Dr. Anuja Pethe

The green ones which are just starting to ripen. They are firm to bite and delicious.

Check below the ripened bananas. Notice the tiny black dots. These are perfect soft and super delicious!!!

These days we rarely get to see such green bananas. Most bananas are yellow and invariably they have green stems or bases.

These fully green, naturally ripened organically grown bananas remind me of the bananas I tasted as a child.
Probably that time artificial food ripening was not discovered!!

I see many parents saying they are allergic to bananas and hence are apprehensive about giving bananas to their kids. On digging deeper, the allergy is frequent bouts of sneezing and cold, sore throat and later cough. The problem here is not the banana but the way they are ripened in haste using chemicals.
Like I said in the post, the fruit is not the problem, the way we are growing our fruit and treating them for mass consumption is causing the health issues.

So please do not deprive yourselves and your children of this

Bananas are rich in nutrients and make for a healthy snack and also make gorgeous smoothies!!!
Everyone can enjoy them alike.

So start thinking about sourcing organically grown fruits. Do your own research and you will find these sources for sure. The slight extra expense is soon off set by the health benefits. The expense saved by falling sick less is far more than the cost of the fruit.

As the demand increases, so shall the supply catch up gradually. But the change has to start from us.

Let us start thinking and start using fruits and vegetables.

Was invited by branch.
To deliver a talk on personal hygiene and good health to Parents and teenagers.
I was happy to see a good turnout especially of teenagers early on a Sunday morning.
I am glad that the session went well with lots of queries from parents and teens alike.
Thankyou to and for this opportunity and best wishes for the noble work of eduction that you are doing!!
Thankyou for the sweet note and the lovely hamper of organic skin care products.

I was invited to be one of the judges for the food fest conducted at Arya Vidya Mandir Institute of Education. The students of “Early Childhood Care and Education” course participated.
It was super fun to taste all the preparations, but equally tough to choose the winners!!
The display was beautiful and the presentations were lovely too!!
Thoroughly enjoyed💕

Conducted this lecture for yet another batch of students!!
These are students training to be early childhood educators!!
I was very happy to receive such an enthusiastic response!

Hi, I am doing a Panel Discussion on BabyChakra App. The topic is *Why Is My Kid Experiencing Frequent Constipation?* on 20 October 2022 at 2:00 pm.
Join the session :

http://babyc.in/l/1vSHZ

MyAvni

I am conducting a workshop for parents of pubertal girls ( ages 8-13) about how to communicate with the girl child about changes in puberty and how to equip her to face adolescence.
Do join me on Instagram live today to know more about the workshop.
You can register for the workshop on the below link.

https://www.myavni.com/products/rutu-embracing-periods-workshop-for-mother?variant=43323170455807

Such gorgeous colours!!
I could not resist taking a pic!!

Simple Leafy Lettuce and cherry tomatoes turn into a lovely salad. Just add peanut powder, salt, pepper powder and a dash of lemon!! Made in a jiffy yet immensely satisfying to have this crunchy tangy salad.
Can add a few pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for that extra crunch!!

Try out your own quick salads with simple ingredients. We really do not need fancy dressing and toppings!!

If adults in the family eat and appreciate such colourful natural foods, kids will definitely follow suit. But this has to happen right from the beginning. It is very difficult even for kids as old as a couple of years to unlearn food habits once formed.

So young parents, please please start having more colour in your plate and you don’t have to worry about your child being fussy!!

Banana floweret stir fry

केळफूलाची भाजी!!

This is made from home grown banana flowerets or blossoms. Grown lovingly by my dad
These are quite tender and crunchy and an amazing alkaline food.
The florets need to be removed and the stigma and a sepal like structure need to be removed from each floret before chopping these florets.
I followed my mom’s recipe and below is the result! Modified it a bit to make it
I soaked the chopped florets in butter milk overnight. ( I used peanut curd buttermilk which is plant based.)
This is important to wash off the sticky substance present in the florets. Next day I washed these soaked florets in running water and pressure cooked for 3-4 whistles. Cooked soaked toor dal too in the same pressure cooker.

After dry roasting curry leaves, added cumin and mustard. Once the mustard popped, turned off the flame and added asafoetida and turmeric. Then added the cooked toor dal and switched on the gas to low flame. Added the cooked banana florets, “Goda masala”, tamarind paste and red chilly powder and salt. At the end added date paste ( instead of jaggery) , fresh grated coconut and chopped coriander.

This can be eaten as is or with rice or roti. The spices can be adjusted as per personal taste. I like subtle and mild flavours, so kept the spice level to minimum.

The dry tadka is absolutely oil free and yet the dish tasted just like one with a regular tadka!! You need to try out yourselves to know that oil only just hastens the tadka process by 30 seconds or so. Otherwise the taste is just the same with or without oil.

Check for oil free and plant based cooking

Sweetened with
With nutty taste of

You will need prepped millets. ( by prepping I mean they should be thoroughly washed and soaked for 8 hours. Then drain the water and spread them to dry on a clean cloth. Once dried, roast them lightly and store in an airtight container. This will enhance the taste, improve digestibility and makes cooking with the millets easier. This works every time. Thanks to Sharan India for this technique)
Now roast these prepped millets nicely and cool them down. Here I have used Proso millets.
Blend these millets with desiccated coconut, cardamom powder.
Mash reseeded organic dates and mix the above powder in. Make small bite sized laddoos.
Perfect for those with a
Or for those post lunch
Work well for snack too!!

Do give it a try! Swipe left to see the millet

The theme for the World Health Day this year is “Our Planet, Our Health”.
We all need to be understood that we as individuals are made up of matter, just like our planet, our solar system and our universe!!
For us to he really healthy, we need to go from individual to all encompassing. We must widen our approach as our survival as mankind and that of our future generations depends on our planet being healthy.
As of now, we do not have another planet to inhabit so we need to take care of this wonderful home that God has created for us. Our Mother Earth.
So what can we all do, that will help our health as well as the health of our Earth?
🌍 we can be mindful of what we put in our mouths. Go . Best for our health. But also will help reduce carbon emissions from animal rearing. It is kind to our fellow inhabitants of this planet ( read animals) and also to the environment.

🌍 we can walk wherever possible and reduce use of vehicles hence reducing fuel emissions, reducing noise pollution and having clearer roads.

🌍 we can reduce use of conventional daily use products which may seem convinient but are loaded with chemicals. They are harming us as well as the environment. Let us search for nature-friendly options and reduce reuse and recycle.

This list can go on but let us stop here and ponder on the above. Small changes go a long way.
Let me know your thoughts on more ways to be kinder to our planet as well as ourselves.

Let us together save our planet so that we can be saved!!

Posting after a long long hiatus.
Just felt like sharing today’s meal here.

🍝 Multimillet noodles with veggies

🍜Roasted pumpkin soup

Trying to include more vegetables and more variety of grains and it sure is feeling great.

Part 3 will cover parenting tips for adolescents.
Adolescents and preadolescents ( from 10-11 years till 20-21 years…. Sometimes even beyond) are a tricky age group for parents. These are no more children but not yet adults. They are transitioning on multiple levels. Puberty approaches bringing with it many physical changes. Thinking is maturing but they cannot think too much in perspective. They live in the present. Peers and friends gain precedence over family. They are comfortable with like minded fun loving individuals rather than the sedate parents with “ I told you so” attitude.

This is a crucial phase where parents need to be friends with their adolescent children. Teenagers often look up to some other younger adult outside the immediate family. So as parents it is better to have such potential role models close and accessible. Many times these young adults can impact the thinking of the teen and what better way than to ensure the teen is getting influenced by worthy persons!!

Teenage is also the age of rebellion. Many teens rebel at different levels. It may not be outright rebellion but at times subtle resistance in doing simple chores or family activities.
It is important to talk to the teens and understand their point of view. Parents should absolutely avoid being judgemental. Rather parents should be open and approachable.

When a teen does not behave the way parents want him/ her to, try to have a healthy discussion about the teen’s reason behind it. Never order or direct the teenager. Always say, “ This is what I feel is better to do in this situation. What do you feel? If you want to discuss it more or need any input or information then I am there for you. Think about it.”
This way the teenager will learn to think things over and will also learn to take onus of his/ her actions. This will help create a healthy balanced personality.

These adolescents will learn through their mistaken choices as well as from the correct ones. They will also have the assurance of having non- judgemental parents who ultimately want the best for them.

What more can we ask!! Parents want their teenager to be responsible, be sincere about working towards a good future and do something which will utilise their full potential as well as be source of joy.
So let us help our kids find such a balance. Let us stop being their “parents” and start being their “ dependable experienced friends”. Let is keep the communication channel open always and let us revel in seeing our adolescents blossom into mature, responsible, healthy and happy adults!!

Happy Parenting!!

Part 2 on Parenting- Love vs Pampering!

In this part 2 we will look at older children and discuss an important aspect of parenting.

👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽👧🏼🧒🏽

Older children are physically independent such that they can do their daily chores on their own. Parents don’t have to brush their teeth or bathe them. But these kids are emotionally still dependent on their parents and need to feel secure and loved. These children need guidance on understanding their emotions.

🧡 Parents tend to give two dramatically opposite reactions to the child showing distress or anxiety or any other unpleasant emotion.
💛 One reaction is to brush the child’s feeling under the carpet by saying, “ you are big now. Big kids don’t cry.” Or “ what are you so upset about? Just ignore it and move on. Don’t be a cry-baby!!”

💛Another reaction is to Molly-coddle the child and shower him/her with diversions and material things so as the child will forget about what caused the anxiety in the first place. Some parents even go to the extent to actually try and avoid all situations which can make the child anxious or stressed. They will give prizes to all children in a game so that each one feels happy. Or they will go out of their way to avoid a particular situation if they feel it will be unpleasant for the child.This behaviour will not allow the child to get exposed to stressful situations and such a child will never learn how to handle stress.

💚Parents should not try to take away their kids’ stress. Rather they should equip the kid to handle the stress effectively. This will empower the kids even later in life when they will be faced with different stresses and situations.

💚Parents should empathise and validate the child’s emotion. Give it a name so the child learns to identify his/ her emotion.
For eg- “ oh you are feeling sad. I can understand why you must be feeling that way. But can we discuss about it and try to find what we can do about it?”
This dialogue will help the child identify the emotion and also encourage them to find a solution if there is any. This will also help them accept the emotion if there isn’t any immediate solution.
Parents need to help the child effectively handle various emotions- sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, happiness etc.
They should also by example, guide the child about how to behave in a certain situation. This way the child will pick cues from their parents and learn various aspects of social as well as inter-personal behaviour.

💜 It’s an interesting journey which the parent and child undertake together and it definitely enriches all in the process.
Parents just need to have the inclination and manage their time smartly so that they are available for their children when they need them. This will help raise secure independent thinking kids who are equipped to handle themselves well in all situations and who know they can rely on their parents when need be.

More in part 3 about adolescents.

Happy Parenting!

- Dr. Anuja Pethe
Consultant Pediatrician.

Today on occasion of I wish all of you a !

Balshahi requested me to pen my thoughts and I decided to write a 3 part short series.
Here is the first part which focuses on and I hope it will be useful for

👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼

Parenting is a roller coaster ride and it is unique for every parent. It is a hands-on process with on-the-job learning ! Unfortunately it does not come with an instruction manual.
The single most important aspect of being a parent is that you unconditionally love your child. But these days most parents are confused between ‘love’ and ‘pampering’. Knowing the difference is vital to avoid many behavior and health issues later. I am going to discuss these differences in three parts of the series.
Part 1 - Young children

🙈PAMPERING- Because of love for one’s child, parents give-in to many of the child's demands. Common scenario is to offer too many alternative options when a child refuses food. This reinforces the child's behavior and the child never learns the correct values around food.
💚LOVE- Real expression of love is knowing where to draw the line. Resolutely refuse to give alternative food and let the child go without food for sometime. Slowly but definitely the child will learn healthy food habits.

🙈PAMPERING- Due to misplaced notion of love for the child, parents often give in to demands of expensive toys, activities or outings. Sometimes parents shower gifts on the child even without the child asking .This sets the stage for the feeling of being ‘entitled’ in the child.
💚LOVE- Real love is differentiating between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ of a child. Definitely fulfill all the needs but you need not fulfill all the ‘wants’. Little older children can understand when explained about why a certain activity or toy is not required at the time. Parents need to be both sincere and creative to offer alternatives when they say ‘no’ for certain things.
For example instead of an expensive toy they can take the child to the park. Play with the child and help the child enjoy nature.
Instead of buying a digital device, parents can sit with the child and read a book together or tell stories to the child. This will foster a healthy imagination as against the digital device.

In both the above examples parents give gifts for a lifetime to their children.

🙈PAMPERING- is taking your child on regular Mall trips or outings for food and shopping.
💚LOVE- is taking the effort to learn about healthy eating for children and family. Love is implementing this knowledge and rearing a healthy and Happy Child.

More in part 2 which will cover Older children and part 3 which will cover Adolescents.

Dr. Anuja Pethe
Consultant Pediatrician
Contact no- 7045745769

Plant based Masala Doodh!!
As Naivedyam for Goddess Lakshmi on occasion of

Traditionally masala Doodh is offered to the Goddess and is then relished by one and all.
This year making a Plant based version of the same to be more environment friendly and kind.

To make 2 big glasses
Soak 1/4th cup broken cashews and 1tbsp rolled oats in little after first 6 hours. Blend then well by adding a little water at a time. Add 2 reseeded medjoul dates while blending.
Use more dates if using other variety.
Transfer the milk to a pan and bring to a boil. Add 1tsp masala ( coarsely ground mixture of almonds, cashews, pistachios, cardamom, javitri and nutmeg) and boil again for some time.

Enjoy hot!!

A quick salad!!
There really need not be any standard recipe. Just follow your heart and use whatever veggies you have and whatever ingredients you find.
Just make sure you have a balance of all tastes in the dressing!! That’s the trick to make a salad taste yummy!!
Make it colourful so it looks lovely too!!
When it pleases all senses it is relished for sure!!

The complete video of my interview with Pukkateinbox.
They wanted to cover the journey of entrepreneurs in different fields so that more women can get inspired!!
Do share, comment, like and subscribe to !!

Newborn and Child Specialist | Consultant Pediatrician | Dr. Anuja Pethe | pukkatteinbox Dr. Anuja Pethe is a Consultant Child Specialist.She is practicing since the last 12 years and is attached to Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital and Surya Ch...

Today is our 75th Independence Day!!
Most of us born in independent India have only read about the great freedom fighters and their struggles in History textbooks.
But we need to imbibe some of their greatness ourselves. We need to be proud of our country. We need to put our sincere work in making our nation great. We need to stop expecting others to change or do things differently, rather we need to start being that change ourselves.

Here is wishing us a happy and proud 75th Independence Day and here’s to being worthy of our India.

Easy peasy evening munchies. Just don’t overdo. Couple of pieces is enough.

Try these out. Tell your kids these are special treats and replace the chocolate Icecream treat foods with these and such similar home made delicacies!!

Mix and match the ingredients. No rules apply. Just make sure to use organic and unprocessed foods.

फणसाची भाजी.
Another seasonal delicacy.
Made this the maharashtrian brahmin style.
Tender Jackfruit is a must during this season. The actual fruit is quite tedious to cut. The outer coat with tough spines and the inner tightly packed fleshy material with the sticky white substance makes it one of the most difficult vegetables to cut and dice.
But these days we also get a tinned/ packed version which is convinient and minimally processed.
Ofcourse nothing beats the fresh fruit but the packed one comes handy for busy bodies.

Can you recognise this?
These are banana blossoms or केळफूल!!
These grow beneath the bunch of developing baby bananas. Even on removing these blossoms the bananas continue to mature and ripen.

Banana blossom curry or bhaji is considered a hyperlocal delicacy to be relished as it is or with a hot fulka!!

Needless to say..... if you see these, definitely try making the bhaji!!

Introducing variety in food to the kids early on and relishing local and traditional foods yourselves is perfect way to inculcate healthy eating habits in your kids!!

I shall be live on Instagram with Baby's Castle . Tomorrow 13th June. Do join in.

The 4 day virtual Summer Camp by begins today!!

The pandemic has not discouraged our team at JDF and we have been conducting online educational sessions for parents and patients with Type1 Diabetes all over the world.

Follow to check out the link for registration!!





manojbhatawdekar bhatawdekar
.jain

☔️🌧 Influenza or Flu is a virus which has been there since many years. There are many types of flu viruses and H1N1 or Swine Flu is one of them. Flu or Influenza has a seasonal occurrence. Meaning we see an increased number of flu cases as per the season.
In India, monsoon and winter are the two Flu seasons where we see an increase in Flu cases.
Recently there has been a lot of discussion about influenza and Flu vaccine in the context of COVID and the supposedly impending third wave.

Here are a few pointers to help parents and individuals decide about the Flu vaccine.
🤧1. Flu vaccine will protect against 4 strains of influenza which are predicted to be circulating during the flu- season. The vaccine will protect against complications of Flu ( such as ear infections, pneumonia, prolonged fever with respiratory complications etc). Such individuals can still get Flu but it is usually mild.

🤧2. Influenza vaccination will not protect against COVID.

🤧3. Influenza vaccination is important and recommended annually for children from 6 months to 5 years of age. The best time to give is before the onset of monsoon.

🤧4. After the age of 5 years the Flu vaccine is recommended in High Risk persons. Meaning those with chronic illnesses and those on immunity suppressing medicines ( including steroids). Such individuals need to take the annual influenza vaccine as they are more susceptible to flu and its complications.

🤧5. After 5 years of age Flu vaccine is optional for healthy children and adults. So those who want it can take it.

🤧6. Influenza vaccine only gives protection against the strains in the vaccine and a repeat vaccination is needed every year before the flu season.

Irrespective of vaccination, we all need to follow all routine precautions of sanitisation, mask and social distancing.

🚨Disclaimer- The post is for general information purpose and to create awareness. For individual clarification it is best to consult your treating doctor or pediatrician.

The humble steel cut oats.
And the upma made out of them. It tastes lovely and has a bit chewy consistency compared to the sooji/rawa upma.

Oats although they started as food for horses, have now become a part of our food habit. They come in various forms and when they newly arrived on the scene they were aggressively marketed as super healthy.
But we need to understand that there is no single superfood and the trick is to balance out and have everything healthy in moderation. The focus must be on locally grown and seasonally fresh produce.
But we can definitely include some of these new additions into our food to bring variation, taste and good nutrition.

Oats come in many varieties and these depend on how much processed they are. The least processed the food the better.
Steel cut oats are whole grains which are just cut into smaller pieces. They absorb water better and cook easier than the uncut version.

Next come the rolled oats. These are pressed and flattened and are more easy to cook compared to the steel cut oats. These are great for porridges, and to include in the batter of our chilas and dosas. They just need to be soaked 10-15 min prior to blending with the chila batter.
I also like to roast these lightly and then grind into a powder to make oatmeal. This is also versatile and can be included in many preparations and also in baby food.

Then come the Fast cooking oats. These are more processed and hence don’t take much time to cook. So these are convenient but not my first choice.

Last in the list are the ready to cook flavoured oats. These may be a go to for lazy bodies but are totally avoidable.

So choose the food wisely and make your own decisions without falling prey to blithe advertising.