I Can Make Life Sweet Without Sugar

Sweet and Indian – don’t you think, are supplements to each other?! In India, there are so many varieties of sweets, and I think we are the richest in this category! It’s very rare in India that anyone says ‘NO’ to sweets! And, as I’m belonging to Bengal, I feel this craziness in Bengal too much! In my house, every day I prepare sweet ‘chatni’ for lunch! But, 3 years back, this became very dangerous for my family and I want to share the story, how I overcame!

December 2012 came with a bad news for me and my family. After a routine check-up, our house-physician said that my husband is suffering from diabetics! After 4-5 months, we came to know that my mom-in-low also is suffering from the same! They both love to eat sweets so much; in fact, they eat the most of sweets in our household! Now, Doctor strictly restricted sweets for them; even, I can’t add sugar in any dish, that I used to add before. It was really very tough time; I couldn’t understand what to do! During those days; one day I saw a TV advertisement of Sugerfree and went to shop to bring it home. There I find many kinds of Sugerfree – Tablet, Drops, Powder and I bought one of each Varity.

Sugarfree Tablets

Sugarfree Natura (powder)

Sugarfree Drops

Then I put the tablets in the office-bag of my hubby and told him to use for tea and I continue this still now. Then I have started to make sweets with the liquid and powder Sugarfree and got excellent results! My mom-in-low and hubby were very happy to eat sweets again; but, I have little confusion. So I go to doctor and asked him about the safety and side effects of artificial sweetener. But doctor wiped out all my worries! He said that ‘it is total safe and secure; you can use it without any worry’. Since then, I have been replacing sugar with Sugerfree to make deserts and also anything, which need to add sugar!

Rasgulla made with Sugarfree

Gulab Jamun made with Sugarfree

Now, I can make life more sweet without sugar and all the credits goes to SUGARFREE!

Fruit Cake made with Sugarfree

Here is a recipe of a very famous Bengali dessert ‘Chanar Payes’; which I have made with sugerfree!

Chanar Payes

Ingredients:

1. Full cream milk:                        1+1 liter

2. Lemon juice:                            1 tbsp
Or,
Calcium Lactate Powder:              1 teaspn.
 
3. Khoya (grated):                        100gm.
 
4. Sugarfree Nature:                   ½ cup

Or,

Sugarfree Liquid:                         3 drops

5. Vanilla essence:                        2-3 drops
Or,
Rose Water:                                 1/2 teasp.
 
6. Keshar:                                     1/5 teasp.
 
7. Cherry:                                     for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat 1-liter milk in a pan. Once it starts to boil, pour in the lime-juice or Calcium Lactate Powder and stir gently. The milk will curdle and clear whey will separate. Strain the paneer in a muslin cloth. Wash under cold running water to get rid of the lemony smell and then hang it for ½ an hour.

2. Get the fresh paneer out of the cloth; wrap and start kneading it with the palm, Knead to make it smooth for 5-6 minutes.

3. Make same size tiny balls from the paneer and keep aside.

4. Heat rest of milk in another heavy bottom pan. Stir in between to prevent it from burning at the bottom.

5. When the milk become ½, mix the khoya to it and stir very well. Continue stirring till it’s thick and creamy.

6. Now, reduce the flame and start adding the balls one by one.

7. Once all the balls are added, add the vanilla essence, pinch of keshar to it.

8. Let it simmer on the same heat for 3-4 minutes, stir continuously. Make sure there is enough liquid as the balls will soak up lots of liquid during the process of cooling.Now, off the flame and add the Sugerfree. Mix very well and let it become cool.

9. When it becomes cool, keep it in refrigerator for at least ½hr.

10. Take it from refrigerator; garnish with cherry and serve in small bowls.

* You can use Sugerfree more or less, as you want; I have mentioned the measurement as per my requirement.

** You may use cashew-nut, raisin and other dry fruits to garnish.

Click Here to take the Sugarfree Dessert Challenge!

How To Make Your Baby's Skin Softer Than Soft

‘Baby’ – the sweetest word in the World! A baby is blessing of the God to a family. I think, the smile of a child is a priceless decoration for any home. We all love children – a soft, cute baby. But a common worry for every parent, the lost of the softness of their child. In India, we always want to care a baby with homely product. I can remember my Grandma, who always used mastered oil, cream of milk, Besan, Curd etc. to bathe me! And, the result is, at the age of 34, I still am proud of my skin! Today, I want to share some stories of my Grandma and Mom for those, who always want to keep their child soft and clean homely…………….

 

1. Massage:

 

Massage is very important to keep your baby’s skin soft. My Grandma said that massage is a great way towards bonding with your baby & to keep their skin soft, too. My Mom says that Grandma always used pure mastered oil to massage us and she used to spend at least one hour for that! 30 years back it was very easy to find pure mastered oil! But now, I recommend you, using any good olive oil with vitamin to massage your child.

Not only before bath, but a massage after bath is also very useful. Because your baby's skin is plumped up and hydrated and it will hold in the moisture from an oil or lotion better. 

                                                     

2. Bath: 

To keep your baby’s skin soft; bathing plays an important role! My Mom says that, Grandma never used hot water for her grandchildren. She kept buckets full of water with a thin cover under Sun till morning to midday and used this worm water to bathe us! If possible, you can try it.

My grandma used mix of gram flour (Besan), honey and milk-cream to bathe us. It makes a baby’s skin soft and clean very well. Nowadays, Mom’s are very busy, because they have to manage their job and family at the same time. So, use a baby soap to bathe your child. But remember, you have to be very choosy, when you buy soap! It’s hard to resist the temptation of sweet-smelling soaps or the promise of a cleaner clean, but a cleanser that’s soap-free and fragrance-free is best to retain moisture in your toddler’s dry skin. Remember, do not scrub kids to clean, wash gently and pat (not rub) dry with a soft towel.

Bathe your baby, but not for too long! We all know that, it’s a very favorite game of any new-mom to bathe her child; but Keep it short and sweet. Because, too much time in the tub can actually be the cause of drying your baby’s skin!                                                                                                                 

3. Protection:  

There are so many causes of dryness that can attack your baby; so protect your child. Sun rays are not good for your baby’s soft skin. So, when you go to outside with your baby, use umbrella or keep your baby under the covered stroller. Don’t allow mosquito or any other insect to bite your baby, keep him/her under mosquito-net, when they sleep. 

4. Prevention: 

‘Prevention is better than cure’ – it’s a much known sentence to us! So prevent your baby’s skin before it becomes dry!

Do not hydrate your baby’s skin only on the outside; it needs equal care from inside! Give your child plenty of water. If, his/ her age is under six months; then give sufficient breast-milk. Don’t forget that a nutritious diet full of healthy meals is also important for a good skin and complexion!

Diaper rash is very common in this generation! Prevent it, before it becomes a cause of dryness of your baby’s skin! Change your newborn's diapers every two hours (longer for older babies), clean your baby's bottom thoroughly,use a good antiseptic cream if it is required.                       

5. Selection:

I think, selection is the most important part for parenting! You have to know, what is right and what is wrong for your baby!

Always buy very soft, cotton cloths for your baby. Use products with baby-friendly ingredients. Choose baby products that are free of harsh or dangerous chemicals. Try to avoid talc and fragrance. They can all potentially irritate your baby's skin. Remember to choose a baby-friendly detergent too—those adorable clothes will be rubbing up against baby's skin.
My Grandma used very soft cotton pieces as diapers; those she cleaned with antiseptic liquids and dried under the Sun very well! Mom told me that my Grandma was very conscious about hygiene. Nowadays, we easily find so many diapers in market; but, select wisely when you buy! It’s very important that the diaper must soak all the wetness and keep your child comfortable. 

I have already mentioned about changing the diaper; but, if you are a busy mom, then buy the one which can hold the dryness for long. Remember, Diaper is an important thing that can make your baby’s skin harsh and becomes a cause of rashes; so, be very careful, when you buy Diapers for your Baby. And for those, who has little of time to shop – “Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

Everybody loves soft and giggling children and every parent wants to keep their child softer than soft! I just tried to help newly parents to make little easy their works! Hope it will work……….