Pork Liver Soup, Do You Like It Too?

There is much debate about the benefits of pork liver.

High in cholesterol, high in Vitamin A which is why pregnant women should avoid it.  However, it is also a good source of iron and selenium.  

I have not been taking much of pork liver as the family dislikes it.  But I decided to buy some one Sunday and made this very simple pork liver soup for myself.  You know how the older generation folks believe that it helps with maintaining healthy red blood cell counts especially for those who are anaemic because it contains large amounts of iron.

Just $2 of liver is a lot!  Such that I could make 3 servings for myself but it's not good to keep liver for too long.  Thus, eat it on the day bought and at most the next day.

Ingredients
450ml water
1 knob of ginger, julienned
80gm liver (lesser if you do not like), sliced
Pinch of salt
Parsley

Directions
1. Boil water with ginger and salt.
2. After water is boiling, put in sliced liver and turn off the stove.  Cover the pot and let it stand for 4-5 minutes.  It should be just right, not 100% cooked but with a slight tinge of pink when you bite into it.
3. Garnish with parsley and season with some dark or light soya sauce if you wish to.
4. Some people like to include sesame oil or Chinese wine as well but I prefer mine just with a dipping sauce of dark soya sauce and cut chilli.

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Daiso 101 - How to Make Your Own Kids Friendly Bookmarks

We all know Daiso, don't we?

From food to wipes, baby toys to DIY products, bowls and cutleries to beauty products.  Stepping foot into Daiso usually means more than $2 spent.  Everything is at $2 each in Daiso.  Easy to remember and definitely easy to calculate how much spent.

I have bought many items from Daiso the past years.  Lately, I took a much longer time looking at the craft items Daiso carries in an attempt to make something with the boys.

I love the sketch books!  Both boys love doodling and sketching these days and I can never find enough paper for them to draw on.  And also, loose pieces of paper always get on my nerves when the boys do not stack them properly.

The Crayola school glue is not from Daiso, but that Made in Japan double-sided tape is.  The tape comes in various width and I chose something thin so that I can use them in gift wrapping and other craft activities.

My late grandma used to say that if a pair of scissors is used to cut cloth / fabric, it will no longer be able to cut paper as smoothly.  Thus, I bought one specially for cutting fabrics as I decided to do something with the felt materials I got from Daiso.  Look at those pretty colours!!

We have been reading chapter books lately and always seem to be using all sorts of items as bookmarks as we do not have a proper one.  I then decided to DIY a felt bookmark for the fact that it will not cut / scratch / poke like normal bookmarks with sharp edges do.  Thus, it is perfect for the little fingers and hands.

Time to get creative!

The felt materials come in different sizes and those that were pre-cut (square: 3.5" x 3.5"; rectangle: 7.1" x 3.5") are perfect.  

I further cut the squares into two and fold each rectangle into a square and seal one end of it.

There are also those with adhesive on the other side which I use them to decorate the bookmarks.

Time to practise those fine motor skills too!

Here you go!  A simple elephant bookmark,

The adhesive type of felt comes with grids for easy drawing of patterns.

Can you guess what I drew?

 This - for the Super Hero fan.

The ”十万个为什么“ book that I am getting D to read in an attempt to improve his Chinese.

And if you have little children, I think they make good finger puppets!  Cheap, imaginative and portable.

What I love about this DIY bookmark is that it will never be crumpled.  No lines, no signs of folds and they are children-friendly.  Seriously, I believe they make good Teacher's Day gifts, especially when personalised with names.


This post is part of the DAISO 101 blog train, click the button below for more great ideas and tips for shopping at Daiso!



Next on the blog is Estella.

Mama to 3 year-old Joy, Estella runs ESTELLA.SG, ESOD and is an occasional singer / host. She is passionate about living fully, breastfeeding, fashion / beauty as well as home design, care and organization. On ESTELLA.SG, Estella writes about Joy, her passions and the family’s journey towards getting their new home.

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Have You Ever Wondered?

I woke up, remembering of a dream I just had.  I went to the Halloween event with Mummy at Resort World Sentosa - must be the advertisements and Facebook feeds.

Suddenly, there were thoughts.  Have you ever wondered?

How often when the kids were sick and we wished that it was us who were sick instead?  When both D and E were down with that damn stomach flu virus last year, which caused the whole family to be sick, I wished I were the one who had an extended stomach flu instead of them catching it.  I rather be the one lying on the bed, curling up with the so painful cramps (which by the way are akin to contraction pains, just maybe 10x better but longer) than let him lie around, without much strength.

Do you still take the roller-coaster rides?
I quote age as the fear for taking roller-coaster rides these days.  Being less daring, having no more guts to take roller-coaster rides anymore though I rode on them when young.  But someone told me: maybe it is the fear of a freak accident.  Especially now that I have commitment and I have kids to look after.

And then there were some I know who were terrified of travelling without the children.  For the same reason as taking the roller-coaster rides?  

Are you one of the 3 above?  

I am "guilty" of all three.  However, as I board the plane each time these days without the boys, I simply hope and pray that all will be fine.

Amidst the juggles with life, the over-scheduling of events for children and adults for some, why not sit back and think if there are enough fond memories created to date that can last the children a lifetime?  That they can grow up, remembering the times spent no matter how long or short the period we have with them.  

You see, sometimes creating fond memories are just like doing advertisements that etch in the mind forever.  Do you remember this advertisement from Mcdonalds with a baby sitting on a swing at home and each time she goes up and sees the Mcdonalds' arch, she smile.  As silly the commercial may be, but it made the impact - it gave people the idea of happiness when one sees that golden arch.

What are the silly activities you have done with your children?  It may seem silly to us now, but it matters the whole world to the kids.  And I tell myself that I want to be there comforting the boys when they hit their first setback.  Memories are not always about the happy times, sometimes there are a little sadness.

Death is a taboo to talk about, especially in the Chinese culture.  But as much as we hated to talk about it, it will happen.  Just a matter of when.

The question will then be, when that happens, do we think we have created enough fond memories with our children so that they will remember us forever?

Time for me to create more memories.

"Death ends a life, not a relationship" - Mitch Albom

Totally random early in the morning, but that is me.  One who thinks of the extreme what-ifs  and worst case scenarios at sometimes, the most inappropriate times.  :)

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Stuffed Toys, Plush Toys, Does Your Child Has One? We Have One to Giveaway!

Someone once mentioned that the first toy you introduce to a child, he or she will have a liking for it forever.  True?  False?

Both boys have stuffed toys, also know as a plush toys, since young.  And yes, they do like stuffed toys.  But they are of course, selective.  We have nothing against stuffed toys (although I know some people go eeeeeeks for boys having stuffed toys).  In fact, we have beds full of stuffed toys!

Simply because I have read before that stuffed toys can help with the process of curing depression.  With such effects, I think they definitely have positive effects on other issues like fears, excessive crying, nightmares, trauma etc.  I believe that stuffed toys help young children cope with distress by bringing them comfort and companionship.  Do you believe in this?  Does your child has a favourite plush toy?

We were very lucky to have won a giveaway that allowed us to choose the toys we want and having watched Inside Out previously, the boys chose the Inside Out plushes.

October is approaching and it's a happy month because we have two birthdays in the house!  The boys decided to spread some Joy.  As such, we have an Inside Out plush to give-away!  Do you know who?!

To enter:

1. Like ilovedefamily on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment on the corresponding Facebook post and indicate which plush from Inside Out that we are giving away and tag 3 friends.  Sharing the post will be much appreciated!

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

Giveaway ends 16 October 2015, 8pm.

Please note:

- Winner will be chosen at random

- Item is not exchangeable for cash  It is brand new, sealed as shown.

- The giveaway is open to Singapore residents only.

- This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

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

- Item is to be self-collected.  Location of collection will be stated in the email.

- We reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions of the giveaway without prior notice.

Good Luck! 

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The Children's Centre for Creativity - Not Your Usual Indoor Playground!

Award-winning non-profit organisation Playeum, opens Asia's first Children's Centre for Creativity on 19 September 2015.

Working directly with practising artists, the Centre will present three themes a year and around each theme, build a series of creative open-ended artistic experiences, incorporating participative  opportunities, custom-built installations and technology.

From now till 3 April 2016, the Centre launches with The Art of Speed.

Children can explore the essence of speed through multi-sensory and open-ended environments which brings joy to the children, without restricting and constraining them.

The Dark Room - explore light and dark, image and shadow.  This is the space that D enjoyed the most.  He was so intrigued by the shadows and how light changes the way some shadows were formed.

I'm trapped in a cylinder!  And why am I so big?

The space at Playeum. With a maximum capacity of 150 people, both adults and children at one time, it is not an indoor playground with lots of space to run about.  But it is a space where children are allowed to be creative, a place for their imagination to flow.

Children are encouraged to build their own cars for their own track experience.

There is a flight of stairs to reach the ramp shown above which E tripped and fell at.  Thus, parents with younger children, please take note as children being children, they may miss their steps or accidentally knock down small children when they rush to pick up their own cars after sending them down the ramp.  The staff at Playeum were quick to offer ice pack for the bruise and a lollipop to calm E down.  E was up and playing again after a couple of minutes.

Feeling creative or have children who likes to DIY?  The Play Maker Space is the area to be at!  With a variety of material and tools to choose from, this space allows for meaningful experimentation where children and adults together can build objects related to the theme of speed and try them out in the other spaces.  Like, rolling the creation down the ramp!

A space for the littlest ones.  Cushioned floorings and toys suitable for the young ones who are not exactly ready to experiment the other spaces.

And so, The Children's Centre for Creativity is indeed suitable for children aged 1 to 12.

The boys had fun at the Centre.  Not your usual kind of playground, and neither is it an enrichment centre, you will be surprised at the kind of creations the children can come up with.  

Location

Block 47, Malan Road

Gillman Barracks

#01-21 to #01-23

Singapore 109444

Ticketing

Child (ages 1 to 12): $20

Accompanying adult: Free

Additional adult: $10

Disclosure: We were invited to The Children's Centre for Creativity by Playeum.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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Mickey & Friends Sent D a Postcard! Really!

I just got to post this. 

 

Sometime ago, D learnt about letter writing in one of his class at The Language Boutique.  He made use of what he had learnt and wrote a letter to his favourite pal, his favourite character in Disney - Mickey Mouse.

 

 

About 2 months later, we received a postcard from Mickey and friends!  How cool is that! 

 

I was totally surprised too as I am not quite sure if they will reply.  Though it may not be customised, imagine the smiles when D saw his name on the postcard.

 

This is indeed the Disney Magic.  No wonder everyone adores them.

 

 

Mummies and Daddies, I am really unsure if the reply postcard is always the same but just in case it is, please refrain from showing your child(ren) this so that it will be a surprise for them when they receive one after writing to them!

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ZooMoo - A Show, An App - All About Animals! Plus a Giveaway Too!

Advocates of no television programs, no iPads, we are not.

As parents, we are always in a dilemma whether to expose the children to the television, iPads and all the gadgets.  There are tonnes of reports and analysis condemning, but there are also dozens of debates against the condemn.  So what is right, or what is wrong?

There is no right or wrong.  The answer is moderation.  And as parents, we should always exercise caution.  Caution to what the children watch, caution to what the children are exposed to.

Always on the lookout for educational shows and programs, games and iPad apps, we came across ZooMoo.  ZooMoo is the world's first preschool channel that is all about animals, all the time.

Photo Credit : ZooMoo

My boys love animals.  They love the zoo, they love shows about animals and of course, they love ZooMoo!

With a cast of fun, furry characters such as the loveable Panda, the adventurous Piglet, the wildlife photographer Flash and many others, ZooMoo helps preschoolers develop a knowledge and affection for animals, leading to a lifelong love of conservation.  The ZooMoo lineup comprises 4,000+ self-contained shows, combining spectacular wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animations and narrative techniques to create a unique viewing and learning experience for little viewers.

"Lost", a brand new series on ZooMoo, follows Flash, ZooMoo's resident wildlife photographer, as he finds himself lost in different wildlife habitats while he tries to capture award-winning photos.  Back at the headquarters, his pals Owl and Piglet have to help Flash find his way through clues and quizzes about Flash's surroundings.

Apart from the "Lost" series that one can watch on StarHub channel 306, there is also the revolutionary ZooMoo app.  It's free!  Simply download from the popular App Store and Google Play.

So why is it revolutionary?  Simply because it is designed to work alongside the ZooMoo channel.  Ah-huh!  Isn't it cool?  And the best part?  After the initial app download, no internet connection is required and it is also totally free with no in-app purchases or advertising.  So, no worries about handing the tablet or smart phone to the children and letting them explore the ZooMoo app.

Unlike other TV channels, the App and the ZooMoo channel were developed completely in tandem.  This meant that when the ZooMoo app is turned on, the channel sends original and complimentary content to the child's tablet.  This content can be opened and explored at any time by us.

Photo Credit : ZooMoo

The ZooMoo app shows a ZooMoo island - an island sanctuary where children can interact and look after up to 150 animals.  At anytime, children can open the ZooMoo app and play with their collection of ZooMoo treasures.

D is always delighted when he receives a "present".  He will then go on feeding the animals with the collected food cards, listening to the animal sound effects and watching the different animals perform their abilities.  Now he knows a Dung Beetle (errmmm, yes there's such a beetle), a Crabeater Seal and many others.

Sometimes D watches the show, plays with the app and unlocks certain new animals on his own.  When he talks to me about the animals, I will be able to know what they are as in the ZooMoo app, there is a "Parents Area" whereby I am able to see how often each animal is played with (as in being fed with food etc.) and when the animal has been unlocked.  There are also some fun facts regarding each animal.  This portion of the app is something I really like as it provides a platform for parent-child discussions.

The very kind folks at The ZooMoo Asia Team sent us a gift pack filled with ZooMoo premiums and goodies for the boys.  The very adorable drawstring bags, activity sheets, stickers and tattoos which the boys enjoyed lots.

And they are also generously giving away one such set to our dear readers.  :)

Please join the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends 25 September 2015, 12 am (Singapore time).

Please note:

- Winner will be chosen at random.

 - Item is not exchangeable for cash.

- 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.

- All personal details provided will be kept confidential.

- Only particulars of the winner will be forwarded to the sponsors, for the purpose of the prize collection.

- We reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions of this giveaway without prior notice. 

Good Luck! 

Disclosure: We were sponsored with the ZooMoo Gift Pack by The ZooMoo Asia Team.  No monetary compensation was received.  Terms, digital assets and information regarding the ZooMoo Program and App are provided by them.  All opinions are true to my own.

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