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By Suvarna Radhika Devi Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n For e.g. health benefits of quinoa include high protein content, good source of vitamins and minerals, presence of antioxidants and high fiber content which acts as a natural laxative. Here are a few ideas that worked for us:<\/span> Potato sheera – <\/b>recipe at Tarladalal<\/a><\/p>\n Kale chips – <\/b>recipe at Modern Parents Messy Kids<\/a><\/p>\n Quinoa banana mash – <\/b>recipe at Weelicious<\/a><\/p>\n Buckwheat (kuttu) muffins – <\/b>recipe at Totalveg<\/a> Gauranga potaotes – <\/b>recipe at Krishna.com<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/food.krishna.com\/sites\/food.krishna.com\/files\/imagecache\/Image500W\/kurma_gauranga_potatoes_500_0.jpg\")
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\nAs Vaishnavas, we observe ekadashi(11th day of the lunar cycle) fasting twice a month – which means that we avoid grains and beans on that day. Since I introduced solids for N I have tried to follow this diet for him on ekadashi days. <\/span>
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\nAs per my understanding, fasting is not compulsory for children – especially below 5 years. But I preferred giving him non-grain meals. While the spiritual benefits of this are immense, I personally find Ekadashi days to be a great opportunity for my son to eat some non-grain super foods like quinoa, samo and amaranth. <\/span><\/p>\n
Samo (Also known as Foxtail Millet, Varai, Varagu, Khododhan, Kodra, Kodon) contains a good amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and thus comprises a balanced meal. It is also rich in calcium.
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\nI<\/span>t is a tradition which allows us to expand our diet as well as give the digestive system some rest from processed and refined grains. <\/span>As a baby, in the initial months, there was some rejection to ekadashi foods – but now at 15 months I find that N loves the different ekadashi recipes and actually eats more on ekadashi days!<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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\nSamo kheer <\/b>– Cook 1\/4 cup samo in 1 litre milk for 15-20 minutes (the grains will swell up) Then add 8 Tbsp sugar. <\/span>
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\nSamo\/Quinoa pulav<\/b> – I just make this similar to regular pulav with ekadashi veggies and spices.<\/span>
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\nSago(sabudana) kheer<\/b> – Same like samo kheer – just replace samo with sago pre-soaked overnight. <\/span>
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\nAvacado\/Banana\/Mango milk shake<\/b><\/span>
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\nBaked sweet potatoes – <\/b>Just bake them whole in oven for 45 minutes at 180-200C. (Till cooked). Then peel, mash and mix with milk and little sugar.<\/span>
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\nBaked potatoes – <\/b>I use desiree potatoes for this. (You can use any large potatoes). Grease baking tray with coconut oil\/ghee and dust with spices like corriander powder, salt, pepper and amchur (dried mango powder) Slice potatoes vertically and into slices. (You can even just leave as vertical halves). Rub in tray and bake till golden.<\/span>
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\nPotato and spinach pie – <\/b>Boil and mash potatoes. Spice them and press in bottom of greased tray. Add second layer of boiled spinach leaves. Cover with shredded cheese. Bake until cheese melts. (Adjust quantities as per size of tray.)
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\nSamo and groundnut curry – <\/b>recipe at Namita’s Kitchen<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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\nCoconut cake – <\/b>recipe at Krishna.com<\/a> <\/b><\/p>\n