A Lazy Mummy's tips and tricks page

Throw back 2020 - New business founded!

2021-03-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

Smacked right into end of first quarter of 2021! Wow! Time flies!

I have not been revisiting blog for so long! Why? Well for a good course! And I am back!

Throw back on 2020! A year of darkened days, no exaggeration! It's a year start of a pandemic! As the saying goes, we are all living like the year of the Lunar zodiac, the year of rat. All locked at home, leaving the house just to scurry for food, then all rushed back to lock ourselves into safety.

Though the world is in turmoil of darkness, our outlook still determines how the year is spent. A positive outlook helps sustain our days with a brighter insight to what we can achieve and turns crisis into opportunities!

In 2020, trapped home with the rest of the family, turned to be an opportunity of new start for me. Yup! I picked up a new hobby, learnt something and got certified to teach a new art form! Pastel Nagomi art!

So what is Pastel Nagomi art? Basically it's a Japan founded artform that allows us to create beautiful art pieces in the simplest way with very basic tools. A tool that most of us are born with , fingers! Yup, you are right! Fingers!

In the past 1 year, I have not only picked up a new hobby, started a new business, but also learnt many new traits just from home.

Cooking , yup stuck at home forced me to relearn and better my culinary skills to feed the family. Well!To be honest, just a teeny winny bit better. At least no one suffered any food poisoning, or complaint much. Haha.

Also, I started :

1. My youtube channel! Yippie finally!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP24PAzjcpaRJSGrHkOrQOQ/featured

2. Online art teaching business:

https://youcanartsg.wordpress.com/

3. Lastly, my own virtual museum!

https://www.artsteps.com/view/60480e38e7b05e52ebdecbf6

I will share further details in my next coming blog. Meanwhile, do enjoy some of these beautiful art in my uploaded images and visit my new shop for more!

Dr know

2018-04-24T05:02:00.004-07:00

encourage question bottle

Noelle: Mummy! Can orange ever be salty?

Mummy: Perhaps not. I am not sure.

Noelle: Can I drop a note into Dr. Know?

Mummy: Of cos!

Since the last sharing on reasons kids stop askings, we started a project within the family! Or rather, a new channel of  asking questions.

Dr. Know:  
Everyone can choose to drop a note into a little bottle, with questions they may have but has not gotten answers.  Whenever someone is free, we could  pick any note and “Accept the challenge”  to find the answers. Answers could either be in the form of a script, powerpoint slides,  or a verbal explanation. 

We would share our findings in a short gathering before bed or when everyone is available to listen.

Pros of Dr. Know: 
This would not only sparks interest in asking questions, but also for everyone to learn as a family.  

It would also help build a child’s ability to remember facts, and present what they have learnt.

Why don’t you start your own little knowledge bottle and share with us your experience? 

Your children have stopped turning to you for answers? Here's why.

2018-04-17T05:26:00.003-07:00

Questions

Ethan: Mummy?

Mum: Ya?

Ethan: Can I ask you something?

Mum: mm hmm

Ethan: Why is rainbow arched? And not a straight line? 

Mum: Don't know.  

Is this a common scenario for you? 

Recently, a friend commented, "Kids, nowadays, do not ask their parents anything anymore. Especially not their school work." I asked why, and she explained, " Cos they know they will not receive any answers. " 

The fact is, this may not have to be the situation.  Parents still play an important role guiding children how and where to source for answers together. Factors that retains respect and interest in your child's communication with you starts from your reactions and solutions. 

Reactions: 

Instead of a simple "No", you could adopt a listening approach and shows interest in listening in. For example, you could ask "What do you think?" or "It could be ..." or "I am not sure, but ..."  

These reactions would show that you are open to discussions and help them, even if you do not know the answer. 

Solutions: 

Do not be surprise that many people may not know answers to many things that are surrounds us in our daily lives. Yet, it's through the simplest eyes, and budding curiosity of the little ones that help us to realize these. 

Instead of stopping at No, or cook up a story, why not acknowledge our ignorance and find answers together.  You could sit down with your little one to read through a book, or search Dr. Google together. This would be a great bonding opportunity, as well as a chance to guide them how to find answers. 

Most importantly, this is a great way to show our kids, it's alright to not know everything. But it is important to ask and know where to find the answers. 

Good Friday! What does it means to kids?

2018-03-28T05:05:00.001-07:00

Good Friday, a day we all love as Saturday and Sunday tails after.

Good Friday, well, all Fridays are Great! Aren't they?

So what is the story of Good Friday?

On a more serious note, Good Friday is a day we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. To redeem us of our sins, a day of our repentance.

Let us remember to share this important day with our little one. That Jesus came to earth as a human to suffer and sacrifice himself, because God loves you and me.

How does Easter egg come about on this special day?

Easter egg signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ 3 days later, as egg symbolizes a new life.

Enclosed a Good Friday youtube video link that I came across. Why not share this with your little ones to may enjoy whilst learning about this festival.

Why not take this occasion to also gather paint some eggs with your little ones, and organise a game of egg hunting?

Happy Easter! Mummies and Daddies!

Credit: Photo by Jasmine Waheed on Unsplash

Looking for some good bedtime devotional materials for kids? Try these .

2016-12-19T20:58:00.001-08:00

It all started one day when a friend asked me, “So what are some of the materials you use to share with your kids during devotion?” Though it’s a simple question, but it sparked a sound doubt within myself. As a believer, I used to rely on kid’s story books, Sunday schools and lecturing the kids as and when the need arises as parental guidance. However, is that sufficient?

My friend’s question started me searching, and wondering if there’s more I could do. Especially with the kids growing by the day, their level of maturity has gone beyond just kid’s biblical stories. As usual, I started asking “Dr Google” and browsing books stores and other resources, and have since been adopting a few tools to share.

Keys for kids : This is a great online tool where a daily story is shared relating to a biblical passage, and kids walk away with a Key for the day. As the stories are revolving around kids, children can easily relate to the characters situation.
Family Devotion books: As the stories could be revolving on any members within the family, kids could relate to some of the situations and learn about God’s teachings in their daily practises and some even more complicated situations.
Our daily Bread: There is even a mobile app for this, where we could download and play over the mobile phone. There will be a biblical passage shared everyday relating closely to the daily bread passage.

Of course, on some of the days, we could simply sit together to reflect on what has been going on within the day and simply give thanks and praises for what we have received.

Do you have a similar bedtime practises with your kids? How do you bond and end the daily with your loved ones? You are most welcome to drop a note on your thoughts or any resources you may have to share.

Looking to meaningful use of your preloved items this season? Here's how .

2016-12-16T01:37:00.000-08:00

Wow! Have you started counting down to Christmas? It seemed like Christmas was a month away just yesterday, and now we are barely 8 days away from the season!

Perhaps by now, many would have been well prepared for the festivity, well rested for the month of December and have spent some quality time with your kids, and completed your shopping lists?

As for us, we have just been back from a short family trip and are gearing up for some spring cleaning this weekend, and looking forward to some time with friends and extended family members.

For any one that is probably also spring cleaning the home, and might have gathered some preloved toys, books and clothings, you may be wondering what are the avenues to put these items to meaningful use. Why not take this festivity to also bless someone with any of your preloved items that are still in good conditions?

I have enclosed a list of charity sites which you may find useful:

It maybe also a great time to remember that blessings that we have received and in turn extend this blessings and bring some warmth and touch the lives of someone else or another child.

Enclosed a list of means you could extend your blessings by fulfilling the wish or needs of a less fortunate child. If you are keen to touch the live of a child, enclosed the web for more details http://www.wishingwell.org.sg/programs/gaw/

Just a gentle reminder to ourselves that as we have received a blessed fulfilling good year, let’s not forget to also take this opportunity to extend this blessing to someone else and bring some warmth into their lives.

What have you achieved this holiday? Why not do these?

2016-12-06T17:42:00.003-08:00

Wow! Can you believe it? We are already two weeks over in the middle of the December holiday! (Much as we hate to face it). What’s more we are 2.5 weeks counting down to Christmas! So have you and the little ones started Christmas planning and preparation?

For those of you that have not, all is not too late! Just like you, I had been sitting on my holidays planning and only just “awakened” realizing Christmas is less than a month away! And to my horror! School will be starting soon after!

Nevertheless, all is not too late! There are still loads of activities we could plan and participate with the little ones and enjoy memorable moments!

Why not check out the community centres/clubs around you to find out what are the celebration activities upcoming!

Some other places or interest such as Science Centres and Zoological gardens are also hosting interesting holiday programs and exhibits catered specifically for the December break.

Not forgetting to check out the malls for lots of performance and craft programs for the little ones.

I will be sharing some findings in upcoming posts. Hope it’s not too late to get you geared for the weeks to come!

Why not drop a list or two you have visited lately to share?

Game cards exchange by NLB: Great ways to encourage holiday reading

2016-11-30T21:34:00.002-08:00

Wow! Time flies! We are smacked right in the middle of second week of school holidays!

So mummies, most of you must have been kept busy sending your darlings to camps or packing and counting down to your holiday trips!

Sorry to say, I had been sitting on my plannings with my fat bum for weeks! And am only now warming up to the planning. Good thing, my three little tweets (Annotation below) had been kept busy making trips to libraries borrowing and returning books, with the ultimate aim of making a last minute effort to collect book bugs cards.

For mummies that may not have made trips to the libraries recently, the nlb occassionally encourage kids picking up reading through launching different series of programmes, lately a collection of game cards. The little readers could exchange their receipts for game cards upon completing every 8 books.

So what are these cards for? You may refer to the enclosed link for a details on the list of cards as well as game play instructions. http://www.nlb.gov.sg/discovereads/book-bugs-list/

This season they have launched the bugs card till end Dec. And my little readers have only just started! Got to rush now! To head home and send them to the library again. Why not hurry down to the library with your darlings and start a collection!

Notes: By now you probably used to me naming them tweets, as I always visualize them tweeting busily around like little birds when they play together

Fun Kids holiday camp this December!

2016-11-21T03:58:00.001-08:00

Yeah! December holiday is finally here! After entire year of spellings, intensive school work and exams, a well deserved break has finally arrived!

So, what have you planned to keep your little ones occupied this holiday? If there is no specific plans yet, why not consider some of these camp options?

Camps with the Singapore Zoo:

Consider a camp at the zoo, or enrol them to some of the zoo programs for an experience of be a zoo keeper for a day. There is also a family overnight camp program where kids learn to pit their tent and spend a night under the starlit sky at the zoo.

For more details, visit http://www.zoo.com.sg/special-experiences/camps.html

Activesg December school holiday sports programmes:

For the active little ones, why not enrol them to some of the sports programs for an opportunity to vent of some of their energy while picking up some sports? Activesg is offering a comprehensive list of sports programs, such as badminton, archery, scuba, dance classes and the list goes on, for little ones. You will most likely be able to find a program at one of the sports hall near your neighbourhood.

For more details, visit https://www.myactivesg.com/start-out/children-youth/activesg-school-holiday-sports-programmes.

Coding camps with Roboto Academy:

For the IT savy little ones, why not explore http://www.roboto.sg/courses.html for a course selection to develop your kid's flair for coding or game development? There is a wide array of options ranging from game development, web development, Apps development and beginner courses.

Hope you find the list useful, happy holidays!

Little chef's recipe: Muah Chi

2015-11-30T07:49:00.000-08:00

Lately, my three big babies (I love to nickname them tweets, as in tweeting chirpy birds as they are always chirping making excited noises) expressed interests in getting their hands dirty helping out in the kitchen preparing food. That's good right?! With some encouragements and coaching, I might be able to train some budding handy helpers. Besides, it's good time they pick up some self surviving skills.

However, I should with something small and simple. Nothing too difficult, nor messy (I hope!)

Anyhow, here's the first little chef's recipe ...

Ingredients:

- Glutinous rice flour (1 pack)
- Half a cup of water
- 1 small pack of Sesame seeds (Roasted if possible)
- 1 pack of grounded peanut
- Sesame oil

1. Add about 2 cups of glutinous rice flour to half half cup to 3/4 cup of water, mix well to form a gluey mixture. Stir in about 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to add a shiny oil coat to the mixture.

2. Once the flour is well mixed, with all lumps disappearing, place it in a pot to steam for about 10-15 minutes.

3. While the glutinous rice paste, start working on the peanut coating. Mix about two cups of the pounded peanuts with half a teaspoon of sugar, and about 1-2 table spoon of sesame seeds for added fragrance. Finally stir in about 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the peanut mixture.

4. Once the glutinous rice is cooked, roll the entire gluey paste into the peanut mixture. Use a scissors to cut the paste into small chunks and roll them into the peanut mixture till it's well coated.

The yummy dessert is done! Enjoy!

Note: You might also want to add in some flax seeds powder to the peanut mixture for added nutrients for your little ones.

2015 December holiday : Activities at the malls

2015-11-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

Hey! It's end of year! And time to soak in some Christmas festivity mood with the family!

Here's a list of some children activities to choose from.

Play IT Forward with Fraserpoint mall:

With a minimum contribution of $5, you not only get into the spirit of giving, but also enjoys a 15 minutes free play in a ball pool. The same pool will be making its rounds in different malls till Nov 2016.

Please refer to Fraserpoint Mall portal for more details.

Alvin and The Chipmunks Live Show Plus Meet & Greet :

Eastpoint Mall Atrium (Level 1) from 8 to 13 December 2015 Time: 1pm, 4pm, 7pm

The Centrepoint Atrium, Level 1 from 20 to 29 November 2015

1pm, 4pm, 7pm

There are also several other Alvin and The Chipmunks craft workshop. Please refer to Fraser Point Mall for more details.

Conquer the North Pole:

With minimum spending of $30, you get to form a team of 3 members and participate in a 15 minutes board game with prizes to be won. Happening from 30 November 2015.

Venue: YewTee Point, Causeway Point and Northpoint. (The Malls at the North).

For further details, refer to Fraser Point Mall portal.

Colouring contest by Fraser Centrepoint Mall: 4Generation colouring contest

2015-11-25T15:29:00.002-08:00

Hurry! Fraserpoint Mall is organizing a colouring contest !

The contest is opened to participants from all age groups. No joke! All age groups are covered, submission date from 16 October to 30 November 2015. Prizes includes dining and shopping vouchers worth up to $50.

Entries to be submitted to Easpoint Mall!

Hurry down to the customer service for more details!

Year end family friendly shopping malls and workshop calendar of events upcoming

2015-11-15T20:57:00.002-08:00

Yippee! As year end break is round the corner, families young and old are counting down to a cool year end break, looking for places to source their Christmas list, and for the young to soak into the atmosphere of the festive mood.

I will be compiling a list of free year end family shopping “to go” and will be sharing as I come across new additions.

Keep a look out!

Parenting: Importance of Humor

2015-11-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

Humor, eases one from difficult or awkward situations.

Humor, downplays criticism and may even turns a negative situation to a positive opportunity.

Humor, diminishes damage in a child in a bullied scenario.

Humor, changes others perspective of you when skillfully applied.

Humor, cushions hurt if a negative feedback or news is to be conveyed. Of course only if delivered appropriately.

Most importantly, humor helps us maintain a light hearted positive perspective in life. As a result, a healthier body, mind and soul. Afterall, laughter is the best medicine.

Wouldn't a sense of humor be one of the best supplement we could inject into our children?

Have you taken your humor dosage today?

Is monsoon coming? Bye bye haze?

2015-10-31T06:49:00.003-07:00

Never have we been so happy with the heavy draft and the year end downpours.

The howling wind has been making music lately at the other side of the apartment. Though the skies are grey, with menancing clouds in the horizon signifying threats of storm, yet we are awaiting with welcoming arms.

This could mean year end monsoon is here, turning the table and sending the dense haze back home! And we can possibly expect healthier psi.

But of course, we still pray for some mercy of sunshine with continuous wind in the right direction, so that kids could play.

Lazy Recipe: Carrot soup

2015-10-27T17:31:00.001-07:00

Lazy recipe: Shredded Carrot soup.
This is our ALL TIME FAVOURITE recipe passed down from my grandmother's generation! It's a very unique, super yummy nutrient rich soup that the family, young and old, will grow to love it's sweetness, saltiness, and color rich flavour! I will follow up with a photo attachment once available.

1. 2-3 Carrots of course! Depending on serving size.(Washed and shredded)
2. Minced chicken or pork.
3. 2-3 eggs (Depending on serving size.
4. Sesame oil

Preparation steps:
1. Heat a pan/wok with half a table spoon of sesame oil
2. Add in the shredded carrots, and stir fry for a short while till you can smell the gentle fragrance of the carrots
3. Add 1.5-2 soup bowls of water (Enough to fill half the wok/2/3 pan)
4. Let the soup simmer, and add in mince pork/chicken once soup starts to boil
5. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, add in eggs, you should see a layer of egg white floating on soup.
6. Simmer another 1 minute, soup is ready to serve.

Parenting: Don't jump in to help.

2015-10-26T21:09:00.001-07:00

Parenting is a life long learning journey. Did you realized that from the moment your baby is born, you have gone through multiple emotional adjustments, and probably read the most number of books in your lifetime and received the Most number of advises you've had before.

By now, you and I would have fully understood, down to the core, the bitter sweet taste of parenthood, and it is a marathon of no return.

One of the most valuable lessons that I learnt came from my son's teacher and my husband. As a mother, our natural instinct is to provide, to the extent we could even anticipate what our little cubs would be needing next, and just jump in to help or just stand by the solutions.

During the teacher's feedback session, I struggled to understand what was the teacher's concern when she mentioned my boy needs to be more independent. She shared that most of the time he does not seem to know her requests, nor remember instructions given earlier. However, his assignments are always completed on time and he is able to follow through what was taught in school! So what was the problem? &

It was only after a long conversation and with my husband's help that I was able to identify the issue. The issue was myself, as I had been always providing, and checking my son's work, filling up forms myself making sure all is ready and submitted on time. As a result my boy was oblivious of what's going on.

From then on, I constantly reminded myself to hands off, do not jump in to help and refrain from checking his bag. Instead, simple verbal reminders are provided. It was tough at first, and I started receiving numerous text messages from the teachers. However, it was a phase and slowly my boy is more alert to what is happening at school, forms and papers requiring signatures are brought to my attention.

Parenting: Avoid comparisons of children from conversations

2015-10-22T05:01:00.001-07:00

Conversation surrounding exams preparation and exchanges of stresses levels always the top of the lists during these period. Followed by exchanges of holiday plans, and examination outcome and results when the fever period is over.

I recalled a conversation with an acquaintance before.
Me: " So glad examinations are over! Time for a well deserved break! "
A:" Oh my kids are still going tuition, preparing for next year."
Me:" So soon?"
A:"Ya.So how did your kids fair this year? "
Me:"Ok, Most important is he tried his best. "
A:"What is his score for Maths and Science? "

This is the typical conversation that i always avoid, and strongly discourage. Simply because of it's possible impact on the morale and confidence of the children.

Very commonly parents love to compare notes to learn how their kids performed against others. However, it maybe just as important to know this would pose a negative impact to our own children, either feeding into their pride if their results were good
, or demoralized them if they did not perform well.

Instead it maybe a healthier conversation to just exchange on the best practice and whether the child's performance is up to parents expectations, as every child is unique with varying potentials.

Children should be encouraged by setting goals according to their capabilities and encouraged to strive to achieve and outdo their last performance.

Besides, what is there to compare? When the kids are not even in the same schools nor class! Totally absurd.

5 FREE indoor places for family

2015-10-19T23:31:00.001-07:00

With the prevailing haze, families could be scurrying for indoor air conditioned facilities to spend the weekends. For families with kids, indoor playgounds could be a hot favourite. However, not everyone could afford paid facilities that clock by the hours in the 2 digit dollars. Especially not if you have more than 1-2 kids!

I have put together a list of locations that might be helpful for families looking for alternative options that are pocket friendly, yet allowing both yound and old to spend the weekend free from haze!

Changi Airport T3 - This is one place that has become one of the favorite family haunt, shopping for the adults, and free giant slides and play areas for the kids to keep everyone occupied for hours. Also, there is a small free playgound for the smaller kids, and a little craft corner where young and old can just do some coloring on wooden decoupage with crayons provided.
Ikea, another great family indoor haunt, adults can just check in their kids for an hour in the free indoor play gym, while they shop and try out all their favourite furnishings and get some family make up inspirations.
Museums! Singapore Philatelic Museum, and National Museums to name a few, these venues are free for citizens! In fact, this is a great avenue for young and old to take a walk into our history through stamps( for Philateluc museum), or learn from the ever changing and renewing exhibits. There are also some interactive games and displays for the young or young at heart!
The New Water Visitor Center! Learn about the water treatment system and take a free guided tour to appreciate our new water system! Kids can also learn from the games, exhibits and guided tours and be entertained for hours.

5. Last but not least, National Library or any of your neighbourhood public library! There are even story telling sessions and free workshops that you could sign up yourself or your kids to learn and experience something new! Of course, you could immerse yourself for and adventure in the forest of books available. What's more! It's exam season round the corner! Where else should you go?! Study la!

Hope this list is useful! Will add in more if more comes to mind. :)

Top 10 indoor activities during hazy days

2015-10-18T23:42:00.001-07:00

Haze are back! If you are one of the parents stuck, lost and surrounded by several restless kids. You may find this list useful for ideas of how to spend the weekends indoors!

1- board game: Snake & ladder, monopoly
2- For something a little more physical, win, lose or draw, musical chair?
3- How about reminiscing the our childhood days introducing kids to traditional
games, such as 5 stones, carrom, or card games like Donkey, Snap?
4- Start a simple family movie time, pamper yourself with some pillows and pop corns thrown in.
5- do a craft together, Orgiami, make a Dollhouse,Felt crafts or simply make a card n send to extended friends or family members. These can keep the family occupied an entire day.
6- How about letting your kids be a mini chef for a day and whip up some simple tummy treats together? Such as simple bakery or dessert. Eg. Muah Chi or no bake Cheese Cake.
7. How about running some simple Science Experiment together with your kids? Let them experience fun learning for a change? Eg. dancing berries experiment, errupting volcano, or swimming paper board fish?
8. Run a family exercise video and have a session of areobics together
9. How about a simple game of Simon says
10. Simply take this opportunity to spring clean, as the dusts settles in more quickly anyway, why not do this as a family and enjoy a clean organised space together?

Affordable berries option!

2015-10-17T03:11:00.002-07:00

As berries and vege smoothie meal is part of my weekly health housekeeping regime, affordable berries has become a highly sought after grocery addition.

Fresh strawberries and blue berries are easily available in local supermarkets, but they tend to cost us a steep $3 over dollars for a puny 150g punnet! For a regular consumer, this is barely affordable! I tend to pounce at offers and stock up for any offers with less than $2.5 per punnet, still it's quite a hefty sum for health food.

I was greatly delighted with our find in Joo Koon Warehouse Club, Kirkland Frozen strawberries, and mixed berries all packed in zipper bags. For a good 2.7 kg, the item costs slightly over $20. For frequent consumption, either for bakery, salad or Smoothies, these unsweetened frozen fruits works great and is definitely cheaper than the fresh berries option.

Parenting: Every child is different, let's love them all the same.

2015-10-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

Thank God, for a rare opportunity to catch up with a colleague who is not a regular in office, we exchanged how we are doing, what have we been up to, and how are we all feeling lately. These are valuable little moments of time stolen off our busy routine to unwind and get to know people around us better.

This mummy of three shared an ordeal of managing the youngest son, very smart but with a very unique and strong character, whom would refuse to follow instructions even in school. He would even reject teacher's requests to participate in class activities, and refuse to complete test papers which are compulsory at the end of term. Even carrots do not work to entice him, and he would rather get nothing then to do something, if he would please. As this has gone to a point beyond teachers nor school counselors could manage, the mother is advised to bring the child to seek psychological assistance.

Having heard the tired and troubled mummy's elaboration, I had to agree that every child is different. Even within the family, my three fast growing little ones are unique in their own way. There is the reserved, intelligent, loving yet sometimes bullying eldest boy, the mischievous, sunny yet sensitive second son, and the very loving, caring, industrious yet domineering baby girl. They all have their very unique lovely and challenging traits alike.

Parenting, is indeed a draining yet fulfilling role! Over the years, I have researched, tried and tested so many methodologies, nothing is full prove, yet from every lessons or books, every experience learnt from other parents gave us valuable exposures. Still, the bottom line is always love, patience, communication and perseverance.

Love every child as they are, love them with all our heart and soul.

Patience, all the time is never enough, to teach or explain, and wait for them to be enlightened, to absorb our teachings, or to sooth a tantrum.

Communication, the bridge into our children's soul, to open up their mind to be receptive of our words. We need to ensure this bridge is in place and nourished from the moment they are born till as long as we are there for them.

Perseverance, no number of nags, preaching, disciplining or negotiation is too many for the message to sink in to the little minds, yet, with perseverance, we will be rewarded with results one day.

The only ingredient that might differ, is the methodology of discipline and executing parameters.

I believe these are the 4+1 key ingredients that would help us overcome any challenges when dealing with most kids.

All the best to mummies and daddies!

Hydrating and cleansing soup for health

2015-10-15T17:38:00.005-07:00

This is a second recipe put together to counter our health deterioration as a result of consistent haze inhalation due to our recent bad weather and poor air quality.

This soup is very 滋润，in other woulds nourishing to our health, great for respiratory cleansing and body hydrating.

Ingredients:

2-3 Honsai pear (depending on serving size) cut half and devoted.
Pork ribs (250-400 gram) depending on serving size.
12-15 red dates
Wolfberries (about 30 gram or 2 tablespoons)

Preparation:

Wash all ingredients set aside for use
Remove seeds from red dates
Run the ribs through boiling hot water to remove stale smells and blood
Boil 2/3 pot of hot water
Add in all ingredients and bring to boil for about 10 mins
Add 3-4 teaspoons for salt
Reduce heat and let simmer for another 40-45 mins
If you are using thermal pot, transfer inner pot to thermal after 15 min's of simmering at reduced heat.

Aloe Vera and White Fungus dessert.

2015-10-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

With the complaints of the recent week's of haze and dusts treats from our beloved neighbour, little could be done to improve the air condition. Only hope is with some assistance rendered, of late, the situation would improve gradually.

Sadly, with consideration that this is likely a yearly "treat", air purifier has upgraded status from luxury to necessity.

I have also started exploring yummy recipes that might help refresh our respiratory system, especially from the abuses and exposures to all such unwelcomed foreign particles.

Ingredients needed:

1. Aloe Vera cubes
2. White Fungus (cut half or 1/3)
3. BARLEY (optional )
4. Rock honey/ rock sugar
5. Wolfberries (optional)
6. Apple & pear cubes(optional)

Wash all ingredients and set aside for use
Fill 3/4 pot of water and bring to boil
Throw in the barley and rock honey, let it simmer about 5 mins
Add in the white fungus to simmer for another 5 mins
Add in rest of ingredients to simmer another 5 min, the turn to low heat to boil just another 5-10 more minutes.

Dessert is ready to be served.

Note: Aloe Vera is known for it's healing and clensing property. Similarly white fungus a.k.a. snow fungus, is a popular inpresent, sought after for it's anti aging, anti oxidant and skin hydrating properties.

If you would prefer, and if time permits, double boil maybe an alternative to retain more nutrition and flavor.

Prevailing haze in Singapore.

2015-10-12T17:31:00.003-07:00

Of late, several of our neighbouring countries have been affected by deforestation activities at Indonesia. Many chose or are forced to stay indoors due to the fluctuating PSI index.

Though Indonesia has predicted the haze to prevail till end of November, many still pray and Hope for clean air way before!

Meanwhile, let's just do our best to take care and stay healthy! Especially the young and old!

I will explore and eventually be sharing any recipes and indoor activities that ensures quality time well spent!

Meanwhile, take care! Let's pray hard for clean air!