Expectations make one unhappy, acceptance does not. Always accept life as is, and never expect anything from it. There are things not in my control, so why should I worry, and if there are things in my control, then I make sure I at least try to make the situation better. I want to raise happy kids without having any other expectations of them. I don't accept my kids the way they are but I love my kids because of the way they are.
I consider my life nothing short of a movie, where I have multiple roles of being a loving wife, a doting mother, an obedient daughter, a caring friend, a smiling stranger and a compassionate human being; all at the same time. This is a foolproof method to make your life a blockbuster hit, where people will celebrate silver and golden jubilees of your life even after you get released from this world.
In her book "Robert Browning: A Reassessment in the Light of Hindu Vision", the author Arti Gupta correctly states that
"No species superior to the human species is found anywhere on this globe. Thus, birth in the human species, is exceedingly difficult to attain. It is obtained through the exceptional grace of God and it also suggests that freedom of will is denied to all except the human species."
Yes, freedom of will, and my will is to be happy and always remain so...



An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and
lots of smiles a day, keeps worries at bay!
You will always remain happy and gay,
If you learn to live, love, laugh and play!

Diet For Your Blood Group

Blood Type Diet| Diet For Your Blood Group

Have you ever wondered why certain diets work for others and not for you, why you tend to gain weight even with a small helpings of your favorite dish but others don’t. :(( Few months back, I read an article in Times of India regarding ‘Blood Group Diet’, its efficiency, how can we prevent occurrence of various diseases and increase our lifespan. So I thought, why not to share something beneficial with you all? :))

Blood Group Diet is a concept introduced by Dr Peter J D Adamo, author of “Eat right for your Type.” This diet propagates that our blood group determines how our bodies deal with different nutrients. It is based on the ideology that each blood group has its own antigen markers and these markers have different responses with food components. Consequently a diet designed specifically for your blood type allows your body to digest and absorb food more efficiently, with the result that you lose weight. It groups people into:
– High protein/ Meat eaters (Type O)
-Vegetarians (Type A)
– Balanced omnivore (Type B)
– Mixed diet moderation (Type AB).
According to Dr. Peter J D Ádamo, author of Eat Right For Your Type, a chemical reaction occurs between your blood and the foods you eat. This reaction is part of your genetic inheritance. This reaction is caused by a factor called Lectins. Lectins, abundant and diverse proteins found in foods, have agglutinating properties that affect your blood. So when you eat a food containing protein lectins that are incompatible with your blood type antigen, the Lectins target an organ or bodily system and begin to agglutinate blood cells in that area.


Fortunately, most lectins found in the diet are not quite so life threatening, although they can cause a variety of other problems, especially if they are specific to a particular blood type. For the most part your immune systems protect you from lectins. Ninety-five percent of the lectins you absorb from your typical diets are sloughed off by the body. But at least five percent of the lectins you eat are filtered into the bloodstream and different reactions occur in different organs.
Your blood type diet is the restoration of your natural genetic rhythm. Your blood type diet works because you are able to follow a clear, logical, scientifically researched plan based on your cellular profile. Each food groups are divided into three categories:

-Highly beneficial (food that acts like Medicine)
-Foods allowed (food that are no harm to the blood type)
-Foods not allowed (food that acts like a Poison)

Blood Type Diet – Type O

-Type Os thrive on intense physical exercise and animal protein. Unlike the other blood types, Type Os muscle tissue should be slightly on the acid side. Type Os can efficiently digest and metabolize meat because they tend to have high stomach-acid content. The success of the Type O Diet depends on the use of lean, chemical-free meats, poultry, and fish. Type Os don’t find dairy products and grains quite as user friendly as do most of the other blood types.

        

-The initial weight loss on the Type O Diet is by restricting consumption of grains, breads, legumes, and beans.
-The leading factor in weight gain for Type Os is the gluten found in wheat germ and whole wheat products, which interferes with insulin efficiency and slow down metabolic rate.

-Another factor that contribute to weight gain is certain beans and legumes (lentils and kidney beans) contain lectins that deposit in the muscle tissues making them less “charged” for physical activity.
-The third factor in Type O weight gain is that Type Os have a tendency to have low levels of thyroid hormone or unstable thyroid functions, which also cause metabolic problems.
-Therefore it is good to avoid food that inhibits thyroid hormone (cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard green) but increase hormone production (kelp, seafood, iodized salt).

-Several classes of vegetables can cause big problems for Type Os, such as the Brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) can inhibit the thyroid function. Eat more vegetables that are high in Vitamin K, which helps the clotting factor which is weak in Type Os. The nightshade vegetables can cause lectin deposit in the tissue surrounding the joints.
-Because of the high acidity stomach, Type Os should eat fruits of alkaline nature such as berries and plums..

-Type Os should severely restrict the use of dairy products. Their system is not designed for the proper metabolism. If you are a Type O of African ancestry, you should eliminate dairy foods and eggs altogether.

Blood Type Diet – Type A

My blood group is Type A, I am not fond of meat much but I love mangoes and that is not allowed for my blood type.
– Type As flourish on vegetarian diets Type As are predisposed to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It is particularly important for sensitive Type As to get their foods in as natural a state as possible: fresh, pure, and organic. When you get on the Type A Diet, you will naturally be thinner. If you are accustomed to eating meat, you’ll lose weight rather rapidly in the beginning as you eliminate the toxic foods from your diet. And when you follow the Type diet, you can supercharge your immune system and potentially short-circuit the development of life-threatening diseases.

        

-When Type As eat meat, they experience sluggishness. Type As have low stomach-acid content, therefore they have a hard time digesting meat. Since Type As eat very little animal protein, nuts and seeds supply an important protein component.
-Type As also thrive on the vegetable proteins found in beans and legumes, except those mentioned for the “Avoid” list. These beans can cause a decrease in insulin production, which may cause obesity and diabetes. Tofu should be a staple in the Type A Diet.
-Dairy foods are also poorly digested by Type As, and can cause metabolic slowdown. Type As can tolerate small amounts of fermented dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, nonfat sour cream, and cultured dairy products.

-Vegetables are vital to the Type A Diet, providing minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Type A are very sensitive to the lectins in potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, cabbage, tomatoes and peppers. They aggravate the delicate stomach of Type A. Type A should eat more fruits that are alkaline, avoid mangoes, papaya and oranges for they are not good for your digestive tract.

Blood Type Diet – Type B

-The sturdy and alert Type Bs are usually able to resist many of the most severe diseases common to modern life, such as heart disease and cancer. In fact, a Type B who carefully follows the recommended diet can often bypass severe disease and live a long and healthy life. Types Bs are more prone to immune-system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
-The Type B Diet is balance and wholesome, including a wide variety of foods.
-For Type Bs, the biggest factors in weight gain are corn, buckwheat, lentils, peanuts and sesame seeds. These foods have different lectin that affect the efficiency of the metabolic process, resulting in fatigue, fluid retention, and hypoglycemia. The gluten lectin in wheat germ and whole wheat products also adds to the problems cause by other metabolism-slowing foods.
-It is important to leave off chicken for Type Bs. Chicken contains a Blood Type B agglutinating lectin in its muscle tissue, which attack the bloodstream and potentially lead to strokes and immune disorders.
-Type Bs thrive on deep-ocean fish, but should avoid all shellfish. The shellfish contain lectins that are disruptive to the Type B system.
-Type B is the only blood type that can fully enjoy a variety of dairy foods. Most nuts and seeds(especially peanuts, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds) are not advised for Type Bs., they contain lectins that interfere with Type B insulin production.

-Wheat is not tolerated well by most Type Bs. They contain a lectin that reduce insulin efficiency and failure to stimulate fat “burning”. Rye contains a lectin that settles in the vascular system, causing blood disorders and potentially strokes. Corn and buckwheat are major factors in Type B weight gain, they contribute to a sluggish metabolism, insulin irregularity, fluid retention, and fatigue.
-Eliminate tomatoes completely from Type B diet. It has lectins that irritate the stomach lining. Fruits and vegetables are generally well tolerated and should be taken generously.

Blood Type Diet – Type AB

-Multiple antigens make Type ABs sometimes A-like with weak stomach acid, and sometimes B-like with genetically programmed for the consumption of meats. Type AB do best when their muscle tissues are slightly alkaline. Type ABs can’t metabolize meat efficiently because of low stomach acid, so it is important to watch the portion size and frequency. Chicken has lectin that irritates the blood and digestive tracts of Type ABs also. Tofu is a good protein supplements for Type ABs. Nuts, seeds, beans and legumes present a mixed picture for Type ABs. Eat nuts and seeds in small amounts and with caution.
-Type ABs can tolerate dairy foods fairly well. But watch out for excessive mucus production.
-Generally Type ABs do well on grains, even wheat, but keep in mind that the inner kernel of the wheat grain is highly acid forming in the muscle for Type ABs. Type AB benefits from a diet rich in rice rather than pasta.
-Type ABs has a weaker immune system, so you will benefit from the vegetables, which are high in phytochemicals and the more alkaline fruits, which can help to balance the grains that are acid forming in the muscle tissues. Tomatoes do not impose any ill effects on Type ABs.
-Type AB should begin each day by drinking a glass of warm water with the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon to cleanse the system of mucus accumulated while sleeping.
What are you waiting for my friends, devise your own blood group diet now for healthy lifestyle and longer life span. :))