Easy healthy home cook meal - for busy mum

As a Malaysian, I have to admit that although I own an oven, I could hardly use it for cooking meal. From my point of view, baking was still not a usual procedure for most Malaysian mum to prepare meal although some modern mum did bake every week. To prepare a healthy light meal, I normally will go for rice with steam fish and stir fry vegetables or stir fry noodles. One of my favourite easy healthy meal which I cook frequently is stir fry noodles with lots of vegetables and miso paste. If you use organic leafy vegetables, you don't even have to soak it, which save me some times. If not, make sure you soak them before cooking to get rid of the pesticides (which causes bitter taste).

The ingredients varied depending on what I have in my fridge but miso paste is the main character in the dish. You can either choose an organic miso paste from organic store or a much cheaper version from AEON. I love both of them. Just remember to add miso lastly just before you remove your noodles from the hot wok to avoid heating up and destroying the nutrients.

Buy yourself some dried noodles (any brand will do). They only contains wheat flour, salt and water (absolutely healthier than instant noodles) 

For miso, I have tried those from AEON (Top Value brand) and I personally think they taste as good as this organic miso paste (O'Forest brand). Organic version cost more than 2 x of the non-organic miso paste. I have also bought this miso paste from AEON with Bonito which I can't wait to try.

After cooking the dried noodles in boiling water until almost fully cooked (around 4 min), the noodles is ready to be stir-fried. Heat some oil in the hot wok, add in garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant. Add other ingredient following this sequence: prawns (seasoned with salt), fresh mushroom, tomato, bell pepper, leafy vegetables and noodles. Lastly add a teaspoon of miso paste and off the fire. Stir the miso paste until well mix.

If you prefer to add pinch of salt (in most cases you don't have to since the miso paste is already salty), you can consider Himalaya salt which is more nutritious (contains micronutrients) and unbleached. A bag of 500g will cost you around RM2.90 from the grocery store here. 

Viola, after a few minutes of stir frying, a healthy plate of noodles is ready for the whole family! My toddlers love them and I hope you like it too :). 

2015 Kolisko Conference Malaysia

It was not common for a Malaysian to fork out their own pocket money of RM850 to attend a conference for our own benefits. But I was attracted to this 3.5days conference when I came across it. Hence, I have registered myself despite the objection of my hubby (He said why don't you just get the information needed by buying more books :)?) 3.5 days passed with the blink of an eye and I was very glad that I have made a right choice.

This was the first time a Kolisko Conference was held in Malaysia (28th -31st May 2015). Many speakers from all over the world came to share their knowledge for the sake of community health. We were so lucky to be able to attend it here in Malaysia.

I have chosen the workshop "Magical age of 0-7 and adult consciousness towards children and our life". It was conducted by Junko sensei who operated Waldorf kindergarten in Penang (Nania kindergarten) for 19 years. Junko sensei was very fun person and she shared her experience of interpreting a child's drawing in this picture (the child jumped from 3rd floor if not mistaken, a few days after drawing that picture! Luckily she was alright). Besides, she had also shared with us her experiences of applying Waldorf education in kindergarten and how enjoyable the life of 0-7 should be. Parents and teachers' creativity could make a different in children's early child hood. 

The workshop entitled "Art therapy as self care activity and as a tool to initiate constructive social processes". It was conducted by Prof. Hildrun from Germany. She told us that we could register for the 3 years course to be qualified as an art therapist. Hence, in this 3 days workshop, we could only get a glimpse of how art could work as a therapeutic tools (clay work, water colour, pastels, oil pastel painting). 

Combining 8 person's clay work by remaining their individual center piece (most favorite piece) is an exercise portraying giving in certain things to maintain community health while not losing one's individualism. Doing clay work itself is relaxing and hence therapeutic. 

When we were given the title "hot and cold meeting each other", the outcomes from 40 participants were very different. By arranging them from those with significant shapes and lines to those without, Prof. Hildrun explained how we could use the outcome to interpret a person's characters. People who drew significant lines and shapes were people of thinking oriented while people who drew slashes of colors were people of action/doers. People who combine both (in between) were the "feeling" type of people. Can you spot my drawing which looks like water melon (according to my classmates)? Prof. Hildrun said I was the person with great feelings (I interpret as people who make decision based on feelings in most cases :D...Oh no! I am an EMO scientist in this case...).   

One of the origami that we learned to make during the workshop. I remember we enjoyed making many different origami when we were small. 

We have 4 organic vegetarian meals per day during the conference! It help us to detox! 

Have you ever try soft pastel before? It was not common in Malaysia. 

Drawing with oil pastel, followed by applying oil with essential oil on the drawing. The drawing looks nice when we hang it on the glass as it was a translucent paper that we used. 

As a mother of two, I felt totally refreshed after attending this conference and workshops. It helps me to understand myself and our kids better and remind me of raising child creatively is what we should do. Singing, musics, arts...these are all the things I am lacking-off being a researcher. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to attend this workshop and I will continue looking for workshop that could help us improve ourselves as an individual as well as a mother :)

Surveying kindergarten for a toddler

I was keen to send my children to a Montessori or Waldorf school but staying in this part of the world make it almost impossible unless we were willing to make her travel everyday. Reluctantly, I send JY to a very academic kindergarten nearby after her babysitter suggesting her to go. The baby sitter was occupied with one baby and one ill mother in law aside from her busy house chores and hence could not cope with taking care of 2 years plus JY anymore.

I only realized I was unintentionally being brought up by a nearly Waldorf way until I became a parent and read about Waldorf. I  went to kindergarten at the age of 6. Before that, I grew up on the hill with my grandmother and my uncle's family. The first time I learned ABC was in kindergarten as my grandmother was illiterate. And I do think that the first 6 years of playing on the hill was one of the best memories of my life.

After comparing a few famous kindergarten nearby namely Q-dees, Smart Reader and MRC, at first I wanted to choose MRC as the school principle has the same view with me that children need sunlight and thereby let all the students playing under the sun before school program formally started each day.Unfortunately, it was fully booked when I found the school. Finally, we selected Q-dees as it was located in semi-D rather than shop lot, hoping that she will still get some sunlight from the window. Q-dees at BPP became JY's first school of her life.

JY cried for 2 weeks after going to school. She refused to wear her uniform everyday. I followed the principle's suggestion of letting her there for a full day program as a start (instead of a half day program before converting into full day) but regret after that. JY was not being well taken cared of at school (I guess the teachers are expecting her to take care of herself). At the age of 2 years 5 months, she still wear a pampers and do not clean herself up properly. Two weeks later, I withdrew her from full day program and found her another baby sitter. She went to kindergarten from 8am -12pm and went to her new baby sitter after that.

It has been almost 2 months since JY went to Qdees. Unfortunately, she still has not begin to like going to school. When I asked her if she likes school, her answer is still no. :( I guess I still have to look for a Waldorf school for her. Any recommendation on Waldorf school near Serdang or Seri Kembangan, Selangor? I will really appreciate your suggestion.

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I have finally withdrawed JY from Q-Dees after 2 months. She had developed sinus due to unknown reason. Her nose blocked seriously with bloody mucus excreted when she sneezed. After consulting the pediatrician, Dr. Lee from Kids Specialist Clinic several times to treat it, doctor advised that I tentatively withdrawed her from school. Due to this circumstance, the principal of Q-Dees at Seri Kembangan agreed with my decision.

At the age of 2 years 7 months, JY was sent back to a baby sitter (full day from 8am to 7pm) again. Her new baby sitter was very stern and successfully potty-trained her in 4 days! I was amazed with the result as the former baby sitter always told me that it wasn't time to start training her yet. I only re-sent JY to nursery when she approached the age of 3 this time. I found that she was really ready to go to school again this time. Sadly, JY's sensitive nose was not able to be cured completely. She often sneezes and developed runny nose especially in the morning and at night. I felt sorry to her that I have challenged her immune system at a young age by sending her to a crowded school. I wish that I could turned back the clock and redo what have been done.

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I was introduced to this nursery namely Tadika Kristal Cahaya by a neighbor who was a full time mother of 4. After meeting the principal, Ms. Jenny Beh, I decided to send JY to the nursery last August, 2015. This time JY happily attended school everyday. There are only 3 students of 3 years old in the class. Hence, the nursery had arranged to teach them together with those of 4 years old. The school fees was very much cheaper compared to Q-Dees and the school was not crowded. It was located in a corner lot of a double-storey house, which allowed children to run and play around everyday before school starts. School starts formerly at 8.30am but there was a one to one ready session, teaching the children to read "Key Words" book namely Peter and Jane series from 8 to 8.30am. JY learned to read the first book by herself after 3 months in the nursery and this was not something I expect her to do, but rather a bonus. I think the nursery suits her as it was not too academic driven and less crowded.

When selecting a nursery for your young child (3-4 years old), I would suggest that at least these considerations being made:

1. Distance of school from home (young children get tired of travelling to and fro if the journey was very long. Transportation can be a problem too.)
2. Teachers' quality (for example, I prefer teacher who speak non-broken English in my context. Teachers who look friendly, loving and patient would attract kids to like going to school).
3. Curriculum or program (Some people who prefer those academic oriented school should really consider Q-Dees from my opinion. I personally prefer school with simple syllabus for the kids at such a young age. I believe what Waldorf taught about how too early intellectual development would hinder growth forces on physical body.)
4. Cost (might be a concern if you have many kids)
5. Environment ( I prefer school with space for children to run around and get some sunshine before school started.
6. Numbers of students ( Consider teacher to students ratio and also how big is the space to occupied how many students. A small room cramped with too many students and teachers is definitely not comfortable making the kids get sick easily)

What else do you think that is important which I have missed out? Please enlighten me :).
   

Breast Feeding Guide- What do you need as a start (for working mums)

Accessories that You May Need

After selecting and buying a pump, don't forget to get yourself some milk bottles to store milk, ice pack to keep the milk chill, cooler bag as well as back pack to keep all these together with your breast pump. If you don't have much time left to shop and are looking for option which are safe and value for money, try this shop: One Baby World. There are many franchises available and you can even purchase their products online conveniently at http://www.onebabyworld.com/. Among all brands available, I found Autumnz as one of the brand that value for money. 

1. Breast milk storage bottles 

I recommended getting a BPA free milk bottle of 5oz size so that you can use it for a longer period of time without transferring to feeding bottle. Besides, I also find it more convenient to stick to one brand so that you will not have to waste time finding the cover that fits later. I recommended Autumnz brand milk storage bottles. It come in a pack of 10 pieces in less than RM35. 

Picture showing Autumnz brand milk storage bottles (adapted from www.onebabyworld.com)

2. Breast milk storage bags  

You may also buy some milk storage bags to spare in case you have insufficient storage bottles. Buy those with good plastic material (with certain thickness) and BPA free. Again, I found Autumnz a great choice as it is good value for money. 

Autumnz brand milk storage bag, less than RM0.40 per piece (picture from Internet)

3. Ice pack

Don't forget that you will need some ice pack to keep your milk chilled while travelling back from work. The cheapest option like Autumnz (around RM20 for 3 pieces) will do the job just as great. 

Ice Pack from Autumnz, picture from internet

4. Cooler bag and bag pack to carry your breast pump 

Last but not the least, a cooler bag that could fit the numbers of bottles that you pump at work (minimum 6 bottles for example); and a bag that could fit in all your pump together with milk bottles with cooler bag. 

Showing here cooler bag from Autumnz which is currently selling at around RM16 per piece (picture from internet). I have two of these so that I could give one to baby sitter while bringing one to work on the same day

Happy pumping mother! Your baby will enjoy better health, sleep better and stays happier with all your hard work after this.

Making Time Saving Nutritious Baby Food

DIY anchovy powder to be added into baby porridge

Recently I have tried to make dried anchovy powder using oven instead of "dry frying" (frying in the wok without oil while continuously stirring it- it was tiring and time consuming when making it this way). I found out that the result was amazing and much simpler which enable me to make it more frequently or making bigger batches!

Materials:
1. Anchovy (ikan bilis)- I have bought those de-boned with internal organs removed
 

Methods:
1. Wash the anchovy to remove salt, pat dry on kitchen towel and spread it on a baking pan
2. preheat oven at 100 degree C
3. Bake for 20 min or until it become crispy
4. Blend into powder using a blender and store it in an air tight bottle.

Suggestion 
It is so nutritious and tasty when sprinkled on top of the porridge or cereals made for baby to eat!

Cakes that you should avoid giving to your children

Rainbow cake & Red Velvet Cake

When come to selecting a birthday cakes for your family, especially your children; I hope that you would think twice if you are planning to buy a cake with very attractive color such as a rainbow cake or a red velvet cake. The reason is you need to add in heap of coloring in order to produce those cakes. Red velvet cake for instance, it is actually a chocolate cake often colored with almost 1 bottle of red coloring to make it appeared red! Although there are some people substituting the red coloring with natural ingredients such as beet root nowadays, it doesn't seems common here in Malaysia.

Nice looking rainbow cake is full of coloring

One piece of red velvet cake containing almost one bottle red coloring 

Instead, choose cakes with white color (color from the cream) or a chocolate cake. It is as delicious and much healthier choice. Fondant cake also looks nice and alright to eat except for the fondant which is basically sugar and coloring.

Research has associated food coloring with problems in children such as allergies, hyperactivity, learning impairment, irritability as well as aggressiveness. For some very sensitive children, they may even displaying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. This causes them not being able to  sit in a chair, paying attention, finishing school work, forgetful and not listening to others etc. Sound so familiar? So the next time we observe our children having these symptoms, we should find out what have we given them to eat recently :).

Pampers Deal in Malaysia

Drypers Wee Wee Dry- Best deal 2014

Although I still find Mamypoko being the best pampers available in Malaysia, I tend to use together with Drypers, which is much cheaper to save cost. Recently I have found a good deal at www.lazada.com.my selling Drypers at RM96 for 3 packs and on top of that, we got an additional 15% offer if you were to purchase using your Mastercard on Monday. Each pack of pampers which normally cost RM34 (normal offer rate) will now cost you RM27.20 (a saving of nearly RM7 per pack)! Delivery is FOC!!

I have grabbed the deal and I hope you will benefit the same way too.... Happy shopping online to save money and time!:)