Sunday, 9 October 2011


Leading by example

If you want to improve your children's health, check you own health first. Look at your habits and how they are educating your kids. Make sure you eat all your vegetables and tell your kids about how great you feel and how good it tastes. This information will slowly have an effect over the years.

Eat as a family as often as possible

A recent US study found that children and teens who share meals with their families at least three times a week were less likely to be overweight, eat unhealthy foods or be at risk of eating disorders.

Work with your child about food

Give them healthy foods to choose from. By giving them a choice, you show understanding, compassion and respect for their likes. They will be much more inclined to try new things if they know they are not being forced.

Positively reinforce healthy eating habits

Kids love to be encouraged, supported and told how well they are doing. Telling them they're "not leaving the table until you eat your veggies" or offering a sweet reward for eating healthy food, are bad habits to get into.


There are many tips out there that helps us to raise healthy and active kids. They're all helpful but I suppose one has to be very consistent which is not part of our routine. I admit that we play it by ear or we rely on our instincts. Although, I am sure most parents are after of their kids well being and how are they going to turn up ias adults (maybe one of those raleigh nc lawyers?)? Regardless, parenting is always unique just like each one of us.
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.. for me, that is. This is from body and soul website. This is what I truly need. I don't get enough exercise although I consider my doing the house chores enough exercise but apparently not. There are so many things that I have put-off including some Dental Jobs on my peggies that I am hoping to find time while overseas.


Start your day with a good stretch

Our muscles and the tissues that surround them need to breathe daily, so commit to starting your morning with a simple stretch. Just 10 minutes each morning will help you release tension and start the day feeling invigorated.

"Try some hamstring, lower-back and shoulder stretches that can be done on the bus, in front of the TV, after a workout or at the office," Kelly says. "If you can't motivate yourself, find a local yoga class."


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Sunday, 25 September 2011

are you?

Here are some tips from Christie Nicholas:

HIRE a house cleaner if they can afford it.

ASK for help if they need it.

DO something that makes them feel sexy.

EXERCISE regularly.

ACKNOWLEDGE their emotions.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/health-and-happiness-is-in-your-hands-author-tell-smums/story-e6frfkvr-1226144532383#ixzz1Yxnb76bb


I'd say healthy mummy has less pressure and more achievable. On the other hand, I believe that it really depends on the person. One doesn't have to a Mum to be a slouch or it's not only women without kids that should look babe (yeah, that's what Mcj calls me). Being a mum makes one really full-on busy including getting away from electronic pickpocketing in crowded places. But supermums can do them. Really, they dont need exercise as the every day tasks are enough to keep them fit.
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The first -ber month is almost over. Christmas is just a few weeks ahead. My most favourite season in a year. And although, we are not going back to my hometown in the last -ber month, we are still making the trip in the -ber months. Something to feel good and excited. I'm actually in the mood now. I'm tuning in to SG's christmas album.



Come hurricane, high water and malfunctioning symbol barcode scanner, I'll make sure that I grab a copy of her CD when we're home.

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Sunday, 11 September 2011

The Tatapilla was invited to a birthday party of his friend from school - a girl friend. The party was at the same place where the Tatapilla had his fourth. The place was quiet compared to his party - today being a Sunday. The Big Guy is not big on playground party unless he has some friends that share his interest. He doesn't like playing in daring areas - he is very cautious. I thought he was not having fun unlike when one sends first birthday invitations, all the hype is there. But eventually, he found his niche - he is easy to amuse anyway.
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Sunday, 28 August 2011

I always buy steak but I am not really sure how to cook them so I always braised them. Though one would think that's ruining a perfectly good steak by boiling. Oh there are many recipes available online. One just have to find to her liking. But this tip is really helpful. I'll definitely do this as I have already fried the steak and will freeze them. Will put in the oven when it's time to eat them. This is a compromise for one has to cook enmasse on the weekend to cater for the weekdays. We enjoy some nice steak cook just before eating them at times (just like tumbling composter).

Cooking the Perfect Steak
For best results, remove the steak from the refrigerator about an hour before cooking. This will allow the steak to get to room temperature. This is really important if you are going to cook the steak blue, rare or medium rare.

I’d recommend using a grill plate with bars, or a char grill on a BBQ heat as they will give you the best results. Turn the heat to high, as it enables the natural juices to be sealed inside the steak.

Season the steak with sea salt, black pepper and macadamia nut oil, then place on the hot grill. Leave for 3 minutes and then turn 90 degrees, this will give you the char grill marks or criss-cross effect. Cook for a further 3 minutes then turn the steak over and repeat on the other side. At that point remove the steak and finish in the oven.

If you are able to finish the steak in an oven, do so, otherwise finish on the grill to the desired doneness. Rare to medium rare will just be a few minutes longer on the grill, where as medium and medium well will see a small pool of juice come up out the top of the steak after a few minutes.

The key to the perfect steak, is allow the steak to rest after cooking. Simply remove the steak from the grill or oven, place on a plate in a warm place for a ¼ of the cooking time. The reason you need to rest the steak is because the meat is all tensed up from the heat of the cooking and you need to allow the meat to relax.

Credits
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Sunday, 7 August 2011

Some really helpful tips in instilling manners to our kids from bodyandsoul.com.au.

Five manners all kids should learn

Saying "please" and "thank you": Eighty five per cent of people surveyed in a US poll a few years ago said they felt the world would be a better place if we just said "please" and "thank you" more often. And they may just be words, but throwing in a "please" or "thank you" can soften a command, or make a response sound friendly and respectful.
Eating like civilised humans: The subject of table manners could fill pages. But learning some basic politeness like not talking with a mouthful, not reaching in front of others and not burping, passing wind or talking about disgusting topics in public can take kids a long way.
Respecting others' voice space: If someone is talking – whether an adult or one of their friends – kids should learn it's impolite to interrupt. While teaching them to say "excuse me" is good, kids also need to know that saying it over the top of other is not polite.
Don't use rude or disrespectful language: Kids, like all of us, need to learn how speak politely to others and not use rude or inappropriate language and put-downs. This is not about swearing – some non-swear words can hurt a lot more – but continuing the theme of treating others courteously and with respect.
Respect differences: We live in a diverse society now with lots of different cultures, nationalities and traditions. Teach kids to embrace and accept diversity in others.


As parents, we are the first teacher and however the kids interact outside our house have at great time, something to do with how we have brought them up. And hope for the best that what we have instilled in them will live long and carry on (much like bearings).
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Monday, 25 July 2011

I felt the onset Friday morning. My right nostril was clogged with a mild headache. I took paracetamol - the symptoms were manageable. I was alright - just a bit tired. We dropped by the chemist on the way to the supermarket to pick-up cold and flu medicine. I bought the generic one as I was told they are the same as that of the branded. It doesn't matter. But it's the third day now, and I don't feel any better. Last night, Mcj told me that the medication I bought is milder compared to that of the branded stuff. So today, I am taking the branded ones. Hopefully, I'll get better to go to work tomorrow.

But I wonder, what do I really feel. Cold or flu. I have been using them interchangeably without really knowing what is what. Thanks to about.com, I'm about to find out.


What is the difference between the cold and flu?

The common cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. So how can you differentiate between the two?

The main difference between the common cold and the flu (influenza) is the severity of the symptoms.

Flu symptoms generally:
Come on quickly and severely.
Include fever, which tend to be higher and last longer (3 to 4 days) than the occasional low-grade fever that may accompany a cold.
Include body aches and severe tiredness or fatigue.

Common cold symptoms:

Gradually get worse over a few days.
Are more likely to include runny or stuffy nose than the flu.
Often include a sore throat, while flu rarely does.
May cause tiredness, but it is much less severe than the exhaustion that comes with the flu.
Do not usually result in serious health problems and hospitalizations.


Now, I know that I have common cold as although I don't wish anyone to have what I got (that's why no trip to the commercial playground equipment), it's not that severe. I reckon, plenty of rest and food with medication will do me good.
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Sunday, 17 July 2011


cup cakes, that is.

We've been buying the woolworths mud cupcakes but for the big day of The Tatapilla, he requested these iced cupcakes - along with the mud cupcakes and pirate cake. It was a hit. A co-worker commented that it isn't bad. You know, woolies stuff, I reckon sometimes are too commecialised but I am happy that we didn't ordered the cake and cupcakes from these so called independent overpriced bakery - as you know, in birthday parties.. kids are already too full to gobble up nice cakes.

Now onto presents received from friends who went to the party (no best doormats this time) but lots of really nice toys.
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Change is as good as a holiday. Yes, that's what we need in our meals at home. I've been cooking these days and sometimes, I ran out of ideas of what to cook. Mcj's favourite is (along the lines of htc smart phone as well) mexican - more on enchiladas and tacos.

All the ingredients are in the pantry now but we don't have the time to have some. But for inspiration, here's a recipe from taste.com.au.

Ingredients (serves 8)

2 long green chillies, deseeded, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon chilli powder
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
600g pork fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 corn tortillas
1/2 small iceberg lettuce, thinly shredded
2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 small avocadoes, thinly sliced
toppings, to serve (see note)

Add above ingredients to your shopping list
Method

Place chopped chillies, garlic, oregano, chilli powder and vinegar in a food processor. Process until almost smooth. Pour into a large, ceramic dish.

Add pork. Turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add pork. Cook, turning, for 5 minutes or until browned. Place pork on a greased baking tray. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until just cooked through. Stand for 10 minutes. Thinly slice.

Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in foil. Place on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Place tortillas on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm. Serve tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, pork and toppings.


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Blurb

Life in a home with gluten-free diet, preventing Diabetes 2 and trying to be lactose-free. And a little bit fussy child. It sounds difficult and complicated but not really. It's been roughly ten years on - we have a lot of practice.

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