{Media Invite} A Paw-Some Time this September Holidays at City Square Mall

Do you have any idea who these guys are?  Well, I did not.  Until probably a year or 2 ago, when the boys started talking to me about Chase and "no job is too big, no pup is too small!".

And so, it began our journey of learning a new cartoon called Paw Patrol.

Fairly new to many, their first 'Live' Show in Asia at City Square Mall is a hit!  I see so many friends bringing their children to catch it.  If you had not watched it, it is still ongoing till 11 September 16.

Sometimes I wonder if D will outgrow watching such live shows.  Even if he does, I should not deprive E of it since we had been to live shows with D when he was 5 years old.  Just so glad that D enjoyed it too.

Come get a photo with Marshall, Chase and Ryder with a minimum spend of S$50 (terms and conditions apply).  Meet and Greet passes redemption is at the Level 2 Customer Service Counter, one hour prior to each live show.  Limited to 50 passes per session, it is something not to be missed, especially if you are already there for the show.

It seems like Paw Patrol is the favourite cartoon show for children these days.  The crowd at City Square Mall is simply unbelievable.  

I  reached at about 11.45am for the 1pm show and yes, I was already sitting around the imaginary third row.  At 1pm, every little gap was filled up and I see people standing on the second level.  It is how interesting to note what children can do to watch their favourite cartoon characters.  Of course, tablets help.  Thus, if you want a good view, be early!  Very very early.  Don't say I never tell you.  :D

And once the show starts at 1pm, I hear the screams and shouts when Marshall and Chase appear.  And many children gamely stood up and danced when asked to.  D and E did not and sometimes I wonder if it is because they are shy.  

There is a furry fun carnival at the outdoor park.  Till 9 October, bring your cameras for photos with life-size Paw Patrol's vehicles.  There are other activities like the inflatable Dog Pirate Ship and other fun-filled activities.  We did not get a chance to have fun at the carnival as B was not feeling too well.  But I am glad that at least, we manage to catch the live show and had photos taken with the Paw-Some pals!  

Time to make a date with the outdoor park before 9 October.

Paw Patrol Ready for Action 'Live' show
Date: 3 to 11 September
Time: 2pm & 7pm (Tue - Fri); 1pm, 4pm & 7pm (Sat & Sun)
Venue: Level 1 Atrium


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Trip to Zenxin Organic Farm with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

It is September?!  And it is the school holidays again?!  Oh my, where did all those time go.

Last school holidays, we went for a road trip to Melaka with friends.  Some 240km drive using the North South Highway, we decided we shall break the journey into 2, by stopping at Zenxin Organic Park.

Starting our journey at around 8.00am, the boys self-entertained by drawing on large Sketch Books from Daiso.

Once we exited from the Air Hitam exit, this is what we saw.  Turning right and driving for a few minutes, we reached Zenxin.

We were there to join the Farm Tour!

Not before we have a family shot!

Entrance tickets seem reasonable for the range of activities.  Additional activities such as archery are charged separately.

The tour starts with an educational video, followed by walks through the park.  A very hot day, little shade so we were all sweating at the end of the tour.  I cannot imagine joining the 2.30pm tour.

That is dragon fruit!

Some of the plants, fruits and herbs we saw.

One of the highlight was this.  Harvesting their own vegetables.  The boys pulled out vegetables and we are allowed to fill up one bag each.  If we were heading straight home, I will fill it up and bring home to cook.  It's organic!

Feeding the pets at the Happy Farm.  Surprisingly, E was pretty enthusiastic and willingly fed and pet them.  

Part of the tour includes milk bottle fish feeding.  Initially, when I read the title on the brochure, I was wondering how it is.  So this is it.  Holding the bottle that has a large hole in the teat, fish feed is slowly being poured / sucked out.  

One of the activity includes a hand-on workshop.  The boys had a try at making curry puffs.  The curry puff dough and ingredients were pre-done and all we had to do is wrap them up and cooking them in the oil.

Now they know it is not easy.  Even folding the curry puffs require some skill and lots of practice.

We had lunch at the Chef Garden Restaurant since it was near lunch time.  They serve set lunch and what interests us was the hotpot.  

It was alot of food although we ordered for 2 pax.  Organic greens are good, yea?

My only issue is the number of houseflies.  Although they provide some repellent, there were still many houseflies!  The boys could not "tahan" aka tolerate it.  I guess we are all used to air-conditioned food courts and our hawkers and coffeeshops are not "swarmed" with flies around.

My friends at some tables (nearer to the inside of the open space, al-fresco concept dining area) had fewer flies visiting them and their food.  So, if you have children or even yourself who cannot eat at ease with such flies, then I suggest either sitting nearer to the cashier area or skip having lunch there.

We ended with a round of archery.  For RM10 for I think 10 arrows, not something we can get here in Singapore.

Zenxin Organic Park

Jalan Batu Pahat, Kampung Melayu Batu Lima

86000 Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

The photos for my Melaka trip are mostly shot using the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II.  I do not exactly need to say the specifications of this camera as Google will tell you everything - the reviews from professional photographers.

As it is a compact with interchangeable lens, I used mostly a prime lens (M. Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8) this time and I really love my photos.  Especially of close ups.  Colours are vibrant too.  My only rant is that it is a tad heavy with the lens.

Another note is that, with prime lens, I got to make sure that my focus is correct.  Sometimes, when I asked someone to take a photo for me, the focus is on the wrong person, wrong place.  This I believe needs some understanding and of course, checking of the photos after each shot, if unused to it.

Disclosure: We had the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II on loan to us for 2 weeks for the purpose of this trip.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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{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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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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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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{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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Masterclass with Anna Olson and an Inspired Recipe!

I love watching cooking shows.  I love watching celebrity chefs.  :)

And to my delight, I met Chef Anna Olson in person!  Double :)

Anna Olson is a professionally trained pastry chef with over fifteen years of experience in the culinary field.  She shares her talents with the world through award winning cookbooks, television shows and other culinary businesses.

Some of my friends always think I cook well.  Some cannot imagine how I am able to cook after work.  I guess, it is just the passion of cooking for people I love and feeling so so so happy when they enjoy the food I cooked.  But, there are also days when I do not know what to cook, days when the food seems so boring and mediocre.  There are days I need inspirations.

When I first saw the menu, I knew I had to attend this hands-on Masterclass with Anna.  This is the prelude to what will be premiering exclusively on Asian Food Channel starting Friday, 29 July 2016 at 9.00pm.  "Inspired with Anna Olson" - Anna's brand new show, will bring us on a journey from street food stalls to high-end restaurants, learning about Asia's best-loved signature dishes.  It will also show her adapting the techniques, ingredients and flavours gathered from her travels to create new inspiring dishes that will leave us drooling for more.

Sarah Benjamin, the host for the day, is also one of the two winners of the first season of Food Hero and hosts her own Asian Food Channel web series called Simply Special.

Warm and personable, Anna's shares her tips to some cooking techniques.  And although she is a trained pastry chef, she does not stop at just doing bakings.  How inspiring it is when I saw that she uses our Chinese kind of steamers to cook one of the dishes - Singapore-Filipino-inspired Steamed Carrot Cake with Sweet Potato Ice Cream.

This Singapore-Filipino-inspired Steamed Carrot Cake is just one of the items taught in the Masterclass.  An East-meets-West combination, this carrot cake is Anna's take of Singapore's daikon radish side dish steamed to become a dessert, with a little savoury spice.

When the Chinese steamer meets a ramekin.

Eat it plain on its own, like what we Asians usually do for a carrot cake, or pair it with ice-cream, and see it being transformed to a different kind of dish.

Loving the Masterclass as I learn, have fun and meet fellow bloggers (partnering with Vera from Life is in the Small Things).

Photo credit : Asian Food Channel

If you love beef pho, then you will love this too.  I absolutely adore it.  For those who do not like it raw, you can always sear it first.

And, it is just that dish to make when one is feeling not so good, because, you get to flatten that beef with the meat mallet.  Go on, vent your frustrations.  Just kidding!  Note that no one was hurt while we were at it (as shown in the above picture).

This beautiful Vietnamese-inspired Beef Carpaccio with Pho Flavours is a starter dish that Anna took inspiration from the Beef Pho.  Using homemade Hoisin Sauce (yes, no longer do I need to buy bottled ones!!), this easy to prepare dish is packed full of flavours.  Please see recipe at end of post!  

Cooking at a Masterclass in CulinaryOn means all ingredients are prepared and there is no need to wash the plates and bowls.  Lovely.  Haha.

Risotto has always been something that I cannot perfectly master and with tips in my head, I shall continue trying to cook that one nice risotto dish for the family.

Do you know Anna's Malaysian-inspired Shrimp and Coconut Risotto with Pickled Jalapeno is taken from which Malaysian dish?  

It is from the Nasi Lemak!  Did you get it right?  How creative, isn't it?  It indeed motivated me as I try to create some new dishes for the family so that they will be spared of that usual fare cooked by me.

This risotto has a rich and intense flavour, bringing out the aromatic coconut milk used and the sweetness of the big prawns.

Lovely three course menu that I learnt to prepare.  All very different and each full of flavours.

Like I mention earlier, here is the recipe for the Beef Carpaccio with Pho Flavours, courtesy of Anna Olson and Asian Food Channel.

Vietnamese-inspired Beef Carpaccio with Pho Flavours
Recipe courtesy of Anna Olson

Yield: 8 appetizer servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

350g beef tenderloin
30g thinly sliced red onion rings (about 3 slices)
125g bean sprouts
20g total chopped fresh coriander, Thai basil & mint
35g chopped roasted peanuts
Sriracha, to taste
1 lime, cut into wedges, for garnish

For Hoisin:

60ml soy sauce (low sodium)
30g smooth peanut butter
30ml honey
1 clove garlic, minced
5ml sesame oil
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
3 whole cloves
3 black peppercorns

METHOD:

1. For the hoisin, place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then strain out the spices and cool to room temperature before chilling until ready to serve.  The sauce will not be as thick as commercial hoisin.

2. For the beef, slice the raw tenderloin across the grain into 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) slices.  Place a slice into a re-sealable bag and using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound it as thin as possible without tearing the meat.  Repeat with the remaining slices and arrange them on a large platter or individual small plates.  Cover the platter or plates with plastic and chill until ready to serve.  This should be done the same day you wish to serve the dish.

3. Have all of the remaining ingredients on hand, to assemble right before serving.  Sprinkle the onion slices overtop the beef and sprinkle the bean sprouts over in an even layer.  Top this with the chopped fresh herbs and the chopped peanuts.  Drizzle the hoisin over this and add sriracha to taste.  Arrange the lime wedges of the platter or plate and serve immediately.

If you love Chef Anna Olson or would like to be inspired to try new recipes and / or new creations like I do, remember to tune-in to Inspired with Anna Olson, premiering Friday, 29 July at 9pm on Asian Food Channel (Starhub Ch 435).

Disclosure:  I was invited to the Masterclass with Anna Olson.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs, unless otherwise stated, and opinions are true to my own.

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