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#LunchBoxTalk – Prepare your kids Lunch Box Kit

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Are you availing of the school lunch package or preparing one at home? Tin or plastic? Compartment or box type?

Let’s talk about SCHOOL LUNCH KIT!  In this post I will share our favorite boxes and essentials that make my lunch packing easier.

Also, check out previous post on Top 5 things you need to get your lunch kit ready.

lunch box kit

Collect this items!

These things are stuff you can easily gather and build a stash off from eating out or having food delivered.

school lunch kit
  • Table Napkins
  • Wet Wipes
  • Disposable Utensils
  • Condiment Packets – ketchup, mayo, salt and pepper

You will save a lot by making it habit to keep the extra things listed above you get for free. Wash disposable utensils after use to save more moolah, mama!

Water bottles

Whether you choose BPA free plastic or stainless bottles for your kids, you should ask yourself  – “How to clean the bottle”

I prefer water bottles that has removable parts because yucky molds can build up in corners. Base on our experience any removable parts can also be replaced.

#LunchboxTalk Water Bottles

Once a week sterilize all bottles specially the plastic parts. I use warm water + salt to sterilize  weekly and Milton sterilizing liquid monthly to remove black spots that may appear.

Compartment lunch box

I prefer compartment boxes because it is neat and when the kids open it, they see everything and not shuffle from one box to another.

Here’s our 3 favorite compartment boxes.

OmieBox

2019 update: Detailed review of OmieBox, here.

I declare OmieBox the coolest lunch box this 2018! This box is by far the only one available in the market that is capable of storing hot and cold food.

OmieBox Dubai

This box is 100% leak proof and airtight to keep food fresh. A slider can be removed and use to adjust the space of the two compartments. I will post another review after a month of use.

OmieBox is now available in the UAE.

Yumbox Panino

This box has been last school year’s favorite because it’s colorful and light. We’ve had this box for a year now and has hold up pretty well.

Yumbox Panino

This one is 100% leak proof which is one of its best feature. I have packed saucy pasta and yoghurt in it and the liquid stayed in its compartment. That being said colorful sauce tend to stain the silicone and sometimes food smell stays.

Yumbox is available in the UAE and Philippines.

Planetbox Rover

We’ve had this steel box for 4 years now, has survived rough handling of a active boy and his troop. The box still looks brand new!

pnaetbox rover

What I like the most is that this steel box is so easy to clean – not greasy and food smell don’t stay. While food stay in their designated compartment, you need to pack “saucy” food in a separate sealed containers, they are called dippers.

We bought this from the Planetbox website and had it delivered to Dubai via Aramex Shop N Ship.

Check out some posts to help you with school lunch packing.

Recipe: Galic Baby Bok Choy

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This is simple stir fried bokchoy is my favorite way to prepare this vegetable. It’s quick, easy, healthy and yummy. I prepare this as a side dish for fried meat or baked fish. Great for lunch box too.

I get our Bok Choy stash from WestZone supermarket and during the winter season at the Farmers Market.

Garlic Bok Choy

Quick and easy dish that is great side for either a fried or baked meat. 

Ingredients

  • 2 packs bok choy
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, cut in strips
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce / oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Directions

  1. Trim the bottoms off each bundle, cut in half or quarters depending on size. Make each piece as uniform as possible so they cook evenly. Wash thoroughly.
  2. Heat the pan, melt butter and add garlic. I like to add garlic while the butter is cold to infuse better flavor and slowly cook till its toasted.
  3. Once garlic is toasted remove from heat, set aside. Add bok choy and mix the vegetables with a thong making sure that everything is coated with garlic.
  4. Add soy sauce as soon as the vegetables start to wilt. Add a tablespoon of sesame oil.
  5. Transfer on serving plate, top with toasted garlic.

 

Explore the Sharjah Art Museum

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We finally got a chance to explore Sharjah which is the nations heritage capital. The Sharjah Art Museum is home to one of the largest exhibit in the Gulf region featuring Arab artists that made an important mark in the region.

Sharjah Art Museum

A first time for our family of to explore a museum. It was fascinating to watch and listen to the kids interpretation of the painting in front of them. They argued that the artist could have given the art piece a better title. Some had a long description behind the painting while a few of them made us wonder more how they came to be.

Martyrs by Faisal Laibi Sahi (Iraq) is a favorite.

Martyrs Faisal Laibi

Below are some of our favorite pieces. Chloe was drawn to colorful paintings while Kuya V liked landscapes and portraits. The visit definitely fueled the interest to explore more of Sharjah.

Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum
Sharjah Art Museum

Entrance to the museum is free and guided tour is available upon request. For more information, visit the Sharjah Art Museum website.

 

 

School Memory Keeper

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Our kids have grown taller and so much wiser as we bid farewell to another school year. They also have to say goodbye to special people who have helped shaped their personality, the Teachers.

I found the perfect way to preserve school memories and very special graduation gift as well!

school memory keeper

Mel of More Organised shared the idea of gathering messages from teachers and have them write it on your kid’s favorite book. You, the parent will do this each year at the end of school year. It will be ideal if you can start this as early as nursery or baby daycare.

I completely forgot about it last term, thankfully Harkee of As They Grow posted about it on her IG stories at the last week of Chloe’s school.  Late at night, I crammed looking for a hard bound  book with a lot of blank pages.

school memory keeper

Luckily, I have a hard bound copy of  “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!” by Dr. Suess. Still need to do this memorabilia for my eldest,  a reminder has been scheduled in our calendar.

How do you start?

1. Choose a book preferably hard bound with plenty of blank space for the teachers to write on. Books like “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” from Dr. Suess are famous for this purpose.

2. Write a letter to the teachers explaining what the book is for. Make sure you mention when you intend to get it back.

3. Send the book during the last 2 week of school term. I packaged ours in a sealed envelop and ask the office to hand it the teacher.

 

Visit and follow As They Grow and More Organised for ideas on memory keeping. If you’re in the UAE, Pretty Paper Studio is a good place to buy all the materials you need.

 

Lunch Box Recipe: Chicken Quinoa Meatballs

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Quinoa is high and protein and the only plant-base super food that contains 9 amino acids in one product.

So.. I find sneaky opportunities to add quinoa to any dish – fried rice, chicken porridge,  and now MEATBALLS!

Chicken Quinoa Meatballs

My kids squirmed at the sight of quinoa because it tastes weird. I declare this a #MomWin because the little humans I feed did not complain at all.

I am making a big batch to freeze to keep me sane on a lazy day.

Chicken Quinoa Meatballs

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Inspired by the recipe of Kates Carlata

Baked Chicken Quinoa Meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 kg ground chicken
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp all spice powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic paste
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

 

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 180C. Grease baking dish with oil.
  2. In a bowl, mix quinoa, bread crumbs, all spice, turmeric, salt, black pepper and garlic paste. Mixture should be on the salty side at this point because we still need to add ground chicken.
  3. Add ground chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce and egg to your spice mixture. Form 1 ball and fry for you to taste. Adjust taste according to your liking.
  4. Form mixture into balls. Place on greased pan close to one another but not touching.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.  

*My husband thinks a bit more of salt is needed, I liked it the way it is. As suggested above, fry a small batch to adjust taste to your liking.

*Serve plain, on pasta or drizzle with your favorite sauce. I will server meatballs with some  teriyaki sauce and mashed potato in a few days.

Go watch! La Perle by Dragone

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Last month, we had the opportunity to watch La Perle at Al Habtoor City. It was AMAZING! well more than amazing really, no photo or video you see online will do any justice to what the show has to offer. If you are clueless on what it is, read up!

La Perle by Dragone

is the first permanent show in the region, produced by cultural creative company Dragone, directed by the legendary artistic director Franco Dragone and brought to Dubai by the Al Habtoor Group. La Perle is a live entertainment, taking place in a tailor-made aqua theatre.

So many things are happening in the show, don’t dare blink or you will end up missing something. One moment someone is walking on the ceiling then you will notice another performer gracefully dancing at the corner.

Aqua Theatre

The stage gets flooded and dry in a few seconds. I was scared that performers might fall in the pool while doing their routine. At one point, it was raining!

More snippets of the show can be seen on my Instagram highlights, here.

And more on our channel.

La Perle Fun Facts

Dragone is a cultural creation company founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Franco
Dragone, in La Louvière, Belgium. Today one of the world’s most sought-after artistic
directors, he is renowned for having invented a new genre in the 1980’s and 90’s. The
shows he created during his early days (Saltimbanco, Quidam, Mystère, Alegria, O)
forever changed the face of live entertainment in Las Vegas and, decades later, these
shows still receive nightly standing ovations.

La Perle has 65 artists with special skills, hailing from different countries. They can be seen diving from a height of 25 metres.

During the duration of the show, 3 scuba divers are present under water to ensure the safety of the artists.

The show lasts approximately 90 minutes without intermission.

The Family Pack

La Perle has introduced a new family package that will make it much more affordable for the whole family to watch the show.  The Family Pack provide an exclusive discount on tickets for 4-10 people.

Tickets don’t come cheap, the best offer for a family of four like ours can cost as low as AED 1260 for the Silver seats. Kids as young as 2 years old are welcome, it provides entertainment to all age group.  Also, a rare occurence is that PHOTOGRAPHY and taking videos without flash is allowed.

Consider watching La Perle to celebrate a special occasion. We are definitely watching the show again.

To check out more details on the packages visit La Perle’s website.

Ticket bookings:

Visit http://www.laperle.com, or go through the dedicated Box Office: 800 LAPERLE (800
517373)/+971 4 437 0123, boxoffice@laperle.com or via PlatinumList.com.

The show takes place twice a night, five days a week. Performances run from Tuesday to Friday at 7:00pm and 9:30pm, and Saturday at 4pm and 7pm, so there’s a show for everyone!

 

Disclaimer: Our family was invited to watch La Perle. All views and opinios are my own. 

 

Essential Oils – Fab or Fad?

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I consider myself skeptic to ways that claims to be the “solution” to everyday issues. Growing up, my mindset was if you have issues with your health, you should go see a doctor and have yourself examined then finally go home with medicines prescribed to you.

However, this all changed when I became a mom, the instinct to protect my child from what could possibly hurt him kicked in. Enrolled myself to a Lamaze class to prepare my body for natural birth, consumed organic products and had my mind set to breastfeeding my child. Well, not everything went according to plan – both kids born via CS, I was on bed rest for a whole month, crazy nausea until the day I gave birth; breastfeeding was painful and I was only able to produce good amount of milk on the 3rd month; cloth diapers – which I still believe is economical and ecologically a sound choice; baby wearing and going all organic for the food my kids consume. Going “all natural” is not easy.

I eventually gave in to chicken nuggets and the likes. A much convenient path.

Then, a health scare happened last May 2016 where I found myself a frequent visitor of the hospital’s emergency room. It was a very difficult time because it was just us, Daddy took a charge of the home front while I stay in the hospital until the doctors examine what was wrong. The solution was for me to undergo a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to remove my gallbladder and an Endoscopy to remove a stone from my bile duct. Went home with strict instructions to make better choices.

Then, the kids seemingly endless and recurring bout of respiratory issues which always worsen at the beginning of each school year. I find myself going home with at least 5 kinds of medicine for each kid every time we see our pediatrician. A cycle I want to end.

I have to make better choices.

My cousins back in the Philippines have been sharing some changes in their daily routine – diffusing essential oils and making oil blends that they massage on my nephews and nieces. I bought some bottles of essential oils readily available in the stores here in Dubai which they have suggested to improve my kids respiratory.

It did have good effect on us because we have better sleep and the kids usual snotty nose has did not need any medication. But when I started reading how it was sourced and produced, the information was vague. The bottles sat on our cupboard almost forgotten.

Good friend and fellow mommy blogger, Sheila of ABandMe let me experience her collection of essential oils when I expressed that I have been having sleep problem because of my stiff neck. This all happened casually when our daughters had a playdate. We left with sample bottles of essential oils she wanted us to try.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZQOvEXnCLR/

Within the two weeks of using the samples Sheila gave me, I noticed that my kids did not complain of stuffy nose at dawn and we had better quality of sleep. Even with just 5 hours of sleep I woke feeling fully rested like I completed 10 hours of deep sleep.

essential oils dubai

We have been using essential oils since September 2016 and there is no stopping me from incorporating it on our daily life. Kids have been looking forward to our oil bonding where a stroke a blend of oils across their spine and in their tippy toes. My husband requests (demands) that I diffuse oils for bedtime. Our pediatrician is happy that the kids have a stronger immune system and is happy to send us home with instructions to drink lots of water, eat healthy and just use medicine when I see that they really need it.

Is it fab or fad?

While essential oil seem like a fad because a lot of people are talking about it, I now understand.  A person who experience something that have positively affected them, you have the natural urge to share it oh so passionately. My friends can attest to this, I have been sharing my oils to almost every one I meet.

My family have been enjoying the fabulous benefits of essential oils.  Let me know if you want to know more, you have found a happy “oily mama” here.

It would be my pleasure to walk with you in this oily journey. Use my referral code 12771973 or click here.

How to make a Fairy Lantern

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This month the PPS Design Team will create projects with HOPE as a theme.

My kids believe in fairies and making wishes. I do too. I want to keep that magic of hope burning inside them until they grow old and have kids of their own.

The kids really liked the idea of having their own fairy lanterns. Their very own fairy to watch over them and whisper their hopes and dreams before they sleep at night.

DIYFairyLantern

You need few materials and most of it is already available in your existing craft supply. All you need is a little imagination and the easy steps you will find at the Pretty Paper Studio blog.

DIY Fairy Lantern

I really hope that the easy crafts we make will inspire you to do crafting with your kids. Once you’re done, make sure to tag our social media handles @PPSUAE and @cuddlesandcrumbs with the hashtags #ppsuae #prettypaperstudio #madewithppsuae.