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Samsung Launching People

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Did you wake up today with a brilliant idea? An idea you know in your mind and heart, it will be the next big thing.

I have been a stay at home mom for 5 years now, some days I think that I am stuck to this mommy routine and there is nothing left for me, but I know deep in my heart that I am everything to these two little people, who I care for 24/7.

A light bulb moment once sparked while preparing Little Miss lunch and assisting V on his homework,the idea got me all excited. Why in the world did I just think about it now! I’m sure it will be the next big thing!

Then, reality slowly creeps in, questions & doubt slowly clouds my thoughts.

How in the world will it work? Will someone even care to listen? And will they even believe in it, believe in me?

Then, after having a cup of coffee, I (you) shrug it off as silly.

DON’T!

Rephrasing what Dr. Seuss’s said “A dream or idea is something, no matter how small.”

Samsung has a new project called “Launching People” which gives each person a chance to be heard. A platform where we are given a chance to present our idea no matter how small or silly it may seem.

Samsung’s Launching People mentorship competition might just be the big break you are waiting for! Competition has been extended till March 15, 2014, submit your ideas via Launching People’s Facebook app in English and Arabic.

 

You have a chance to work with four mentors: Reema Al Banna (Fashion), Dino Varkey (Education), Mohammed Saeed Harib (Invention), and Fadi Malas (Start Up).

Don’t hesitate.

Get ready and turn that spark into one bright light!
Read more about Samsung’s Launching People here.

 

We all have passion & dreams.
Share your idea here and Samsung can help you make it happen!

 

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

Wheat Free Snacking

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I can’t remember the last time I shared a recipe here. That doesn’t mean that I’ve been slacking on kitchen duties, I do have 3 people living with me who are constantly in need of something to eat.

Grace introduced me to wheat free world, I tired doing it for 3 weeks and was really happy with how my body reacted to wheat elimination. No sudden headache, and didn’t feel bloated or lazy are some of the noticeable changes during the 3 weeks. I’ve been trying to not indulge in any food with wheat, which is a hard for me since I love to snack on bread and crackers. To solve this snacking problem, I’ve been baking wheat free goodies.

Here are some of the wheat free recipes I’ve tried and really enjoyed.

 

 

1) Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut from Minamalist Baker

Almond Meal Chocolate Chip cookies with Coconut

These are crunchy and chewy. The LittleOne liked them as well and we ate a dozen cookies in two days.

2) Carrot Coconut Breakfast Loaf from Anjas Food 4 Thought

Carrot Coconut Breakfast Loaf

Anja’s recipe use for cranberries and pistachios, I didn’t have any. Replaced both with blueberries and walnuts. Mix of nuts, dates and blueberry elevated yummy levels of this wheat free bread. I’m going to make another batch.

 

Nanan

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I breastfed V for exactly two years and I am still breastfeeding LittleMiss C. Both of them refer to breastfeeding, breast and milk (from mommy) as “nanan,” a word we adapted when V was about a week old  which was suggested by Lola Alma.

LittleMiss C in her 18 months only had “nanan” in a bottle when I left her in the care of Lola Let and she didn’t liked it at all. Big brother V didn’t see her sister drink from a bottle and for him, babies like her sister only get milk from Mommy’s “nanan”.

Last week, V’s exam results and papers are back, his answer to one question on the PSHE subject caught my attention. It made me laugh and really proud.

Nanan

Question: When I was a baby I drink in a  Nanan  

I asked him why he didn’t answer baby bottle. He simply replied “Mama, Chloe and I only drink in your nanan. Please tell teacher that I’m correct, I think she doesn’t know that “nanan” is drinking milk from you.”

Saddens my heart how society expects all children feed from a bottle, when it is natural for our infants to feed from us, their Mama.

I shared the photo above on Breastfeeding Q&A Dubai UAE facebook group, this made all breastfeeding mama’s really proud.

The school/teacher expects children to answer question base on what is written on the books they have provided. I am meeting teachers next week, we will discuss and educate them what “nanan” is.

*BF mama’s have also pointed out poor grammar used in the test questions.

Family Fun Day @ Al Tamimi Stables

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We spent a lovely Friday at Al Tamimi Stables located in Sharjah with family friends Mio (ThirdCultureFamily) and Grace (SandierPastures).

LittleMan V only knew about the days activity when he woke up that morning, and was anxiously waiting for his Daddy C to come home from a basketball game. Too excited indeed that both kids can’t contain themselves to sit and eat breakfast.

We drove for 30 minutes and finally reached our destination.

Sharing some photos:

Bouncy Castles at Al Tamimi Stables

Central area where families gather to enjoy the sun, children ran and bounce in the castles like there was no tomorrow.

Al Tamimi Stables is a 30 acres of lush farm area with over 500 domestic and exotic animals. Sports facilities, stables, petting zoo and cafe are among other things that will keep everyone busy.

Falcon show at Al Tamimi Stables

Basic ‘Falconry’ class – did you know that the falcon is the fastest animal!

Falcon at Al Tamimi Stables        LittleMan V and Falcon at Al Tamimi Stables

LittleMiss C saw the Falcon and just screamed “tweet tweet…birdie” while LittleMan V was so fascinated that he asked so many questions and was the first one to fall in line to touch and take a photo.

Petting Zoo Al Tamimi Stables

Children with the assistance of volunteers, staff and parents had a chance to hold and feed animals at the petting zoo.

Getting creative at Al Tamimi Stables

Children explored creative side of things, making puppet sticks, coloring pages, and painting pots after which they get to choose a plant to bring home.

Potted Plants Al Tamimi Stables

Flower pots now add joy to our home.

AlTamimiPassportGuide

At the end of each activity, children get a stamp and win titles of Green Hero, Creativity Hero, Sports Hero, Horse Hero and Animal Care Hero.

LittleMan V didn’t get to complete the stamps, and missed riding a pony that he requested that we go back again.

"snow" Al Tamimi Stables

I know for sure that LittleMiss C and B just want to play with “snow” under the sun.

A huge Thanks to Grace for tagging us along and Al Tamimi Stables staff for making that Friday a truly fun family day.

For more information on the activities at Al Tamimi Stables, visit the website.

Kidzania presents First Kinder Chocolate Factory for Kids

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My LittleOnes and I were invited to the opening of the first Kinder Chocolate Factory for kids at Kidzania, Dubai Mall.

Kinder Chocolate Factory Opening

We registered and were ushered to go inside the theatre and wait for the event to start. Inside the theatre, the most amazing balloon artist I’ve met kept the kids and adults in awe with his balloon creations – he made Vierte a jetpack and Chloe a penguin. We also enjoyed munching on chocolate chip cookies, red Jell-O, chicken spring rolls and fruit juice.

Balloon Twisting & JellO at Kinder Joy Chocolate Factory

The event started with speeches from Mr. Giovanni Martini, VP Marketing for Ferrero Middle East and Kidzania Governor, Mr. Francois Yves Pain. A key to finally open the world’s first Kinder Chocolate factory was presented which only means “let the fun begin!”

Kinder Joy Chocolate Factory Opening

Groups of six children at a time will be able to experience the simulation of chocolate production for the duration of 20 minutes.

KinderChocolateKidFactory

Work at Kinder Chocolate Factory started off with wearing uniforms and introduction class on the ingredients use to make a yummy kinder chocolate.

Kinder Chocolate Factory Simulation

Children get a chance to manipulate machines and ingredients. At the end of every session, each child receives a Kinder chocolate bar, 10 Kidzo salary for their work and a souvenir chocolate factory ID.

Kinder Joy Chocolate Factory

We stayed a bit longer after the event, KidZania truly is a wonderful fun place! As in, you really need a full day for you child to experience each establishment that promotes the physical and intellectual growth of our children. I will share more about our experience on another post.

HK Trip: Tian Tan Buddha

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*This is a part of a series of posts about our 2013 vacation in Hong Kong”

Last year we enjoyed a 5 days vacation at Hong Kong with Daddy C’s side of the family. It was a first family vacation, all of Daddy C’s siblings were present along with kids and spouses which really made Mama Let (MIL) very happy.

I have already blogged on the food we enjoyed along Nathan Road, where our hotel was located.

Tita Crist (Daddy C’s younger sister) planned our HK itinerary, every detail of it – where to buy our Octopus card and what train or bus to take to reach our destination.

Octopus card is a handy card you can use to get your way around Hong Kong. Almost all means of public transportation accepts this card. Once you reach airport don’t buy the card one of the vending machines, instead look for the special kiosk near the exit to the express train and buy your card, much more cheaper and easier for tourists you just need to show your passport and before you leave they will refund your unused card value.

Visit to Tan Tian Buddha, famously known as Big Buddha is the 1st must see tourist spot scheduled on our 2nd day. The plan was to ride Ngong Ping cable car but the weather did not permit us so we took the New Lanto Bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Centre, ride will take about 45 minutes.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit.

Tian Tan Buddha Hong Kong

The weather was gloomy but the view was still breathtaking.

HK Big Buddha

Tian Tan Buddha took 12 years to complete and was finally erected in 1993. It is sitting 34 meters high facing north to look over the Chinese people and deliver a blessing to all.

HK Big Buddha steps

To get a closer look we had to climb 268 steps with some pit stops to rest and take photos. Be prepared and wear a comfortable shoes.

HK Tan Tian Buddha Visit

Stores selling snacks and refreshment is available in the area but by this time we were looking forward to eat a hearty lunch. Yes, that’s the whole group (9 adults, 3 babies and 2 kids) minus 2 men taking our photos.

HKBigBuddha

Adorable LittleMiss C all through out the day refuse to sit in her stroller or be carried using her Boba carrier, and also refuse to go to her Aunts. I was definitely tired but one smile and I just gave in.

Dubai Miracle Garden

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V’s exam week is finally over and we all need a breather, something new and definitely not inside a mall.

The weather now is just perfect to be spent outdoors. Daddy C suggested that we drive to Dubai Miracle Garden since we haven’t been to the place yet.

Sharing some photos:

Dubai Miracle Garden

It was Friday afternoon and the place was packed with tourists and locals. We’d like to visit the garden on a weekday and enjoy a quiet morning appreciating all the flowers in bloom.

Dubai Miracle Garden 3661

LittleMan V had fun running around, smelling the flowers and teaching LittleMiss C the colors. She had fun copying whatever her big brother was doing.

DubaiMiracleGarden689

LittleMiss C and her awkward picture pose.

LittleMiss C at Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden has about 45 million flowers in bloom, presented in stunning topiary designs of pyramids, flower beds, and Burj Khalifa. Flower designs will change every year so returning visitors will have something to look forward too every season.

Dubai Miracle Garden BurjKhalifa3662

Dubai Miracle Garden House

Food stalls are available for you to grab a quick bite, but I do suggest that you don’t visit with an empty stomach and it’s always a good idea to bring your water bottle from home. Entrance fee for adults and children above 3 years old is Dhs 20.

Happy Healthy New Year!

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I believe we are in the 3rd week of January and this is my first post for 2014. Oh dear, days go by so fast this month will soon be over. I’ve been really busy with Mommy duties since the holidays, V’s 1st term exam for all his 10 subjects is happening this week, having a child in school brings up parenting levels (& anxiety) a higher notch and believe but it feels like I’m also taking the exam.

 Fruit Platter

MyNappytales family promised that for the year 2014  we will start eating more fruits everyday. Daddy C and I want to be a good example to the kids. A fruit platter now serves a centerpiece of our dining table – since we always see it and available within reach we were able to consume all the fruits (photo above) within 3 days.

BerryPlatter

Both LittleMiss and LittleMan can sit down and consume a bowl of sweet strawberries while watching movies and so I’ve decided to add another berry to the list – a raspberry.

We bought a good fruit supply at Dubai Fruit and Vegetable market. Quality of fruits sold here are way much better than the one’s sold in the grocery, this is specially true for Rambutan and Mangosteen. We bought all of our stash from Fresh Fruits Company.

  • Strawberry (250g) – 3.50 AED
  • Raspberry – 16 AED
  • SweetCorn (4pcs in 1 pack) – 13 AED
  • 1 bag baby carrots – 4 AED
  • Rambutan – 13.50 AED
  • Mangosteen – 12 AED
  • Mesculin Salad Mix – 7 AED

 

Happy New Year! Let us all start eating healthy.