Thursday, 25 August 2016

{Review} Little Star by I Theatre - Something for the Little Ones

Have you actually went for a play that is suitable for children as young as 2 years old?

Having attended many of I Theatre's plays, Little Star is slightly different.  I find it very suitable for young toddlers and preschoolers.  


We all know younger children tend to be more verbal and vocal, slightly unable to keep very quiet throughout a play.  It is fine during Little Star.  Nobody will hush them.  If it is not cries and screams that will disrupt everyone's enjoyment, simple mumbles or repetitions of words slightly by children are okay.  Because we, parents, all know and understand.

Little Star is a play that is highly visual.  Without complicated storylines or hard to understand phrases, the use of repetitive words engage the young audience.  Words that are easy to pronounce, understand and remember.
 
Exploring the universal themes of Family, Friendship, we follow Little Star on her journey, into space and the sea.  Using puppetry and black light, it is also an interactive production and all if not most of the children were seen very excited.
 
Let this be the first play for your young children.  To cultivate a love for theatre and to prepare them for more plays to come.
 

From now till 11 September 2016, you can catch Little Star at Alliance Francaise Theatre.  Tickets are available at Sistic!  And remember the photo opportunity after the play!

Disclosure: We were invited to Little Star by I Theatre.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photos and opinions are true to my own.
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Friday, 12 August 2016

YOLO Run



YOLO - You Only Live Once.

YOLO Run is back this year.  Bigger and faster after the success of its official launch last year.  Starting at Gardens by the Bay (East) on 22 October 2016, 8am to 12pm, there will be 2 race categories - 5km and 10km.

If there is anything about this run I look forward to, it will have to be running shirtless for a good cause.  Seriously, I am unsure if I am able to do it although I am thinking of it because this year, X-Change Republic Pte Ltd has partnered with Breast Reconstruction Awareness Singapore (BRAS), a non-profit organisation, to create a better and wider understanding of reconstruction choices and resources.  For every participant who runs shirtless on the race day, a sports bra will be donated to BRAS, an essential in the recovery process of patients.

Who is keen to do that with me?!

If you are, use the promotion code YOLOXCYNTHIA and get a 10% off the race fees.

Your race entitlements, depending on men's or ladies' when you sign up.  


Come on, join me on a Saturday morning for a run along one of Singapore's prettiest are, Gardens by the Bay.

Disclosure:  I received 2 complimentary tickets to the run.  Terms and product information about the product were provided by X-Change Republic.

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Thursday, 4 August 2016

One-Bowl, No-Mixer Banana Muffins

It has been awhile since I last baked, well apart from baked pasta and roasted chicken and the likes.

A bunch of bananas lying in the kitchen prompted a frantic search for something easy to deal with it.  I was determined not to let it turn black and feed the dustbin.

The boys have been asking for their cupcakes, muffins for a while but I have still been pretty much suffering from the hangover from the school holidays and my vacation (oh I know, it's been so long right?).
 
 
Determined, I did a one-bowl, no-mixer banana muffins.  Done in 30 minutes, of course excluding the baking times.  And it was so easy that the boys chipped in to help.

 
They mashed the bananas (some motor skills there, yea), whisked the wet ingredients.  Very nicely, they helped wipe dry the muffin pan and lined it with their favourite cupcake liners, before scooping the mixture into them. 

I love baking with them, if the mess is not too much to handle.  Especially with sugar (headache).  Now that D is in primary school and reading much more, he reads the recipe to me sometimes.  Of course, I get squabbles too as they argue who should be doing what.  Haha 


This photo of the banana muffin is not the best because it was taken in the morning when we ate them.  At 6am, orange lights, that's probably the best I can do with an iPhone.  :D
 
But boy was it nice!  It tastes somewhat like the fried banana balls that I always like buying from Malay stores or Subway Niche.  Oh it's call Kueh Kodok. But this isn't fried and it is definitely healthier with coconut oil.  
 
Out of the 10 I made, the 2 young boys had 6 of them.  :)

One-Bowl No-Mixer Banana Muffins
Makes 8 to 10 muffins
Adapted from Foodie Baker
 
Ingredients
 
3 tbsp buttermilk or 3 tbsp milk with 1 tsp lemon juice
3 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp raw sugar (I used raw sugar because I did not have brown sugar)
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
225g over-ripe bananas, mashed
120g plain flour
½ tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
 
Method
 
1.  Preheat oven to 175 degree Celsius.  Line muffin / cupcake mould with liners.
 
2.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk whisk buttermilk (milk with lemon juice), coconut oil, sugar, egg and vanilla extract together until well-mixed.  Whisk in the mashed bananas.
 
3.  Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into the wet ingredients.  Fold with a spatula until well-mixed.  Fill the liners with the batter until ¾ full.  
 
4.  Bake for 17 to 20 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre of the muffin comes out clean and the top of muffin springs back when lightly touched.
 
5.  Remove the muffin tin and set on a wire rack to cool completely.
 
We baked it in the evening and had them stored air-tight overnight.  Let me know if you bake it and if it taste just as good warm after it's baked.  :)
 
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Wednesday, 3 August 2016

{Giveaway} Little Star by I Theatre


We have all heard of the famous nursery rhyme, Little Star.  Haven't we?

This year, I Theatre will be presenting it's second brand new production, Little Star from 17 August 2016 to 11 September 2016 and it is recommended for children 2 to 6 years old.

A highly visual and interactive production, just like all the past productions, Little Star will be about a journey of discovery as she sees the other stars, the Moon, the Earth and the planets.

Would you like to follow Little Star through space, down to Earth, and even under the sea? 

Tickets to the production is available now at Sistic so get yours today.

With the generous sponsorship by I Theatre, we have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway!  Just for 3 pairs of you to catch the play on 27 August 2016, 2.30pm.





To enter:

1. Be a B.C.D.E. That's US Facebook page fan.

2. Be a I Theatre Facebook page fan.

3. Like and share the corresponding Facebook post and tag 3 friends.

4. Bonus!!!  Follow me on Instagram and regram the corresponding image for an extra chance!  :)

Giveaway ends 12 August 2016, 8pm.

Please note:

- Winner will be chosen at random

- Tickets are not exchangeable for cash or for other showtimes, unless otherwise notified by the sponsor.

- As the play takes place in Singapore, the giveaway is open to Singapore residents only.

- Winner will be announced on blog, Facebook and notified by email.  Please respond within 48 hours, failing which, a new winner will be chosen.  

- Tickets are to be self-collected.  Location of collection will be stated in the email.


Good Luck! 

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