Food Labels... Do You Ever Read Them?

Many years ago...

Holding a packet of food in my hand at the supermarket and scrutinising it, B asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Labels!"  I replied.  He looked at me, bewildered.

Fast forward to today, both of us look at food labels.  And here we are, trying to teach the boys, especially the older one to do it too.

Yes, I am a control freak with certain stuff, in some sense.

I love reading food labels.  Standing along the aisle of supermarkets while shopping (now you know why I adore supermarkets and can spend lots of time there), I read the food labels of food that I am intending to buy.  Sometimes I am convinced to buy them.  Sometimes I put them back.

In Singapore, we actually have a pretty transparent system on food labelling.  I have no idea about other countries but I suppose most developed countries will probably have a similar system (don't quote me for that though!).

The labelling guidelines is governed by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and so much information can be found here.

If you do not know, all pre-packed food products for sale in Singapore must be labelled according to the general labelling requirements of the Singapore Food Regulations.  Based on my few years of limited knowledge and research, here's what I know in layman terms:

Food for sale in Singapore must be labelled with basic information such as name of food, ingredients, net content and source.  I guess we all know about the source information as I know many who check on where the food item is made in or manufactured in.

Two things that I often look at but many do not know are as follows:

1. The ingredients and additives used in all food products must be listed in descending order of the proportions by weight in which they are present.

2.  If nutrition claims or permitted health claims are made for pre-packed foods, nutrition labelling is required.  Information declared in the panel must include the energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate contents of the food.  Nutrients must be declared too.

Taking the following as an example, we all can know then what are the main ingredients.

I get very concerned with food labels because I am interested to know what goes into the food that I am buying and what I am eating or feeding my family.  Many times, we realise that the first ingredient in a pre-packed food is sugar.  And we know how much harm too much sugar can cause.

Apart from looking at the ingredient list, we particularly look at the "sugars" content shown in the nutrition information.  Probably it is difficult to visualise the amount of sugars in grams but when it is converted to the number of teaspoons, it is easily understood.  Let me tell you that for the amount of sugars in grams you see stated, divide it by 4.  That's the number of teaspoons of sugar.  And yes, I can see that jaw dropped.

Now, I am not a dietician or a nutritionist.  Not any expert, really.  Just an individual who takes an interest into such.  But when I see a drink marketed as a healthy drink as follows, I get kind of upset.  Sugar as the number 1 ingredient.  Wow.  

My boys and I take sweets and chocolates too and I am not trying to present ourselves as "only eating the healthy stuff" family, but at least, again, I know what I am feeding the family.  And really, it is through being aware that we try to make little changes to our lifestyle, hopefully for the better.

Disclosure: Again, I am not a doctor, nutritionist, dietician or any professional related to  this field.  What is stated are my personal opinions.  I agree to disagree.  :)

I'm on Facebook!  Please like me on Facebook if you have enjoyed this post as it's where I connect constantly with my readers.  I'm on Instagram and Twitter too!

Spicy Bean Sprouts Salad Recipe

We love this particular bean sprouts salad or appetiser from a particular Ramen restaurant / shop in Singapore.  We help ourselves to heaps of it when we dine there.  It is free.  But we do not eat that till we are full.  Our main course is still the ramen, right?

Fast forward, B has been asking me to find the recipe for it.  He says we can made lots of it and keep them refrigerated.  A good snack whenever we feel like eating it.  But seriously, I doubt we can keep it for too long since there is no preservatives!

I scoured the internet for it, not knowing what to call it except to Google bean sprouts, ramen, recipe.  And lo and behold, I actually found one!

I did some variation to the recipe that I found.  This is slightly spicier but E loves it.  He eats and drinks water after each mouth.  And he has been bugging me to make it every other day.

The good thing is, bean sprouts are cheap.  I hate to pluck the bean sprouts roots though, so I pay slightly more for those that are rootless.

Spicy Bean Sprouts Salad

(Adapted from Just One Cookbook)

Ingredients:

300g bean sprouts

2 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp Nanami Togarashi (easily found in the Japanese section of supermarkets)

Salt and pepper to taste

Sesame seeds

Method:

1.  Cook the bean sprouts in boiling water for about 2 minutes. 

2.  Mix the seasonings (sesame oil, soy sauce, Shichimi Togarashi, salt and pepper) in a large bowl.

3.  Drain the bean sprouts and mix them with the seasonings.

4.  Sprinkle sesame seeds.

We love the smell and taste of sesame seeds and thus, we put lots of it usually.  There you go!  It is actually quite a forgiving recipe, so if you like it spicier or less saltish, always tune it to your liking.  :)

I'm on Facebook!  Please like me on Facebook if you have enjoyed this post as it's where I connect constantly with my readers.  I'm on Instagram and Twitter too!

{Review & Giveaway} Simply Life Collections

Sometime back, we were invited to the launch of Simply Life but we were unable to make it.  Despite not attending the launch, the folks at Simply Life sent us some lovely items from their collections.

Simply Life, a new homegrown brand, believes in designing safe and quality products for babies and children.  From baby's wear to homeware, beddings to children's accessories.  

One will also find that in some of their products, there are encouraging visuals and positive words, uplifting one's mood simply by looking at them.  "Dare to Soar", "Blessed", "Dare to Dream" being some of them.  A gift for a child, a student?  These will be perfect.

My first reaction upon receiving them.  So soft!!!  Not the bottle lah.  I meant the towel, pillow case and bolster case covers, underpants (briefs) and socks.

And this was because of the high composition of superior bamboo fibres.  The composition of bamboo in most of Simply Life's range of clothing, bath and bedding products is 95%, thus making it ultra soft and comfortable.  More hypoallergenic, antibacterial and anti-fungal, the all-natural bamboo material is also highly absorbent and moisture-wicking.  Something new to me is the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.  It is always good to know that the fabrics used is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means that the textile used is free from harmful substances.

Very much loving this towel.  It is soft after the initial wash and still soft after a few washes.  Who doesn't like soft and fluffy towels, right?  :)  I think this will make a great gift for newborns / babies because their skin is so smooth and soft that we do not want to "hurt" them while drying them after a bath.

The pillow and bolster set, is split between the boys.  Someone took the pillow, while the other took the bolster.  Can you guess who got what?  :P

D loves the bolster and in fact, it is somewhat a right size for him.  Because it is made of 95% bamboo, it is soft to the touch.  The elastic ends also means no dangling of strings and such that could well be a hazard for children.

I hardly buy big bottles for the children as they are more difficult to handle for the small hands.  However, this 450ml BPA-free bottle size is just nice.  The extra piece that helps with regulating the water while drinking is good yet bad.  Good because the water will not be "poured" out at one go and wet the children.  Bad -  it makes refilling of water troublesome.  Upon checking out other brands of water bottles, I noted that this part is available to most of them.

And D does not have any trouble screwing / unscrewing it on his own which is a plus for me.

Socks!  Many socks out there for older children no longer have anti-slip studs.  But the ones at Simply Life for older children and in white or black do.  You might not think that older children need them.  But I think they do need especially when they are in the indoor playgrounds, or indoor areas where socks are needed.  Unlike toddlers, parents sometimes let them be on their own and that is when they tend to run and chase their friends.  Safety, will never be the first thing on their minds.  And that's when the anti-slip studs come in, especially on slippery floors.

Photo credit : Simply Life

Now, since it is the end of the school term (oh well, I know it is not applicable to babies and toddlers), I have a special giveaway!

Sponsored by Simply Life, someone will be winning this water bottle, together with a bamboo towel.

Photo credit : Simply Life

To enter:

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

2. Be a Simply Life page fan.

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

4. Leave me a comment telling me which item you love the most from Simply Life's collection.

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

Giveaway ends 4 December 2015, 8pm.

Please note:

- Winner will be chosen at random

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

- 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.  

Good Luck! 

Disclosure:  Items shown were sponsored by Simply Life for the purpose of this review.  No monetary compensation was received.  Unless otherwise stated, all photographs and opinions are true to my own.

 
I'm on Facebook!  Please like me on Facebook if you have enjoyed this post as it's where I connect constantly with my readers.  I'm on Instagram and Twitter too! 

Happy Father's Day! Cupcakes with Love from the Boys~~

Happy Father's Day!!!! 

D insisted I help him with the making of cupcakes for his Daddy.  I have a cupcakes recipe book, with many cupcakes recipes and pictures.  When D flipped through that book, he dismissed many cupcakes, even his favourite.  He knew just which one to make when he spotted it - Chocolate Banana Cupcake.  Because his Daddy loves banana.  And he reminded me to buy the ingredients.

Do you know why the banana slices are turning slightly brown?  When it's done by the kids at home, it takes time...

Sometimes one may wonder if a child remembers or even bother to remember.  D's gesture reminds me that although the children may be up to mischief at times, disobedient at times but deep down inside him, he bothers, he knows.

Taking turns sifting the flour.

First time trying to crack an egg.

Finally using the apron I bought almost a year ago.

All eyes on putting the bananas properly.

All smiles!  Happy with what they have done!  Daddy had to eat both cupcakes in one go. 

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
(makes 12 cupcakes)
(adapted from Cupcakes with attitude by Benjamin Wong)

Ingredients:
125g self raising flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
125g unsalted butter
125g brown sugar - I used 100g
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional) - I omitted
1 tsp vanilla essence - I used vanilla extract
100 - 150g bananas, roughly mashed

Sea salt caramel frosting (see below)
Banana slices

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius.  Line cupcake tray with liners.
2.  Sift flour with coca powder.
3.  Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer at low speed until well blended.  Gradually add eggs and mix well.
4.  Add flour mixture and cinnamon if using.  Beat till well incorporated.
5.  Mix in vanilla extract and gently fold in bananas using a spatula.
6.  Spoon batter into the cupcake liners until 3/4 full.  
7.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove and rest cupcakes in tray for further 5 minutes before removing and placing on wire rack to cool completely.
8.  Spread a thick layer of sea salt caramel frosting on top and garnish with a slice of banana.

Sea Salt Frosting

Buttercream:
200g unsalted butter or vegetable shortening - I used unsalted butter (removed from fridge and cut into cubes 15 minutes before use)
200g icing sugar
2 - 3 tbsp water

Caramel:
50g unsalted butter
80g sugar
1 tbsp golden syrup - I used maple syrup
30g heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
Prepare the buttercream as follows:
1.  Beat butter in electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.  
2.  Add icing sugar and continue beating until well incorporated.
3.  Gradually add water, 1 tbsp at a time to achieve desired consistency.

Prepare the caramel as follows:
1.  Heat butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and heavy cream in a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.  Stir occasionally.
2.  Once boiling, turn heat up and let it boil for another 2-3 minutes.
3.  Remove from heat and allow the caramel to cool down.  It should still be of a pouring consistency.
4.  With the buttercream in the mixer, slowly pour the caramel into the buttercream.  
5.  Beat at high speed until well blended.  Add salt and mix well.
6.  Use immediately or store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Ants… We Hate Them So...

ANTS!  I hate them and so does the whole family.  Whenever I spot ants, I will start my investigation work.  Some people choose to kill whatever ants they see but this does not solve the problem.  Ants do not work singly.  Most often, they work together and live in colonies.  Usually, I will have my eyes fixed on the ants and follow them, hopefully to find where their hide-out is.  It can be tiring, especially if it's a few random ants.  But if it is a stream of ants… I know I will find where their nest is.

Over the years, we tried many ways trying to get rid of ants.  There is no way to be totally ant-free forever for there are too many factors, internally and externally.  We tried the many ant baits and ant repellents available commercially.  From the "put 3 in a row" ant bait to the chalk thingy, none was really effective.  Till we found this:

Terro Ant Killer

We bought this from Amazon.com as we have not found any local shops selling this.  They come in either the liquid form (which is the above) or the pre-filled packs.  We have tried both and are happy to say that both are effective.

To be able to effectively eliminate the ants, find where the stream of ants are coming from or where you guess the nest could be.  Place the ant bait where they are commonly seen or near the nest.  

This Ant Killer works like a bait product.  Thus the ants will come in large numbers.  Do not interfere when the ants come as they will consume the product, carry the liquid ant killer back to the nest and deliver it to the rest of the colony.

We did not see the ants the next day and no ants were seen coming out from the crack which we believe is where the nest is.

Now, if you have kids running around, make sure the ant killer liquid or pre-filled pack is at a corner where they will not touch.  If there are babies around, please make sure you keep an eye on him / her.  Alternatively, have these baits on the floor when the babies are not crawling or leave them out at night.  

There are not much choices when it comes to getting rid of ants.  Insecticides do not help much and I prefer to exterminate the whole colony if possible.

Disclosure:  This is NOT a sponsored post.  However the post contains affiliate links to Amazon but they are of no added cost to you.  :)

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and sharings!