Cuddles and Crumbs

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Lunch Box Recipe: Carrot and Apple Oat Cookies

Published by Abigail

My children are not big fans of eating vegetables and fresh fruits. One of the creative ways to make them consume fruits and vegetables is by making smoothie, ice cream or hiding them in some dish.

Sometimes, knowing that some vegetables are part of a dish I prepare turns them off. Besides giving dish funny names, sneaking in vegetables is one of the best ways to get them eat something they swore to hate.

Chloe swore that apples makes her sick and oatmeal looks yucky. So when I found the recipe that would disguise two food she dislikes, I just needed to give it a go. It is like chocolate chip cookies only healthier.

I slightly change the original recipe from Super Healthy Kids because I ran out of honey and my bunch are not big fans of coconut oil smell.

This is a soft cookie so would be perfect for your toddlers as well. I have been packing them as a treat for the kids, definitely going to be staple healthy snack in our house.

#LetsMakeLunchFun and healthy for our family. Join in the fun and use the hashtag in all your Instagram lunchbox photos.

Carrot & Apple Oat Cookies

Difficulty: easy
Print

carrot-apple-oat-cookies-coverphoto

Ingredients

· 2 cups All Purpose Flour

· 1 cup Quick cooking Oat

· 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

· 1/4 tsp Baking Soda

· 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

· 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

· 1 large Egg

· 1/3 cup Butter, melted

· 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

· 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

· 1 cup Carrots, grated

· 1 cup Apple, grated *I use red apples

· 1 banana, mashed

· 1/3 cup Chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl mix together all dry ingredients: flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.

3. In another bowl mix all wet ingredients: beaten eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract and stir well. Add this mixture to the bowl with dry ingredients and mix until well combined.

4. Now add grated carrot, grated apple, mashed banana and chocolate chips on dough mix, stir until everything is well mixed together.

5. Use ice cream scooper to make similar size cookies or two tablespoons to shape cookie dough into 1 inch sized balls. I also made slightly smaller balls to fit in our lunch boxes. Place each on the baking sheet and press slightly with a fork.

6. Bake in the oven for 13-15 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Science is Fun at Caboodle

Published by Abigail

We found ourselves spending a fun weekend at Caboodle, first was at Dubai Mall branch for Freaky Friday.

Caboodle’s Freaky Friday is a monthly themed activity where children ages 18 months to 8 years old gets the opportunity to explore and discover a topic thru play. For the month of October it is all about science themed crafts and activities.

Under the supervision of a friendly Caboodle staff, kids got to work on fun science experiments – How to make slime, Lava lamp and Ocean bottle.

Mo of Curiosity Lab showed more fun science activities much to the kids delight. LittleMiss Chloe was so interested that she volunteered!

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Science activities with Curiosity Lab was the highlight that Friday night.

For more information on Caboodle’s future events, click here.

* We were guest’s of Caboodle, Dubai Mall for this event.

Bento Lunchbox Menu – October 3 to 6

Published by Abigail

Hooray for Thursday!

We had another long weekend this week to celebrate Islamic New Year. It was nice to have an extra day to just spend time with my bunch. I was having a rough week being a Mama, making some changes now to improve things around the house.

Here is what I pack for the kids school lunch.

October is Kuya V’s birthday month so I am packing something extra special for him this month. This week though I forgot to take photos of Chloe’s box.

Monday – October 3: Chicken garlic tikka for our mains with rice and fruits. I will post a recipe next week.

Tuesday – October 4: Vegetable Hakka noodles, siomai and Carrot Apple Oat Cookies.

Wednesday – October 5: Chloe’s class has “healthy Wednesday’s” where teachers ask parents to pack a specific food, it was cheese sandwich for them this week. We have chicken lettuce sandwich for Vierte.

Thursday – October 6: Something quick and healthy today for both kids, banana roll-ups packed with fruits on the side.

I am inviting you to use #LetsMakeLunchFun hashtag on Instagram

Let’s pack healthier lunch food for our family.

Bento Lunchbox Recipe: Potato Fish Cakes

Published by Abigail

I absolutely do not like wasting food, any left-overs no mater how small is stored on the fridge for future use. This is exactly what made up most of the ingredients for our Potato Fish Cake which the kids get to have for school lunch at school.

In case you are wondering what I do with all the left-over cut outs from the vegetable and fruit cut outs, I gather all bits then store them in the fridge and add them to our meatballs, soup, pasta and salad. No waste, right?!

Here’s how I packed fish cakes for the kids lunchbox.

Use #LetsMakeLunchFun on all your lunch box posts and join in the fun of packing healthy meals for our family.

Let me know if you give this recipe a go.

Potato Fish Cakes

Difficulty: easy
Print

Ingredients

· 2 cups Mashed Potato

· 1 cup Fish, cooked and shredded

· ¼ cup Carrots, grated

· 1 tbsp Spring onions, chopped

· 1 Egg

· 1 tbsp Flour

· 1 tsp salt

· 1 tsp pepper

Procedure

To make mashed potatoes: Prepare a pot filled half way through with salted water, once boiling add peeled and chop potatoes. Bring pot to boil again till potatoes are cooked. Drain potatoes on a colander and place back on the pot to let steam dry off. Mash potatoes and set aside.

Prepare left-over fish: shred fish meat and discard any bones. Alternatively you can steam fish fillets.

In a separate bowl, combine mashed potato, shredded fish, carrots, spring onions, flour, salt and pepper. Beat egg and add to the mixture. Mix well.

Dust you table and hands with flour. Use an ice cream scooper to scoop a mix, shape with your hand and slightly flatten with your palm. Chill patties in the fridge for 30 minutes. If you plan to freeze them, you can do so this time by wrapping them in a cling film.

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, fry your fish cakes about 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy. Drain oil on a colander then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Make sure fish cakes are at room temperature before you pack them in your lunch box.

Unlimited fun at FabyLand

Published by Abigail

We had a fun Thursday afternoon at the launch of the newest indoor attraction to open at Dubai Festival City – FabyLand.

The new FabyLand offers ‘Futuristic’ fun for all the family with an array of amusement rides, attractions and games to play on with friends and family. Offering the latest technology across 75,000 sq ft, the entertainment centre has 15 major rides, a MyTown area for kids to play and learn and more than 100 game machines, making it one of the largest family entertainment centre in Dubai for children aged three and up.

Vierte has set his eyes on the claw machines and won several toys for his sister. He has been long obsessed to beat the game to Chloe’s delight which is his biggest fan. LittleDude is his latest recruit, who did well and won several toys as well.

Fabyland has something fun for every one with over 15 fun rides, novelty game machines and soft play area. They can offer discounted rates for school trips and four party packages for more unlimited fun.

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The place is so big that it does not feel crowded at all. Family with strollers have enough space to move around, they have a snack bar and sitting area for tired parents.

We are definitely going back for more family fun.

Thank you for a fun day, FabyLand!

I want the happy Mama back

Published by Abigail

Lately, I have been feeling overwhelmed with all the things that needs my attention. Meals to prepare. House to clean. School work to be submitted.

Merely thinking of them makes me tired, that I end up just sulking the day away in self-pity.

I have worn the stay-at-home-mom crown for eight years now and I am happy with the decision of devoting my time and energy to be a homemaker. I wake up every day to be the best me for my family.

But then…

Walking the path to be the best mom, best playmate, best cook and best partner in life can take up so much of a person’s energy.

Feeling all these has turned me to a Mom I do not want my kids to have. Irritated mom who easily gets upset. I do not and cannot somehow find the time to give them my undivided attention.

Overwhelmed.

“Do not mind the mess, and get some rest.” You may suggest.

I have heard that suggestion numerous times but then I cannot really take a good rest or have some quality me time when I know that all the mess is just there waiting for me.

“Just hire cleaners, then” That’s a good suggestion.

But.

I feel so guilty employing extra help in the house. Hiring cleaners means another cost added to our finances. For me, it feels like I am wasting my husband’s hard earn money.

I feel like I have failed as a homemaker. One of the reasons why I am staying at home is to manage our home, right?!

Tired.

I already noticed that my attitude towards the kids have changed how they open up to me. My once enthusiastic boy is now scared of telling me things. He would now start any conversation with “Mama, do not get upset ok, I just want to tell you that…”

I have to let go of the guilty feeling and just let go of unnecessary stress. Soon.

I want to bring back the happy mama my family deserve to have.

Bento Lunch Box Menu – September 18 to 22

Published by Abigail

Thursday is a happy day.

Last day of work and school for us here in the United Arab Emirates. I am always looking forward to weekend and spend quality time with my bunch. Who doesn’t?

The week started with me coming down with a flu. Kids were also adjusting to waking up early again. Vierte needs to be up and eating breakfast at 5:30 am out the door by 6:20 am for school bus pick-up.

Yes. I am happy it is finally the weekend.

Here is what I pack for the kids school lunch.

Sunday – September 18: We have beef kofta as the main meal for both kids.

September 19 – Monday: Chicken Tenders and rice. Marinated chicken breasts the night before and fried the following morning. I will post recipe next week.

September 20 – Wednesday: Tuna Sandwich for Vierte and Cream Cheese Sandwich for Chloe.

September 21 – Wednesday: Apple Cake and Pasta Arrabbiata for Vierte. Baked red apple cake the night before and prepared pasta in the morning. Pasta preparation made easy with Barilla Arrabbiata ready made sauce.

September 22 – Thursday: Apple Cake and Pasta Arrabbiata for Vierte. Baked red apple cake the night before and prepared pasta in the morning. Pasta preparation made easy with Barilla Arrabbiata ready made sauce.

Join in the fun of bento lunch box packing with #LetsMakeLunchFun hashtag on Instagram

Sunrise at Jebel Jais Mountain

Published by Abigail

We recently had a week long holiday here in Dubai to celebrate Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. That was one week of no school for the kids and 5 days off for Daddy C. Our plan was to stay home and setup Christmas decorations.

Carla of MyYellowbells invited us to join her family for a road trip to Jebel Jais Mountain. So we did.

Four cars convoyed to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah where UAE’s highest mountain is located. Jebel Jais Mountain stand tall at approximately 1900m above sea level and promises a scenic and rustic view of sunrise. We left Al Qusais at 3:30 am and arrived at 5:40 am, just before sunrise. No lights on the zigzag road going up so make sure your headlights are working fine and drive slowly.

We stopped at the last camp site only to find out from other campers that the trail going up to the highest peak is close due to road construction. There was no available signs (as far as we know) on where to stop for a hike up, we drove back down to a less crowded camp site, while the childless group drove further to look for the trail.

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All four kids entertained themselves by throwing rocks near the edge of the cliff, spotting wild goats and searching for that one of a kind rock.

Both kids were so proud of themselves for waking up before the sun. It was a joy to see them enjoy nature and appreciate the beauty of our second home.

Families gathered in awe as we watched the sun rays peaked on the mountain side. Breathtaking! We were all in awe of God’s creation and greeting each stranger we see a good morning.

The view, serenity and beauty was just really breathtaking. Photos don’t do justice, you just really have to go and see it for yourself. If it was this amazing at sunrise, I’m sure sunset will also take our breath away.

We need to go back for sunset and sleep overnight. Several “stops” with camp sites are available for guests to enjoy, toilets were also available and we even saw a store (it was not open at when we arrived at 5am) at the last stop.

This is definitely one family road trip you should do while in the UAE. Make sure you pack plenty of food and water, jackets since it is colder up in the mountain and make a stop at the last gasoline station to check your car, refill and for toilet visit.