NO bake NO cooking Egg-less Swiss Roll Cake !!! 15 Minutes Recipe

Swiss roll is an easy, quick and delicious recipe. It is a NO bake and NO cooking recipe and only needs to be refrigerated for 3-4 hours. Homemade cake is thousand times better than the outside cake. Swiss roll is an ideal recipe for any birthday party or any get together party where not only the kids even the elders will love this snack. The secret story of this cake is that while it looks like it would be hard to make, it’s actually pretty easy. 

Adopt paraben free life for your baby

Today, when I was bathing my 2 year old with a herbal scrub, I happened to read the ingredients at the back of the bottle. It mentioned Paraben. It shocked me as it being a herbal product, it should not have such things. I was not sure of what harms does Paraben occur but I was sure that it is harmful. I searched on the internet and came to know that studies indicate that Paraben might cause cancer. I decided not to use such products on my baby and hence, adopted cleaning ingredients from my kitchen for her. Here are some of them that you mothers can use:

Gram Flour
This is my favourite. I mix gram flour with fresh milk or curd. A few drops of lemon and turmeric and the babyscrub is ready. In summers, she likes this chilled mix and enjoys the bath.

Bread Scrub
You need some fresh bread slices. Scramble them. Mix it with milk and scrub the baby's body with it. Make sure that the bread is fresh and not beyond the expired date.

Oatmeal
Use some oatmeal powder or grind the oat flakes. Add fresh milk. It's good for weekly cleansing.

Rose water
Add few drops of rose water to any scrub or cleansing mix you prepare. Your baby might love the smell and you will love the fresh feeling of the same. Rose water is especially recommended in winters to keep the moisture of the skin intact.

Masoor Dal
What?? You might be surprised right. Masoor dal is actually good for the natural glow on the skin, they say. Add some milk and sandal powder to ground masoor daal.

A Delicious Interview with a Doting Mother

Things change post wedding they say. However, I believe things actually change post a baby. Meet Shruti Kahdoriya Sheth, who a jewelry designer by profession and a baker by passion transformed into a doting mother.

Heyya Shruti!!!
How's your 2-year old Aayansh?
He's doing great, growing up day by day. 

Has he joined school yet?
Yes. He has. However, still not settled, yet he is nearly reaching there. 

So, you love cooking. How has cooking changed after motherhood?
Yes, I love cooking. After Aayansh, I am more focused on nutrition and wholesome food. One more change that I did after having Aayansh is that I started looking for one meal one dish kind of preparations. This gives me more time with Aayansh rather than slogging out in kitchen. 

What will you cook up quickly in the kitchen?
Gujarati meals like Veg Handvo, Muthiya, Veg Khichdi or Veg Pulao. Marathi meals like Sev Ussal. I also like preparing Wheat bread Coleslaw sandwich or Veg Roti Wrap.

What is the big challenge you face in the kitchen?
To make recipes that not only excites my kid but are also very healthy and wholesome. For instance, he like having noodles. This made me churn up wheat based noodles at home. Based on his mood, I prepare either sweet or savory. And he loves them too.

What is your lunch like? What do you pack in the tiffin for the man of the house?
Being a foodie just like me, he likes complete meal in lunch like chapati, sabzi, dal (occasionally) and curd or buttermilk. For evening, I usually pack fruits or khakhra.

Is your kiddo demanding when it comes to food?
Yes, but not often. He follows a few patterns that I have understood quite well. Weekends are always full of demands for Pizza or Dosa. However, he accepts his regular food as well. Usually, he likes having Veg Poha in the evening.

Which recipe you remember from your childhood?
Veg Khichadi - its easy to prepare and quite nutritious. I started cooking at an early age and by the time I turned 12, I had learnt to prepare several basic dishes.

A food memory from your childhood
When I was in 8th standard, I decided to prepare something for my dad's birthday as my mom was not in town. I dished up gulabjamuns that came out quite well and even earned me appreciation.

Your maa ke haath ka khana
Simply Yum! She makes real delicious dishes. Dahiwada, Pav Bhaji, Biryani are some of the heavenly dishes I crave for, especially on weekends. The taste still lingers on my tongue.

Food that makes your mouth water
Well, being a foodie, I have tasted a variety of things around the world. However, my favourites are Maa ke haath ka baingan ka bharta and udad daal teamed up with Bajre ki roti. Surti Undhiyon makes my mouth water. I love the traditional Kathiyawadi dishes prepared at my place. When it comes to sweet, I love gorging on churman ka laddoo, Sheera, Malpua and Kheer.

Did your in-laws family bring a change in the taste of your cooking?
Yes, a drastic one, I should say. They prefer Gujarati taste while mine is a complete Kathiyawadi. Our and their food habits differ but now, my food is prepared in both the styles, when required.

A restaurant you will never forget
Burger King of Bangkok and Ganesha from Indonesia. I am emotionally attached to these.
In Ahmedabad, 9-Apple South Leaf, a South Indian restaurant. Being close to our home, we often visit it for its delicious preparations.

Your non-food passions
Travelling and understanding cultures of different places.

Your all-time favorite cuisine
Kathiyawadi, Mexican and Lebanese

Thank you for giving a peek into your lifestyle, Shruti!!! Nice having you on our blog. 

From being just a dentist to a Mommy dentist!

Dentists. The word makes us (mommies) sit up and take notice. In this age when one of the meals of most of the kids have chocolates, we are quite worried about cavities, a la Colgate Toothpaste ad. So, I decided to interview one of the mommies who is also a dentist. Let's meet Pradnya Madkaiker Ajmera, who is a potpourri of Goan, Maharashtrian, Rajasthani and Gujarati culture. 

How old is your baby? What's her name?

Saumya will complete 2 years in August. 

Tell us about your life after motherhood. 

My work needs dedicated hours of practice, just like a baby does. As a professional and as a mother, I am still learning and progressing towards perfection.

How was working during pregnancy?

Working was more of a challenge and not a necessity. It was both fun and exciting with all those weird changes taking place in the body and of course, hormonal imbalances. Also, being a dentist had its drawbacks as I had to be very cautious about X-ray radiations. With frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting, I was almost on the verge of quitting, but kept on going with motivation and support. Disbelievingly, I worked up to 7 months of pregnancy. 

When did you resume work after delivery?

After a break of almost 18 months as I strictly wanted to breastfeed my kiddo and see her growing up. I wanted to be with her while she covers her every milestone. It's mesmerizing to see the baby crawl, stand-up, speak her first word. Those 18 months are the best phase of my motherhood. 

As a mother, what measures do you take?

I follow very basic measures of safety and nutrition for my baby. I have made my home and room child safe. I have learnt preparing a lot of healthy tasty dishes. I teach her to be independent. 

How does Saumya take your being away from home?

To my surprise, she responds very positively and calmly. She has understood my routine and never makes fuss or shows tantrums. She knows exactly when she needs to do or ask for something. What else could I have asked of from her!

What things should kid avoid?

Being a dentist, I feel anything in excess has to be avoided. Healthy food and eating habits should be inculcated as soon as a mother starts weaning. I strongly recommend to avoid packaged drinks and food, too much sweet and sticky foods. Also too much exposure to electronic devices.

How soon should babies start brushing?

Brushing should begin as soon as you those first cute teeth popping out. Use finger brush with mild pressure initially and then baby brush accordingly. Toothpaste needs to be avoided till the child understands to spit out completely. Tongue cleaning is equally important. Use gauze wrapped around your finger to clean tongue. Best is to avoid tongue cleaners till 3 years of age. Make a habit of brushing twice every day. Visit dentist every 6 months to eliminate any fear of doctor from the kid's mind.

How do you balance work and baby?

It becomes difficult at times to manage baby and home and clinic. But I want my daughter to understand that this is life. We need to be patient and hopeful. Every day when she waves me goodbye with a sweet kiss on my cheek, I am delighted by the sparkle in her eyes. 

How do you inspire Saumya as a working mother?

It is not me but she who inspire me to keep going. 

How does your husband and in-laws support you?

They make my life complete. They have been a constant support throughout, be it pregnancy or early days of motherhood. Without them, I would not have been able to give Saumya a family life wherein she enjoys bonding, sharing, family values, elderly love and affection. All this has made me more receptive and adaptive to the drastic changes that have happened post pregnancy. A big thanks to them for being there. 

When a Foodie turns into a Cook

Ask any foodie about the best food he or she ever had and pat will come the reply, "Maa ke haath ka khana". Now, you are thinking that how come every mother is the best cook in the world. I think a mother cultivates the habit of cooking good food for their babies. They make sure that the spices are balanced, nutrition is right and temperature just as the baby likes it. My husband once complemented me saying "You have become a better cook after becoming a mother". I bring to you a story of a woman who learnt so many dishes after motherhood, in spite of the fact that she did not like cooking earlier. Meet Dharti, mother of 2-year old Dhiti. She has tried everything for her kiddo, right from baking fruit breads and cookies to churning up delicious ice-creams. Psst...She even inspired me to bake cookies and even carry a meal-box while visiting restaurants :)

Heyyya Dharti!!!
I have seen you transform from a newbie mother to a full-on mommy. It's great!!

How has motherhood changed you?
I can get up in the middle of night and cook, if Dhiti gets up and says "mumma khau che" :) I never imagined myself like this because I love my sleep a lot and  cooking was the last thing I could think of worth doing.

What is your main focus as a mother?
I want my daughter to be happy, healthy and a positive person.

You were not that much into cooking earlier. What influenced you to cook for Dhiti?
Dhiti is underweight and also a picky eater so my first priority is to give her nutritious and wholesome meal. Secondly, she being underweight we can't afford her to fall ill and loose any further weight. So me and my husband Jaimin made it a point to develop her good eating habits and what is better than home cooked food. This concern for her transformed me into fair cook from a miserable one! :)

You have not exposed Dhiti to preservatives in food. You make sure you cook for her. Reasons?
I am just trying to give Dhiti a healthy lifestyle during her present formative years.  However, once she starts understanding then she will be free to decide about her dietary choices.  We have come across multiple instances wherein children who do not have healthy eating habits encounter numerous problems later on right from low immunity, obesity, blood pressure etc.

Dhiti is just 2 years old. I think that when I can cook  food with fresh  ingredients then why should I give her food with preservatives. Believe me, its not that tough at all I could find plenty of blogs and ideas by some simple googling.

When you travel, you pack foods for your lil one. Our readers would like to know what could be packed? 
We started with a road trip when Dhiti was 11 months old, I remember carrying a hand grinder cum blender with me!!!  -You will be amazed that I even carried all masalas in small packets so that I don't have to use those in hotel !!

- Being a gujju thepla is a must.:) It also has a good shelf life.
- Churma laddoo with jaggery can be good choice for energy requirement. One laddoo per day is fine.

- Khajoor and dry fruits laddoo

- processed Cheese cubes

- Home made wheat bread (its really easy) 

- Corn (you can store boiled corn in freezer, microwave it with butter and salt pepper.)

- Dry bengal gram chutney to go with Idli or Dosa

- Masala puris fried in Ghee

- Mamra

- Home-made wheat or ragi biscuits 

- Home made wheat based chocolate cake

- Home made cerelac (http://itsybitsymom.blogspot.in/search/label/Recipe)

- Ragi atta

- Fruits

- Dry fruits

If hotels open the kitchen allowing you cook for lil one, what equipment could be carried?

I have traveled thrice with Dhiti till date but I was amazed to see that all hotels allow using their kitchen if that is for a kid.  

I take one small kadai, small microwave bowl, knife, peeler, spoon, small plate

What can be cooked here? (in relation to above)

Khichadi, roti, rice, dal, daliya, porridges, soup 

Last time after she turned 2, when I traveled I allowed her to eat the hotel food such as dal khichadi, dal, rice, poha, upma, idli. I do not see any harm if the food is freshly prepared, non spicy and served hot. 

What will you dish up quickly when you enter kitchen?

-- Moong dal and bhakhri

Your maa ke haath ka khana is 

--- bliss

Your funniest memory of food...

(Laughs) I think i have told you about this. Jaimin( my husband) is very finicky about eating at someone's place. If he sees untidy kitchen then he will never eat there. So this was before marriage he was coming to meet me at my rented apartment. So excited me got up early in the morning, cleaned the house(including fans), prepared food. I made bhindi that day. I had cleaned the bhindi properly and then cut it but then I thought let me clean it again just to be extra sure. I cooked that bhindi which came out to be sticky unaware of the fact it happened because of me washing it again after cutting it. Still I made him eat that bhindi. So this was my first impression and display of my cooking skills.

Your all-time favourite cuisine

--- It used to be punjabi cuisine but now its everything with fresh ingredients except Thai Green Curry.

Your non-food passions

-- Dancing.. I know classical dance Bharat Natyam, I have done basic and advance course in Salsa, hip hop and Jive. But out of all folk dance is my favorite as it is full of expressions.

It was great hearing from you Dharti. Readers, who would like to ask her any questions about recipe can comment below. She will be more than happy to answer it. 

So says the mommy of a lil soldier!!

Readers!!! I have promised you interesting posts that let you have a peek into the lives of different parents. So, here I am with an interview of a girl who suddenly transformed into a lady post wedding. Yes, she is a wife of a soldier, mommy of a 8 month old boy, writer by profession, painter by passion, cook by compulsion and what not. Let's begin!!!

What's the name of your baby, Apoorva? How old is he?
Rishaan, meaning a good human being, has just turned 8 months old. 

It's great to be a mother. How has motherhood changed you?
Motherhood was a complete re-birth for me. Not just my body, but my soul took a rebirth too. I have learned to be patient, first of all. They say, I have become all the more responsible too. A multi-tasker is the first quality that a mother must possess, so here I am. I can say that there comes a time that I even forget to breathe, but the smile on my little one's face rejuvenates me with all the happiness and positivity. 

Does the equation between a couple change after babyhood?
Certainly, it does, but only for the better. We are a stronger couple now. 

How does it feel being a wife of an army man?
Getting married to an Olive Green is a big responsibility, a thought which didn't even cross my mind when the preparations were going on. I was just a fresher out of college and suddenly, I was expected to behave all 'ladylike'. I would say that the wife of a soldier is as much a part of the army. We actually have our set of tasks and responsibilities that needs to be taken care of. There are unsaid protocols and rules for army wives and I make sure that I follow them. It's a blessing to be a soldier's wife. 

So, what is your day like?
I do a lot of things. I even cook. I say this because I was never into cooking. However, having hosted several parties which required me to cook for around 20 people at one go, has transformed me. I learnt so many things. I love to experiment with food (thanks to YouTube for being there). 

Then, I am an art lover and painting is what keeps me alive. Whenever time is on my side, I grab a brush and paint my mind. It is soothing. 

After having Rishaan, my love for writing took an all new turn. I am writing letters to my lil one, maintained a diary for him. Herein I teach him how to deal with different kinds of problems (God forbids) in the right manner; how to 'be yourself' in the fast changing world and many other things. I hope that he reads these letters when he grows up when he has a bunch of responsibilities on his shoulder.

And I even write professionally. Working from home isn't as easy as it seems from the other side.

Writing is refreshing. Isn't it?  
Writing for self helps me bring out my emotions. There comes a time when you need someone to talk to, when you have nobody around, or maybe when you feel people who would understand you are not present at the moment. Writing at this time helps me pour down my thoughts. Writing professionally helps me connect with people. I would say that because of my writing I got to befriend many people and this is an amazing feeling.  

What motivates you? Money or something else?
Honestly, it feels good to see your bank balance growing (winks) But, more than that it gives me immense confidence and sense of self dependence when I work. 

Is your family supportive?
Indeed. Else, I would not have reached where I am today!

Once Rishaan starts going to school, would you prefer joining an office full time?
If I get an opportunity, I would definitely love to join full time office but only in the field of writing.

What are your hobbies?
Dancing! I love to dance like crazy. It recharges me even in the bluest of times. Painting and writing (of course) 

You married quite early and had a baby too. Many girls prefer settling down early. People say it helps to build a better bond with the baby. What's your take?
My wedding happened in a very short span of time. I had to choose between career and family and I chose the latter, being high on emotional quotient. I desired to give complete attention to my baby. I want to see him blossom into a handsome man and a good human being, just like his name. If a baby is planned early, it helps on various fronts. As he grows up, I would get time to settle down into my career too. Sooner or later, every mother shares an equally strong bond with the baby, irrespective of the time they have them. 

Last but not the least, when are you coming to Ahmedabad?
'Keri nu ras' is calling me! And that's one of the many good things I love about Ahmedabad. Whenever I come I would love to relish some handmade Gujarati delicacies at your place for sure.

Haha, it was nice hearing from you, Apoorva. 
Thanks for letting me have a say. It's a nice feeling being interviewed. 

A slice of life of a Vlogger Mommy

Every mommy wears multiple hats day in and out. She is a cook, cleaner, feeder, entertainer, and even goes to office or works from home. She is one-point contact for the kid, no matter how many people the kid is surrounded by. Here is one such mommy that I know of. She left her corporate designation and became a full-time mommy, only to discover her love for vlogging.

Heyya Neha!!! Let's begin.

How old is Vedanshi now?
She is old enough to call me mumma (smiles). 

Oh! She has started talking. Wow, isn't it? 
It is. She began talking just a few months back. We call her 'Veda'. She is the heartbeat of our family and as sweet as any toddler can be. 

I love your smile. It has a sense of satisfaction. 
Just like every other bride, it took me time to settle in. Having a baby made me realize the feelings of my parents-in-law towards me. Being a mother is the toughest job. There are no working hours, just a long 24 x 7 routine. 

What was the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me was to make sure that my picky eater gets all the healthy nutrients. I made sure that the food is interesting not only for the baby but for the entire family as well. 

So, this made you begin a food channel?
To an extent yes. This channel will make sure that your dinner table has a variety of foods from different cultures. 

You named it 'Reet'. What does it mean?
'Reet' is a Hindi word meaning tradition. Every culture follows a tradition while performing routine activities. We have added 'Foodelicious' - a fusion touch to the channel as well. While preparing food, it is necessary to stay connected to the roots and at the same time make it more interesting by adding a zing. 

How will you make your recipes appealing?
We Indians are so fond of food that there are so many varieties of a single recipe. And that is the reason that the way to an Indian's heart takes a long way through the stomach (winks). I will make sure that with the approach of every festival, I add festive recipes that are healthy. Being an important part of lifestyle, food equalizes festival too. For instance, Makar Sankranti means gorging on Ghewar, Holi means relishing Gujiyas, Krishna Janmashtmi stands for eating Dhaniya Panjiri, come Ganesh Jayanti and we start preparing laddoos - it is a never-ending list. 

Who would you like to give the credit for this channel?
My mothers. Weddings are such a lovely thing - they gift us an extra mother. I will definitely give the credit for 'Reet' to my mom and mother-in-law, the two important pillars of my life. My mother-in-law has been contributing to this channel emotionally, mentally, physically while my mother is an invisible support, sending me blessings from heaven.

Tell us more about your mothers' personalities and how they have contributed yours. 
My mother-in-law is an extremely talented person. I am thankful to God for making me meet her. She knows everything, right from cooking, stitching, painting, embroidery to even writing and singing. For almost 20 years, she helmed a workshop of embroidery in Kanpur. However, when she arrived in Mumbai, she ditched her dream and became a full-time homemaker, which is again a tough job. I dedicate this channel to her, the role model of my life. 

My mother was a working woman, a government teacher, who inspired us to balance both work and family. At times, I felt bad when my friends' mothers was present at home to welcome and hug them on return from school. I was naive and even fought with her to be at home, at least, for lunch time as I missed her very much. My mother made me understand how important is her job for the family and that she misses me equally. Now she is not alive but after being a mother, I realized that she worked for us, to give us a better life. She is my inner strength and always will be. I am very proud of being her daughter. 

Will your past experiences change you as a mother?

Yes, very much. I am a privileged mother that I can work from home. I want to be with my baby, want to welcome her when she returns from school or college. 

Is it important for a mother to be working?

I think yes. If you are educated and doing just one thing - handling your home, people think that you are not courageous enough to do a job or earn money. 

How will working from home help?

The YouTube channel will give both me and my mother-in-law a motto, an inspiration to do something creative every day. The primary objective is to instill confidence in my mother-in-law and many such women who left their dream careers for their family. With the advent of internet, a woman can do so many more things together. 

Do you miss your earlier work?

As a matter of fact, I do. This is because working at an office was comparatively easy. Not many understand what a woman goes through when she leaves her job and sacrifices so many pleasures for her family. The word 'homemaker' is so meaningful - without a home-maker, there is no home. With this, I do not mean that it is easy for a person to work at office; that too requires sacrifices. 

Do you want to inspire your daughter with your work?

Very much. I want her to stand for her own self and become an independent personality. Like my mother worked in spite of facing hardships, I want her to follow her own heart and not give in to temporary pleasures. 

How motherhood has transformed you?

After giving birth to Veda, I became stronger and smarter. Now, I have learnt to utilize the available resources in the best possible manner for my baby. My baby needs me now. I want to enjoy her childhood and see her nurture like a flower. With every passing day, she is adding something to my personality. I feel like I am a kid again, a learner. 

What would you like to change if you could?

The sentence I told my mother to be at home, when I return from school. But, I will make sure that I never hear something like this from my baby.

Where do you see yourself after 5 years?

As a volgger, I don't know what will I be doing after 5 months or 5 years. But, I am sure of giving 100 percent to everything that I am interested in. As of now, both 'Veda' and 'Reet' are my babies. 

We didn't talk about your husband.

Varun is force that has been present throughout. In fact, he inspired me to don the hat of a vlogger. He completes me as a mother. 

Thank you Neha for letting out your heart on this blog. 

In fact, I should thank you Urvashi for giving me an opportunity to share my feelings.