Fantastic Place to Buy Your Favorite Books

Recently we watched the movie "I am Number Four". My kids and me loved it. My 11 year old daughter found out that it was based on a book. Well, she has learned from reading The Hunger Games Trilogy and Twilight Saga that the book is always better than the movie.

Well, so happened as I was browsing around the internet, I came across this website called Kobo. It has over 2.5 Million eBooks including classics and bestsellers. PLUS over 1 Million FREE eBooks

--> Click here to see if your favorite book is there

My girl was really excited to find this ebook-site because The Rise of Nine, which is the latest sequel to "I am Number Four" is available there. The book was just launched and she can't find it in the bookstores here. She really, really wants to read it.

The most enticing part is Kobo offers e-books. That means the books are downloaded straightaway. That means she can read it straightaway. Now can you understand her excitement?

Plus, I don't have an iPad or any kind of e-reader. However, Kobo has a program that allows us to read the books on our desktop. The price of the book? Not too bad. Even after converting it to Malaysian Ringgit, I believe it may be cheaper than the hardcopy. And there is an option to pay with my paypal. So, lots of advantages for us to buy from KOBO.

Click here to learn more about KOBO.

If you love to read books and can't find some of your favorites in your local bookstores or library, I suggest you check to see if KOBO has it.

*Contains affiliate links. I love the website so much, I decided to be an affiliate.

Top five back-to-school organizing tips

(ARA) - The start of a new school year is like a fresh box of crayons - full of possibilities.

Ginny Bean, mother of three and publisher of Ginny's catalog, suggests families take advantage of this clean slate by establishing some new organizing routines.

Think ahead. Mornings are chaotic in most households with school-aged children. Consider handling as many daytime preparations as possible the night before. Lay out clothes. Pack lunches. Set out the breakfast dishes and cereal. Pack backpacks.

Bean suggests making systems kid-friendly, so young helpers can feel involved, and save mom some time in the process. "Carve out a spot on a lower shelf of the pantry for lunch boxes and lunch-making supplies. Then make children responsible for putting away their empty lunch boxes at the end of the school day, or even packing their own lunch."

Tackle school paperwork. Make a habit of sorting through children's backpacks with them the same day they come home. Allot time after school, when you arrive home from work, or after dinner, depending on your family's schedule. Use a tiered letter sorter or filing system with designated slots for each child's papers, and an "A.S.A.P." space for teachers' notes, permission slips and anything else that requires immediate attention.

For schoolwork and artwork you want to keep, try a two-step approach. First, purge unwanted items as soon as they come in the door. Collect the possible keepers in a storage bin or wheeled cart with color-coded drawers that allow for easy separation by child or project type. Go through stored items at regular intervals, perhaps once a month or once a quarter. Keep in mind, the more you accumulate, the easier it will be to pare down, as the best pieces will stand out from the crowd.

Designate a homework spot. Decide on the best spot in your home to set up homework central. Take into consideration how involved you need to be with homework and your child's style. Does he focus better with people around or in a private setting? Is he better suited to sit at a desk or curled up in a favorite chair with a laptop cart?

Once you have a place picked out, gather together handy homework tools and supplies into a nearby bin, drawer or cabinet. Stock up on age-appropriate supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, paper, crayons, markers, a ruler, dictionary, calculator and a pencil sharpener.

Create a communication hub. Include the family calendar, a chalk or bulletin board for posting messages and reminders, a binder for key documents, colored markers, pens and pencils. If you're a visual person, consider color coding your calendar by assigning each family member a different color.

Remember not to forget. Use wall hooks and baskets or bins near the front door to corral the items you need to remember each day: backpacks, books, lunches, gym shoes, sports equipment and musical instruments.

To request a copy of Ginny's catalog, visit Ginnys.com or call 800-487-9024.

Quick Remedy For Pimple

My eldest girl is going to be a teenager soon. Just recently, she has started to get pimples on her face. Hormones doing their crazy stuff no doubt.

I went to the pharmacy to look for some tea tree oil. It was really expensive, so hubby decided to buy her a tube of acne cream with tea tree oil as one of its ingredients. The brand is called Tracia TEEN. Cost us RM7.90. My girl says it helped to get rid of some tiny pimples on her forehead.

However, a few days ago she got this one BIG pimple on her nose. She said the cream wasn't helping. She asked what else she could do. I remember reading about honey and how it has anti-bacterial properties. Some people have tried it before, so I told her to give it a go. She did. She said it helped and that day itself the pimple had become smaller.

So, if you have pimple problems or know someone struggling with it, try dabbing some honey on it.

(I would show you pictures of the pimple but my girl says "NO" and then grunted at me).

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Click here to learn how you can clear your acne in 6 steps

Creative and healthier after-school snack ideas

(ARA) - When school starts, kids' schedules fill up fast, and that means they need the right fuel to keep their growing bodies and minds satisfied. After a long day of learning, kids require a snack that will get them through homework, after-school sports and other activities until dinner is served. Before you reach for the default bag of chips, consider these healthier alternatives that are just as easy and convenient.

Creative, healthier after-school snack ideas that your kids will gobble up:

1. Refresh with frozen apple sauce
Apple sauce has been a snacking staple for years, but now you can add a little excitement to those prepackaged apple packs. Simply buy Tree Top apple sauce cups, made with 100 percent USA apples, and place them in the freezer for a tasty treat similar to sorbet, and a healthier alternative to most ice cream and frozen snacks. Kids can grab them on their own when they get home from school so mom and dad don't have to lift a finger. Stock up on Tree Top apple juice boxes, too, for a complementary, easy grab-and-go drink option.

2. Delight in dip
It's no secret kids love to dip, so make after-school snacking more interesting by providing dip along with fresh fruit, veggies and crackers. Instead of salad dressing, change things up by mixing a single serve apple sauce cup with two tablespoons of peanut butter for a healthier dip alternative. Watch as your little ones wolf down their carrots, celery, apples, pretzels and more. Parents love that this dip option has many nutritional benefits - the apple sauce in it is a good source of vitamin C and peanut butter is packed with protein.

3. Wrap it up
Keeping whole wheat tortillas on hand is a smart move for any parent because they are extremely versatile. When kids come home from school hungry, it's easy to take a tortilla and fill it with their favorite nutritious fillings. For example, spread with classic peanut butter and jelly, add some banana and honey, or fill with turkey and mozzarella for a satisfying snack that keeps kids focused through all their homework

4. Happily hydrated
Making sure your kids are hydrated is an important part of keeping them healthy and feeling great each day. When kids are busy at school and with after-school activities, they can become dehydrated quickly. Instead of sugary sodas, choose a more nutritious alternative like Tree Top reduced sugar 100 percent fruit juices. These tasty and refreshing drinks are made with hydrating coconut water and no artificial sweeteners and have 25 percent less sugar than regular 100 percent juices.

5. A smooth finish to the school day
Smoothies are a fun way for kids to get a ton of nutrients in one single drink. It's easy for parents to stock up on frozen fruit at the local grocery store. Then, when kids get home, they can choose what flavors they want and you can blend the fruit with low-fat milk, yogurt and ice for a cool and delicious drink. You might even sneak in a few veggies by adding a splash of vegetable juice, or a couple pre-steamed vegetables like carrots, kale or squash. The fruit flavors are so robust, your kids won't even notice the veggies.

Healthy after-school snacks don't have to be boring or bland. Try these ideas and you can feel good about what your kids eat - they may love them so much they'll be requesting them every day.

Save in style on the hottest supplies for the 2012 back-to-school season

(ARA) - When it's time to prepare for the start of a new school year, shopping for school supplies is at the top of any family's to-do list. Students want supplies that are fun and reflect their personality. Parents look for items that are reliable and budget-friendly. The good news is this year's top trends in school supplies offer all those qualities, making shopping enjoyable for the entire family.

Parents and students have many choices on where to shop for supplies. They should consider destinations that offer a wide assortment and good value. At Staples, for example, families will find many choices from essential products to the latest novelty items.

Here are some of the top school supplies for the new school year:

A locker with personality
A locker is one of the few spaces kids have to express their individuality through fun and fresh decorations. Add instant glitz and much-needed light with new locker chandeliers that illuminate with seven LED lights. Decorating locker walls is simple and easy with magnetic locker wallpaper in fashionable patterns and students can even go retro with shag rugs available in four bright colors designed to fit standard lockers.

Recycle and save
Students require binders each school year and some are not usable after a year of wear and tear. This year, Staples is offering an exciting new program that helps families save money and be friendly to the environment. For every binder students bring in to recycle, they will receive an instant $2 back on a new binder purchased in store.  

Flash drives with flash
Flash drives are an academic essential these days, allowing students to carry their work to and from school with a simple, compact tool. Flash drives are not only useful, but the designs can be a lot of fun too. This year, flash drives come in the shapes of students' favorite characters such as The Simpsons, Family Guy and Angry Birds or even sports cars designs featuring Lamborghini, Mini Cooper and Aston Martin.

Fun and functional core tools
Designs that blend fun and function rule the scene for back-to-school 2012, and Staples offers exclusive items that are affordable as well as unique. For examples, students can make school work sweeter with novelty-shaped apple and cupcake tape dispensers and mini memo books in colorful fruit shapes. Kids can even show off their wild side with stylish zebra and cheetah prints found on basic tools like staplers, clipboards and magnetic clips.

Score the discounts
Look for coupons and discount programs to help keep your family on budget. For example, you can save 15 percent throughout the season with the Staples Back-to-School Savings Pass. For $10, the pass is valid until Sept. 15 for use once a day on supplies such as pens, pencils, paper notebooks and backpacks.

BIG Sale On School Curriculum at CurrClick

CurrClick is having their Back to Homeschool Sale now until 24th August 2012. Discounts are up to 75%.

This is the time to save money buying fun and interesting educational materials for your children. I've already done some shopping and bought some stuff for my 5 year old son. I bought a few books from this publisher: Kid Brilliance

Here is one that I got.

Guess What! - Among The Flowers
On one page it shows a close up of a flower or insect. Ask your child to guess what it is. The next page shows the full picture and there is some information about that flower or insect. This is a fun science lesson and could lead to more discussion and exploration.

Another one I got was this.

The First Anti-Coloring Book
I happen to come across this book called Young at Art a few years ago. From it I learn the importance of letting little children scribble. It is important part of their development. If we force them to draw shapes too early or give them coloring books, we actually limit their imagination and self expression. So anyway, this Anticoloring book is by the same author of Young at Art (Susan Striker). Each page is an art activity that allows the child's imagination to soar. For example, one activity is for the child to draw and name a new species of fish that scientist just discovered.

Okay, why don't you go check out the Currclick sale yourself. You can search the materials by age, subject, product type or publisher.
CLICK HERE TO---> Enjoy the low prices now before the sale ends.

Sleep smarts: Sleep is an important part of back-to-school preparation

(ARA) - Does your list of school supplies include sleep? Studies say it should, especially for teens.


Only 8 percent of American teenagers are getting the required nine or more hours of sleep needed, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In fact, a recent study published in the "Journal of Adolescent Health" found that more than 60 percent of high school students get less than seven hours of sleep per night. The situation does not improve in college, either.  A 2010 study conducted at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota revealed, not surprisingly, that 70 percent of college students get less than the 8 recommended hours of sleep.


While most people have, at times, battled sleep issues, poor sleep habits plague college campuses. Let's face it - most college kids do not place a premium on a good night's rest. In addition to sleep falling low on the priority list, most students are sleeping on cheap dorm mattresses and worn out pillows - which can affect sleep quality.


Perhaps reminding your student that there is a proven relationship between healthy sleep habits and academic success might help encourage healthier habits. In 2010, a University of Minnesota study found a significant positive correlation between the amount of sleep per night and GPA. Additionally, as the average number of days per week a student got less than five hours of sleep increased, GPA decreased.


Once a pattern of bad sleep has developed, is it possible for teens and college students to "reset" their internal clocks? Researchers at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say it is. Suggest that your students try following these tips, a little bit at a time, over several weeks:


* Try your best to avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol, heavy exercise and heavy snacking (pizza included) at least three hours before bedtime.


* Don't pull all-nighters or cram for exams late at night. Specifically schedule studying for when you're most alert so your performance won't be affected.


* Be as consistent as possible with your sleep habits, ideally aiming to go to bed at the same time each evening and get at least eight hours of sleep per night.


* Wake up at the same time every morning and head outside. Sunlight helps reset circadian rhythms, the body's internal biological process that rotates around a 24-hour schedule.


* Turn off your cell phone and laptop at night. Besides being a distraction, exposure to light can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that aids sleep.


* Make sure your bedroom is set up for sleep. If you are a light sleeper or your dorm is noisy, try wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Keep the room cool and dark. Make your bed as comfortable as possible. Consider investing in a foam mattress pad and a quality pillow. For example, for around $100, you can purchase a mattress topper and a waterbase pillow, both of which greatly improve head, neck and back support while you sleep.


"While you most likely cannot control the amount of sleep your teens or college-aged kids receive, at least you can make sure that once they are in bed, the sleep they do get is of the best quality," explains Maurice Bard, founder and CEO of Mediflow Inc., a company that makes waterbase bed pillows. "One simple way to accomplish this is to make sure your teens are sleeping on the right pillow - one that adjusts to properly support their head and neck throughout the night."


Countless studies have shown that people who get the right amount of sleep are physically and emotionally healthier - which is of course is something we all want for our children. Getting better grades is just the icing on the cake.

Crayon Art

Last Saturday I sat down with my kids to do some art work. Instead of me teaching them, I let my eldest daughter take the lead. She shared an art project she did at school.

Basically, you take some paper and cut out any shape you want. Then you take a crayon and color the sides of the shape. Next, you place the cut out paper onto your art block paper and smear the crayon with your finger.

Okay, I know I'm not very good at explaining this, so why don't I just show you. Watch the video.

I also found out that it works best if you use oil pastel crayons. Don't use wax crayons. You won't be able to rub anything off.

It was interesting how the 4 of us (my 3 kids and me) each did our crayon art differently. My eldest daughter decided she wanted to do a scenery. D1 was cutting out shapes of dragons and other creatures. D2 stuck to basic shapes and just randomly put them wherever on the page. Me, I did circles and tried to arrange them in a geometric manner. Well, here's how our art turned out. Hope this gives you an idea on your next art project.

Braised Pork Belly with Gula Melaka

This is what we had yesterday... another experiment: Braised Pork Belly with Gula Melaka (Palm Sugar).
Found the recipe here.

I didn't know how it was going to taste. But in the end, it was really nice. My little girl really liked it and even had 2 helpings of rice for lunch. She kept asking for more of the pork belly. This is the little girl that would usually chew meat and spit it out, and throw half her rice away. Yesterday, she ate everything up.

I didn't cook it as dry as the original recipe coz' I know my family loves gravy. The sweet and slightly sour taste of the gravy goes very nicely with rice. Okay, so here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• RM12 worth of pork belly (that's a little under 1kg)
• 1 tbsp of preserved bean paste (tau cheong)
• 8-10 shallots, sliced (I like lots of shallots, you can reduce this if you want)
• 2 chilli padi/bird eye chillies, cut (I didn't put this in because of the kids but DH says next time I mustn't omit)
• Gula melaka/palm sugar - Original recipe said to put in 25g. Sorry, I don't know how to measure it. So I just boiled like 3 blocks which I had with a little bit of water to melt it. I think I added about 6 spoonfuls (tbsp) when I was cooking. If you're not sure, just put less first. Before you're done cooking, just have a taste. If you don't think it is sweet enough (need to balance with the sour assam), just add some more.
• 2 tsp light soya sauce
• 1 tsp dark soya sauce
• 3 pieces tamarind skin
• 1 cup water

How To Cook

• Marinate pork belly with salt. I did mine overnight but 1 hour is good too.
• With some cooking oil, fry the shallots and bean paste.
• When it is fragrant, add in pork belly and fry for a bit.
• Add in water, gula melaka, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and tamarind skin.
• Turn heat down to low and let simmer. Cover the wok.
• Do a taste test and adjust accordingly.

Enjoy!

You Decide How Much You Pay When Shopping at Galoo

If you need to buy something, let's say a baby carseat, what would you do?

• You could go to a shop that sell baby carseats and purchase one there.
• You could also go online and buy from a merchant that sells it online.
• To try for further savings, maybe you could search online auction sites and try to win the bid at a good price.

Well, there is now another shopping option for you:
Say what you want at the price you want for products and services at Galoo.com

So back to the baby carseat. Let's say you browsed around Amazon and are interested in buying this brand: Evenflo Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat. You can go to Galoo and put that item up as a buyer request. You decide how much you want to pay for it. So maybe you can knock the price down another $10-$20 (up to you to create your own discount) from what you saw at Amazon. Sellers will see your request and decide if they want to sell it to you for the price you want. Galoo has a network of sellers all around the world. So Galoo hooks you up with an interested seller and the both of you negotiate the price, how the payment is made and the shipping methods too.

If you want better discounts, you can invite your friends to join you in buying that same product or service. If more people want to buy, then sellers will be more willing to lower the price.



This is an interesting new way to buy things/services online that will help you save money. Instead of you chasing after the best deal, you set your price and let the sellers compete to give you the best deal. I like that.

This is not just for people who want to buy, it is a place for people to sell too. You can sign up as a seller and list your products/services for free. However, once a deal is made, you have to pay Galoo 8% of the item's final selling price. This is only fair since they helped you find your client.

So give Galoo a try and have fun haggling!

Healthy Eating for Kids

With all of the debate surrounding childhood obesity and healthy eating habits for kids it’s easy to get lost in what your kids should actually be doing and what they shouldn’t. While food companies have taken notice of the rising trend in feeding kids healthy foods and have created lower calorie food options at restaurants and fast food joints, and are now packaging 100 calorie snack packs and other lighter fare, there is still a problem with these foods not having a high nutritional content, thus teaching our kids portion control without nutritional value. So what do you feed your kids? You can start with these five foods:

1. Oatmeal: Plain oats provide kids with a good dose of whole grain carbohydrates that will keep them energized and satiated for hours. The plain variety is easily sweetened with cinnamon and a small amount of brown sugar, and you can top them with fresh berries or fruits and low-fat milk to add some extra vitamins, nutrients and flavor. They’re also a versatile breakfast that can be served hot in the winter or cold in the summer.

2. Vegetables: Vegetables are nutrient dense foods that kids can eat in mass quantities without worrying about consuming too many calories. They are the perfect addition to any meal, and you can easily add in extra servings by adding them to spaghetti sauces, quiches, lasagnas, or eggs. Or they can be eaten raw for an afternoon snack in place of chips or other unhealthy options.

3. Low-fat milk: Kids need plenty of milk to help support their growing bones and keep them strong.  Whole milk can be calorically heavy, so try to stick to low-fat or skim milk to get kids the calcium and protein benefits they need without too many extra calories. Try serving a glass of milk with dinner each night or swapping out soda with milk. But beware of the flavored milk options, as they can add in a lot of extra unnecessary sugar.

4. Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, and eggs are all great sources of lean protein which help support your child’s growth. Try to avoid serving too much fried food, and stick to grilling, boiling, broiling, and baking lean proteins instead. While the fried food may taste good, it does nothing nutritionally for your kids, and often times experimenting with different spices or marinades can result in an even more delicious option than their fried counterparts.

5. Greek yogurt: Yogurt is a great snack or breakfast option for kids, but is often loaded with extra sugar. Try replacing their daily yogurt with a low-fat Greek yogurt instead. It has an even creamier texture than regular yogurt and has an almost dessert-like consistency, not to mention it’s got a ton of extra protein.
Though poor eating habits are a standard occurrence for kids these days, your kids don’t have to fall victim to these types of bad habits. Teaching your kids to regularly consume foods like these early on sets the stage for healthy eating habits for life. When it’s possible, try to stick to food in its most complete form, as this will offer the most nutritional benefits for your child. Make cooking meals a fun experience, and cook at home whenever possible, making healthy swaps like serving baked chicken tenders instead of chicken nuggets and homemade pizza in place of carryout. When food is made at home you control the portion size and the ingredients, and you can teach kids how to cook healthily at a young age.


Author Byline:
Kelsey is the editor in chief for findananny. She loves to write article and ideas that parents & nannies would be interested in hearing. She helps society on giving information about nannies through online nanny finder. She is a professional writer & loves writing on any thing.

5 Ways to Ease Back into Shape after Pregnancy

The media has single-handedly done an excellent job at telling the world that celebrity moms have one-upped us regular folks yet again by bouncing back to their pre-baby weight in no time at all after pregnancy. However easing back into exercise isn’t that easy for many of us, and it’s unlikely that we’ll shed all of that baby weight in six weeks, and maybe not even six months. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to carry it around with you forever though. Use these five tips to ease back into working out and shaping up:

1. Don’t do too much too soon:
   It might be tempting to want to jump back into hard workouts as soon as you get the go ahead to start exercising from your doctor, but it’s important to remember that taking any amount of time off effects your strength and endurance, so doing a little bit at a time is much more beneficial than going crazy and then burning out or getting injured.
   
2. Make a schedule:
   Find a time that works for you, your spouse, and your baby and try to stick to it as best as possible. Maybe you have 30 minutes before your significant other has to leave for work where he can watch the baby and you can sneak in an exercise DVD or a run, or maybe you have an hour over lunch time where you can walk around the neighborhood and push your newborn in a stroller. Prioritizing time for exercise is the only way that you’ll get back into it.
   
3. Remember that you deserve me time too:
   New moms often are worried about leaving their babies for any amount of time, and have trouble justifying taking any time to themselves to do something for their own benefit. Despite any misgivings you may have though, you’re going to be a better mom for taking some time for yourself every day than not. You need that time to decompress and relieve some stress.
   
4. Clean up your diet:
   Many women indulge more than a few times during their pregnancy, and this can cause some less than stellar eating habits. Start to clean up your diet now that you’re only eating for one again, and try to consume as many healthy, whole foods as possible. Your baby needs you in optimal health to provide the best care for him, so start eating better for both yourself and your baby.
   
5. Be flexible:
   Try not to be too rigid in any routine, as you’re likely still sleep-deprived and adjusting to being a new mom. Prioritize time for your health, but also realize that it’s OK if you can only fit in two or three days of exercise at first. You’ll develop a steady routine over time.
   

Returning to healthy food and exercise habits after pregnancy is something that many new moms struggle with, so don’t think you’re alone. Try not to get hung up on any particular time frame you have to lose the weight by. With a healthy mindset you’ll be able to bounce back from any pregnancy weight gain in a time frame that’s right for your body.

Roxanne Porter is a freelancer & a regular contributor for part time nanny. She helps in providing knowledge about nanny services & love writing on nanny related articles. She helps in giving a fair knowledge about nanny Jobs to the community. You can be in touch with her at “r.poter08ATgmail.com” .

Guess What's Cooking?

I thought I'd do something fun today. Take a look at the picture above and guess what dish I'm going to cook.
 List of ingredients:

• Oil from pork fat
• Lean pork
• Green mustard (choy sum/sawi)
• Prawns 
• Chicken stock
• Garlic - minced
• Eggs
• Flat noodles (Hor Fun/Kuey Teow)
• Corn Flour (To thicken the grave, hint! hint!)

So, make a guess. What do you think I'm cooking today?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Update)
And the answer is... Wat Tan Hor / Kuey Teow Cantonese Style

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

This is what we are eating today: Vietnamese noodle salad.
I admit that it is not very authentic but it is yummy.

Last Saturday, I had a church activity and a vietnamese sister prepared all the ingredients to make a vietnamese spring roll. She taught us how to put it together and roll everything up. However, we were in a small room and space was limited. So we all had to take turns to prepare our own roll. Some of us very hungry ones (including me) decided to skip the "rolling" part and just put everything on our plate and started eating... like a noodle salad. And so that is what's on my menu today.

Here's a quick look at my recipe.
Ingredients:

• Chicken leg
• Vietnamese noodle (Found in Tesco in the area where they sell "bihun". This one had vietnamese  words on the packaging, so I assume it is vietnamese noodle).
• Cabbage (shredded)
• Carrot (shredded)
• Taugeh or bean sprouts. I bought Ipoh taugeh.
• Prawns
• Mint leaves 

Sauce (I believe they call it nuoc cham. You can look online for the recipe but this is the one I used):

•  3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 lemon grass, chopped and pounded
• 3 tbsp water

How to:

• When I followed the sauce recipe above, it was not enough for me. So if you need more, just add more water, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice. Experiment a little and try to get that balance of sweet, salty and sour. 
• With the chicken, I rubbed some salt on and let it sit for a while. Before frying each piece, I first dipped it into some egg and then coated with corn flour. I usually end up burning my chicken when I fry them. So now, what I do is fry them for about 5 minutes and then pop them all into the oven to bake until cooked (about 45 minutes). Comes out perfect this way. Chop the chicken into bite size when it is done.
• Soak the Vietnamese noodle in water until soft. I quickly blanched them in hot water to cook it. Drain and set aside.
• Shred and cabbage and carrot like you're doing coleslaw. Set aside.
• Peel and wash the prawns. Cook in boiling hot water. Take out and set aside.
• When it is time to eat, just put everything onto your plate/bowl and add the sauce. 

That's it! My 2nd son really enjoyed it. He loved the sweet and sour taste. And it is a very healthy dish too.
Oh, feel free to add whatever other ingredients you like. This is a pretty versatile dish. For example, instead of chicken, you could do pork chops.

p.s. Another Vietnamese roll recipe - I did this in 2008.  Check out the ingredients I used then.

Do You Spend Or Save on Kids Clothes?

 
How much money do you spend on kids clothing?

When it comes to baby and toddler clothes, I've been lucky that I never had to spend much. Many friends and relatives were kind enough to give me clothes their children had outgrown. Of course I felt a little bad if my children only wore hand-me-downs, so once in a while I would buy them some new clothes. I would usually shop for clothes to celebrate the Chinese New Year. That is one Chinese tradition I try to hold on to.

I'm glad my kids don't demand for branded clothing. They also don't mind wearing the hand-me-downs. Just a few weeks ago I looked at my littleK's dresses and realized they were getting kinda small. I thought I would have to go shopping but then I remembered, I had kept some of her big sister's clothes in a luggage bag. Digging through the bag I pulled out a whole bunch of dresses, pants and shirts she could now fit into. Can you imagine, I kept those clothes for 9 years! There were some with yellow stains but that came off after using bleach. Now they look as good as new.

I've pretty much decided that littleK is going to be the last child. So, the clothes she outgrows, I won't be keeping them anymore. Thank goodness there is a church friend who willingly accepts the used kids clothing I hand over to him. His baby is a year plus behind littleK.

I get a little emotional when I give away those tiny little clothes. Do you feel that way too? I don't know why; maybe it is reality hitting me that my kids are growing up fast.

So, do you mind when people give you their kids used clothes? Do you dress your kids in branded clothes? What do you do with clothes your children can't wear anymore? I would love to hear your comments.

At What Age Would You Allow Makeup For Your Daughter?

Bea. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On the radio a few days ago, the topic of children wearing makeup was highlighted. A lady was not happy that her young niece was wearing makeup when they went out shopping together. This lady said that the mother should not have allowed it. I can't remember how old was the niece; definitely below 12 years old though.

Anyway, I have 2 girls and I started wondering at what age should I allow them to wear makeup? I know this girl in church who is the same age as my daughter (11 years old) and she wears makeup every Sunday. My daughter has not even bothered to ask about makeup. I don't think it has even crossed her mind yet to  put "stuff" on her face. I can see how mothers are a big influence in this area. I don't really bother much with makeup myself. This girl that wears makeup to church, her mother likes to dress up. I guess it is only natural that girls sort of follow their mother's footsteps?

Well, I don't want to play judge here and say girls should or shouldn't wear makeup before a certain age. However, for my own girls, I think I would set the age at 16, and that would be light makeup only. They can start putting full blown makeup when they start working and have to look professional. When they are still young, they already have youthful beauty. Instead of teaching that makeup makes them look beautiful, I would rather teach about proper skin care. If they clean their skin properly, keep it hydrated and moisturized, I believe they won't need much "enhancement" from makeup.

What do you think? At what age would you allow your daughter to start wearing makeup?

Add a global twist to your summer fun

(ARA) - Summer doesn't have to mean taking a break from learning. In fact, you can use this vacation season to help your kids explore new customs and add a global twist to their summer fun. Whether toddlers, teens or somewhere in between, you don't have to trot the globe to open their minds and imaginations to the world. Here are some tips to help your family get started:

1. Explore a new language.
Consider learning a language together as a family through a community education course or a local cultural organization - you can even download language instruction podcasts or MP3s from iTunes and other places on the Web. If your children are younger, you can start by learning some fun words, phrases or greetings.

2. Sample cuisine from other countries
Take your family out to a restaurant that serves food from a different country, or consider preparing world cuisine recipes together at home. Make this into a game for your kids. Give each child an opportunity to select a country, and prepare a meal representative of the culture. Whether it's Indian, Mexican, Japanese or German, you can learn a lot about a culture from its food.

3. Embrace international media.
There are endless opportunities to learn about the world right at your fingertips - from watching an international news program to downloading international music. Take advantage of rainy days or cool summer nights to enjoy movies that are set in other countries. Search your TV listings for travel programs. And of course, you and your kids can read books together about far-off places.

4. Reach out to friends to share stories.
Ask friends, neighbors and colleagues who have lived in or traveled around the world to share their stories and experiences with your kids. Show the kids you are interested in learning about the world too by trading traditions and cultures over family barbecues or get-togethers.

5. Host an international exchange student.
Hosting an exchange student is a great way to broaden your children's worldviews. You can host an exchange student for a few weeks, a few months or a full school year. This unique experience will not only give you an opportunity to introduce your children to new customs and cultures, but will challenge your kids to learn about, appreciate and share their own culture and traditions. You can welcome a student in the fall and use this summer to prepare for their arrival. Use any of the above ideas to get ready for your international guest.

Families interested in hosting a high school exchange student can contact EF Foundation for Foreign Study, the United States' largest exchange organization, at effoundation.org or 800-447-4273.

Learning about the cultures and people of the world begins at home. Whether it's talking about world events, hosting an exchange student, or just enjoying delicious new foods, by helping your kids develop broad worldviews, you're also giving them a world of possibilities.

The Importance of Family Meals

Photo from josiahfiles.tumblr.com

If you don’t want your children eating like they are playing Hungry Hungry Hippos, then you need to have family mealtimes together.

What has one got to do with the other? Well, if your child is always eating alone or in front of the television, then when are they learning manners? Manners like:

• Not talking with their mouth full
• No elbows on the table
• Proper use of utensils
• Proper bite size
• Eating vegetables
• Saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and ‘excuse me’
• Not chomping, scraping, or slurping
• Using a napkin
• Polite dinner conversation
• Listening skills
• Not texting at the table
• Sitting up straight
• Serving others
• Passing politely

There are probably more, but you get the idea. Do you think kids are born knowing how to do all this? With a good grasp of manners and etiquette? No! They have to be taught, and it is much easier to teach kids from a young age a little at a time rather than throw it all at them at once when they are older and ‘should know better’.

Do you want your kids to grow up and go out on a dinner date acting like a wild hyena? I’ll tell you what that will get them – a magically vanishing date. Or how about a business luncheon? How does it reflect on their professionalism if they stab their meat or slurp their tea?

Why do we get upset with children who do not understand what seems simple to us? They have never been taught! So, at dinner time put away the cell phones, turn off the television, and sit down at the table. You might be surprised at how much your children still have to learn.

About the Author:

This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of live out nanny.

She welcomes your comments at her email Id: - jdebra84 @ gmail.com.

My Photobook 2010

It is my goal to create a family photobook every year. This is better than a photo album as the photobooks I create contain journaling. This way, people who look at the pictures also know the story behind it. Makes it so much more meaningful.

Unfortunately, I only work on my photobook during my spare time. Most people think SAHM (stay-at-home-moms) would have lots of spare time. Let me tell you that is a MYTH! It took me around a year to finish this book. Thank goodness I do keep an updated journal, plus I make it a point to take pictures of my family every month. So when it comes to creating the photobook pages, I have my journal to remind me what happened during that year. Plus, looking back at my blog posts and FB updates helps too.

Okay, so here are some of the pages I created, just to give you a sneak peek.

My kids LOVE looking through the photobook. In case you are wondering, I created these scrapbook pages using MyMemories Suite scrapbooking software. MyMemories was featured on the Mother’s Day Special for Lifetime Television’s Morning show, "The Balancing Act". They are currently running a FREE PHOTOBOOK promotion. 

If you use my discount code, you can get $10 off when you buy the scrapbook software. The discount also gives you another $10 to spend at their online store.
CODE: STMMMS86598
You can get the software here —-> MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Scrapbooking and photobooks are a wonderful way to keep memories alive. If you are a new mom or have young kids, I highly recommend that you learn to scrapbook and journal the memories of your family. Your efforts will not go to waste and you'll be glad you did it. Now I have to start working on my photobook 2011. Let's see how long it is going to take me this time :p

6 Things to Tell Your Daughters about Boys

As a woman, there are many things I would like to go back and tell my younger self. A lot of mistakes were made that I wish I could prevent now. But you can’t go back. However, also as a woman, there are a few things that I think I have insight into now that I am older. Things I wish my parents had told me growing up;things about boys, dating, and sex. Here are six of them:

1. Sex isn’t bad – I was raised very conservatively, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, there does need to be a healthy balance. If you send your daughters out thinking that sex is something to be feared and the desire for sex is something to be ashamed of, what happens when they get married? Does a switch suddenly flip and it is all okay now? No. If you are raising them conservatively, let them know that sex is a good, natural thing, to be shared between a husband and a wife.

2. Sex isn’t everything – Television and other kids send you another type of message about sex. Sex isn’t the be all and end all of existence. No one is having sex all the time, and all your friends haven’t had sex. Relationships, friendships, aren’t all about sex. Sex is just a tiny part of life; don’t make it bigger than it really is.

3. Boys aren’t all creeps – Between parents warning daughters to watch for boys who are ‘only after one thing’ and the media publicizing horror stories and perverts left and right, it is no wonder girls are afraid of boys. Not all boys are like that. Teach your daughters what a good man looks like, acts like, talks like.

4. Respect them, respect yourself–Relationships are about respect, and healthy sexual relationships are about that too. Boys aren’t the only culprits when it comes to sexuality and forwardness. Lots of girls are ‘coming on to’ boys nowadays. Teach your daughters not only to respect themselves and their sexuality, but to respect the boys as well.

5. Be ready – It is so important to teach them more than ‘don’t EVER have sex’ or ‘if you have sex, be safe’. Daughters (and sons) need to understand that people mature at different rates. Just because their friend is ready to take that step doesn’t mean they have to. They need to be ready; ready for the responsibility and the consequences.

6. There are consequences–Sex is an adult responsibility. When sex occurs, there is much more to it than physical interaction. First off are the typical pregnancy and disease warnings. Yes, those are important, but more important and less well known is this: sex causes connections. Deep, emotional connections that don’t go away. Daughters need to know that they are connecting themselves permanently to that person. At a young age, especially, it is likely the relationship will not last. What then? They get a piece of their heart ripped out. The more partners, the more pieces removed until their heart is tattered and empty. Talk about an unhappy life.

You may not agree with me about all these points, but these are my experiences. These are the things I wish I’d known as a young woman. And even though they may be things you didn’t experience, they may be things your daughter will. Take the time to have a serious conversation before your daughter gets herself into something she’s not ready for.

Author Bio

Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to become a nanny by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.