How to Teach your Toddler Colors Fast: Budget Friendly

Different ways I taught my son to identify colors fast, quickly, effectively and on a Budget. I used basic things I had around our home to teach him colors. I bought those flash cards but they were either eaten up or torn by my son.  So, I just used things around my house and used few tactics to teach him colors.  So here are tips and tricks that worked in teaching him to identify colors.  I hope these tactics and tips help you.

1. Set time everyday to teach your little one colors
2. Teach one color at a time
3. Be patient
4. Gather all different shapes and sizes in one color you plan on teaching
5. Keep repeating the color you are teaching. For Example, "Ball Red, Red, Red, Red"
6. Create Songs such as singing, "Apples are Red, Red, Red, Red"
7. Continue teaching one color for few days.  Include your child in the activity.  When you are out and about point out that specific color you are teaching.
8.  Spread out your choice of object to teach colors. Lets say you choose to use Paper in color Red. Spread them throughout a little section and have your child pick up those pieces of colors in Red from different parts of your home.
9. Use construction papers, Play Doh, Uno Cards, Legos, Balls or anything you really have at home.
10.  Don't force him to learn the color overnight. Repeat these tips and tricks every few days.

Good Luck! And I hope these tips help you as they have worked for me. Don't forget to Like & Share. Thank you :)

Mumbai Street Style Sandwich Recipe

Bread, Carrots, Peppers, Onions, Cheese, Butter, Chat Masala, Green Chutney, Mayo, Siriracha Sauce

Spread, Butter, Mayo, Siriracha Sauce, Chutney and Some Chat Masala

Add Vegetables and Cheese of your choice

Spread butter on each side and Toast till Crunchy

Yummy Goodness For your Tummy

Insanity Vs. P90X

Okay, so we have all been caught watching late night or early morning infomercials about P90X and Insanity.  I have caught myself eating potato chips and telling myself, I am starting this workout tomorrow.  But than I tell myself do I really want to spend all this money and the end result wont' be good. And I am for sure it doesn't work.  So was I wrong? Yes, I was wrong.

So here is my story and experience with P90X and Insanity. Back in 2009 I was traveling to Afghanistan for work and I saw tons of people in the gym working out in a small room.These people inspired me to just get into it and start working out.

And back in 2010, I started Insanity because I was tired of those typical workouts and I hated driving and going to the gym.  I just HATED IT.  So, one day I just said, what's the harm lets try it out. And so I was on my journey to completing Insanity Workout.

So you may be wondering what were the end results of both programs. Here are my thoughts.

P90X:

•  Weight Training, Yoga, Cardio but major focus is on Weight Training
• Its for folks who want to build muscle and burn Fat. You need weights to finish this whole program
• You won't loose weight overnight.  However, by the end of the program do expect to look toned and loose a lot more fat. I believe I had drooped about 5% of my fat.
• Build a lot of upper and lower body strengths.
• IT WORKED. Even though I didn't loose my goal weight, I did tone up a lot

Insanity:

• Get ready to sweat it out because it's HIGH INTENSITY based Workouts. It's a lot of running around, jumping around, and spinning it out
• 90% hardcore cardio based program
• You will loose weight if you workout and eat healthy
• You won't need weights. Just you, water, towel and DVDs
• I did loose weight and loved it. I could run longer, and breath better
• IT WORKED and accomplished my weight loss goal

So if you are in the market for a good program, BOTH OF these programs WORK just depending on what you are trying to do.  I mainly wanted to loose weight so I would choose Insanity.  It all really comes down to personal goals.  All you really need is MOTIVATION and SELF CONTROL to Accomplish any Program.  Keep in mind, I didn't exactly eat healthy but I was really trying my best to watch everything I put in my mouth.

I hope this helps many of you out there. If you have any questions or comments, just leave them down below. Thank you for reading :-)

Kid Friendly: Tindora Subzi (Ivy Gourd) Recipe

Hello Everyone,

Here is a quick recipe for you and your little one.  I am trying my best to offer the most unique vegetables so my son gets vitamins, nutrients and develops flavor.  Tindora is also known as Ivy Gourd. It's not a very basic recipe however, I made it in a way my son will enjoy it because it's simple and quick. I hope your little one likes it as well.  The reason why I don't provide exact measurements is because every toddler/kid has tolerance for spices so you can add pinch of all the spices listed below.  My goal is to offer variety to develop his little tummy and taste buds.

Ingredients:

• Tindora

• Oil, Salt, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder, Cumin Seeds, Sugar, Chili Powder, Garlic and Ginger
• Potatoes and Tomatoes (Optional). I didn't add them because my son will only eat these 2 vegetables and Skip Tindora

Method:

• Add Oil and Cumin Seeds
• Add Tomatoes (optional) 
• Add Tindora, Potatoes
• Add All the spices listed above per your taste.  
• Cook till the Tindora becomes soft and tender.  I cook them on low heat to get a little crunch.
  
  
  

  

  Before

  

  After

  Enjoy!

Lunch Recipe Idea: Vegetable Wrap With Hummus/Cream Cheese

Super Easy, and Super Quick. This is great recipe for when you are traveling or want a change from typical sandwiches. 

Things You'll need:

• Plain or Flavor Tortilla.  You can even use Roti/bread/Pita Bread
• Hummus (Any Kind)
• Vegetable Cream Cheese (Any Flavor)
• Any Shredded or finely chopped Vegetables. I use Carrots, Capsicum, Jalapenos, Onions. 
• Butter

 Method:

• Toast the store bought Tortilla since it's bit chewy and not fully cooked.  You can cook it on stove top or any sort of flat pan. Let it cool down for about a minute
• Spread Hummus and Cream Cheese. Do not over spread
• Spread Vegetables. Do not over stuff
• Wrap the tortilla.  
• Spread some butter on outer layer and Toast for 1 minute on each side on medium/Low Heat.

Enjoy!

How I lost 1.5 Pounds per Week

Breakfast:

* Black Tea or Coffee with artificial sweetener

* Half a Packet of Instant Oatmeal or 1 Banana 

 

Snack:

* 1 Cup Raw Carrots

 

Lunch:

* Salad with 1 ounce of Beans, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Broccoli, Onions with 1 tablespoon of Fat Free/Light Dressing

* 1 Fruit

 

Snack:

String Cheese and unsalted Almonds

 

Dinner:

* Boiled Vegetables with Oregano, Garlic, Red Chili Flakes, Lemon. NO Salt

* Salad with lots of vegetables, 1 tablespoon of dressing. Add Boiled Chicken or Fish

* 1 Fruit

 

Bed Time Snack:

Tea with half teaspoon of Artificial Sweetener

 

How I got my 22 Month Old Toddler to Eat

As parents we all struggle to get all the nutrients and vitamins into our little ones. Let's face it, we try our best but we can't always be successful.  My son has been a poor eater since he was born and when he is teething it gets worse.  After about 20 months, I had enough of it because he just wouldn't eat no matter what I put on his plate.  So, after reading many things online, talking to doctors, nutritionist and other parents here are the tips and tricks that worked for me. I hope they work for you as they have worked for me.

• Be prepared mentally. Put your foot down and get strong for about a week.
• Offer Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Snack.
• Do not offer any meals or snacks in between.
• Put a plate of food with 3 options.  For Example, Lunch put whatever you want them to eat, veggies and 1 thing they enjoy.
• If they don't eat any of it, ask if they are done with the meal. If done, take the plate away.
• DO NOT OFFER any other foods if they did not eat their meal or snack.
• Distract them if they skipped their meal/snack because you want them to feel  and understand the hungry feeling. 
• Eat same foods yourself that you want them to eat.
• Eat Together as family. 
• BEING STRICT FOR FEW DAYS WITH A STRICT ROUTINE WILL REALLY HELP. The goal of this is to change their behavior towards eating.
• THEY WILL EAT when they are HUNGRY.  It's harder for us to see them not eat for 2,3 hours than it is for them.   

I hope these tips help you. Good Luck