Hi savya,
here your complete reply...

1. protein vegie foods : tofu n soy products,whole wheat,,brocolli,brown rice,almonds and dry fruits(above 1 year,,better to give when kids get all of their teeth and are able to chew it,,great to give it boiled but in ne forms after 1 year),,,peanuts and its products (cooked,roasted,without skin,, 1year and above),whole wheats/grains,,potato/sweet potato,lentils,black beans,kidney beans(all beans pref above 1 year,always take small qty and lots of vegies,,),chickpeas ( 1year and above ), pinto beans,black eyes peas( all peas,beans,1year and above),lima beans,quinoa cooked,tempeh,seitan,bulgar wheat and its products,spinach,cooked sweet corn,sprouted moongs and other sprouts ( overcooked,mashed,for 6months and above,,not the chana sprouts,,chana spouts after 1 year),,hard cheeses,,muesli and eggs( if you are eggitarean,egg yolks after 8months complete.,,and whites after 1 years.)..other vegies that include lil amts proteins are carrots,apples,fresh cream(from milk,1 year and above). and milk prods...

black channa ok to give, make sure to saute it with garlic pwder(lil) and avoid giving channa as much as you can...instead if you want to give,,,give roasted yellow channa that often comes with cover in the mouthfreshner section of indian stores,,one or 2/3/4 is more than enough for 1 year old...( only if he has not shown ne gas or ne allergies or side effects,,,,) for ne protein rich foods,,,cross check for allergies,,rashes,eczemas,,stomach upsets,....

2. while buying tofu, genrally, there are three types : soft, semi soft or hard,,,go for the soft one,,throw it in cooker,,yumyyy,soft and mushy,,bake it with lil butter in over, for 350,for 10mins or until cooked/light brownd,,,good to go,,,saute it with lil oil/ghee or butter,,in a really hot non stick pan,,until you see it becoming pinkish,,good to go...your tofu dries up or becomes rubbery,,because of overcooking it,,,for faster cooking,chop it finely with a good knife,,so that you dont mash it at the same time get the small cubes,,just right for babies mouth...
tofu is cooked when a pinkish layer is formed,,no need to go until its total browed,,can be mashed raw and throw it in yogurt,milkshakes,or offer alone with sauces,,,,your baby khichdi, rice,dals etc,,,soft is always great to use..

3. check my post to preethi dated 12th oct,06,,with subject,dear hetal,need your advice,,,the same post has some links wherein there are great tips by me and other moms as well,,pastas recipe in the same link....ne ques,,let meknow,,

4.i answered this urgently so that you can work on it,,let me know how is it going,,,ne other bowel problems ??

now about your mil probs,,at first, she cares about your lil one,,thats why she is so worried about him..
watever remedies she is doing,,is to the extent of her knowledge and what she thinks has worked in before,,irrespective of the later consequences,,,well, elders do that,,its pretty common, we cant do much about it..you have to understand that its difficult to get them out of their thoughts and make them believe what drs say these days,,,they have lived with all these remedies,,brought their kids(your dh) with these remedies only,,and you have seen their health,,right,,,
just answer me one question : arent your dh and his siblings all healthy and fit and fine ?? if yes, thn your mil remedies in long run did prove healthy,,,and the only reason is that they are natural...

its a diff issue that being a mother of 21st century,,and that you are aware of the things,,,you feel that these have become a traditional but you have to understand and respect the sentiment behind it.....its not always that modern practises count,,sometimes you have to bend your knees to what elders say...

i understand it could have proved life threatning, but you have to also understand that she feels happy with what she gained,,in this case, success that she was able to get rid of cold in 24 hours,,,old people n elders are there in their last phases of lives,,so if i were you i will just blessings from them,,instead of trying to win over them or be against them nd creating a mess..
she is right now alone, as to what i see from your post,,and a lady without her dh feels often alone and feels great about these lil things and to get attention...
i could see your maturity that reflected in your words,,that you are not a lady who would continue the arguement when your dh is tired,,but your mil contnued the arguemnt,,,,which shows your maturity level is much more than your mil,,and in that case,,i really appreciate your acts/responses...and i will say that if you are so mature in understanding in your husbands expressions and body language that he is tired, and all,,i guess i am sure you will understand your mother in law sentiments...

since you hv experienced with your mil not going good with your maids too,,the best thing to do is,,let your child visit daycare or some friend who is ready to babysit your child for a couple hours,atleast whenever he is sick !!i know its hard,,no other mother would babysit someone else sick child,,but if you have close relative or frind or someone who understand this,,m sure, they will be ready to help you out...or jst call one of the relative to your place whenever your baby is sick,,how about your mom,,so that your mom will keep your mil busy with talks and your mil wont get a chance to give him a trial of medicines that she has...,,
well thats the only way i see if you are so much scared about your mil giving diff medicines to your son...i understand the pressures involved here, but then that the only way,,,if thats wat scares you so much in leaving your son with her...and from all what i read i do understnd that your son was given medicnes only when he was not well or showed some discomfort,,right,,thn its wrong on your part to be scared about your mil actions about giving medicines when its not needed,,,
well, all mothers have heart that care,,some are innocent of the modern practises and some have knowledge reg the other things,,,,and when there is such a big generation gap thats taking care of new baby in house,,this is quite obvious,,,

just feel happy that your son has such a caring grandma,,i have seen people crying that their kids dont have grandparents,,,lemme admit,my baby is one of them,,her grandparents are in india,,longing to see her but things are lined up that neither they can make up nor can i !!!
so,my only advice,,,think about all the good things your mil taught you in rearing your 1 year old,,if at all you can list the things that have done good to you or your fmly or your son,,these couple failures should be ignored..sometimes even drs makes mistakes,,but you dont blame your dr,,do you ??? so the best thing,is find a way thats respects everyone opinion,sentiments and yet you are able to get the things done the way you want,,why make a mess and create a insecured feeling to someone who is trying to help in whatever way she knows,,is right,,,,,

the other thing you can do,,understand her and with the same logic, make her explain as to how garlic proved hot to your 1 year old,,and tell if needed that drs says that garlic drops can b givn but after 5 years of age,,,and that we gave it a bit early...try to modernize her thinking with respect to current trend by making her involved in diff womens society in temples around you like ladies of same age,,,,often these ladies chat there and discuss these things,,in that they also learn how to improve their own thinking and leave behnd the traditional practises,,,,just like the way we all are doing it here,,sharing and knowing from eeachothers,,,,,right,,,,so you can try tht,,,,

so thats all i have for you,,you take care, and you have a happy diwali !!! Saavya replied. Thank you very much.
Yes u r right. my mil gvs medis only whn my son gets sick. i wl mk her join some actvities. if she meets othr people she wl undrstnd propr usage.

god bless you. Happy Diwali to you and your family.
Love to nirja and lil one.