I’m really sad to see Dillon & Kaith always bitten by the mosquitoes, sometimes it got so red & swollen and when they scratch it, it’s even worst as it would leave”5 cents” mark on the skin. 

Recently, I started looking around for preventive method actively, I’d like to get a product that could effectively protects Dillon & Kaith from mosquitoes and then I came across Bugslock, a product made in Korea.

“Bugslock is a mosquito controlling product to repel the mosquitos with a 100% natural aroma. It is a creative and band shaped product, which prevents mosquitos from approaching by wearing it on the wrist or ankle, where the item emits an aroma that the insect can’t stand.

As it is small in design and easy to carry, it is usable at anytime. Plus, it is a safe product, which can be used even by infants, in other words, all age groups can use it because it is made of non-toxic substances.

Ideal for climbing, fishing, camping, hunting, go on picnic, have a garden party, play outdoor activities (golf, baseball, soccer), or farmers, BugsLock protects you from mosquitoes. Just hang on the baby stroller or wear it on a child’s ankle/wrist. It’ll protect your kids from mosquitoes.”

Anybody heard of this product and mind to share if it’s effective?

The product sounds quite convincing and it looks trendy too, comes in 5 different colours and could be worn as accesssory.

After checking with a blogger friend of mine who stays in Korea, she said that the product works quite well for her kids. After seeing the facts & figures on the Bugslock official website, I’m quite convinced too.

Since the product is not so expensive and I’ll be going to Seoul in next 2 weeks, I’ve decided to give it a try and maybe will also bring back some to sell in my online store, it’ll cost around RM12 – 13 per piece after conversion. Anybody interested to try too?? Find out more on http://store.karenyiau.com

• 22 Comments

I love to eat fried food but I do not like the oily part (who does?) and I’d prefer to make my own batter than using those instant seasoned flour. This is how I make my own batter:

Ingredients:
Wheat flour, whole egg, iced cold water, salt

Method:
1. Sieve the flour into a big bowl.
2. Break an egg into the center of the flour, and start mixing it evenly with chopsticks in on direction, this will ensure the flour doesn’t lump together.
3. Add in adequate amount of iced cold water gradually into the mixture, and continue to stir it, until a smooth paste is formed.
4. Add in pinch of salt to taste.

The secret here is, add in iced cold water to make the batter, and the batter has to be used immediately. Also, when you deep-fry food, make sure the oil is very hot (this seals in the moisture and flavor), coat the food with batter and after putting it in the wok, reduce to medium heat so that the food is cooked properly without the outer latyer being over-cooked. When deep-fry until golden brown, switch back to high heat (this prevents food from absorbing excessive oil), remove fried food with a strainer, drain off the excessive oil before serving.

I used the batter to make fried chicken pieces and also fried oyster mushroom, it’s so crunchy, tasty and most importantly, less oily too.

• 8 Comments

Dillon is turning 3 this coming December and I’m planning to send him to kindergarten next year where he will enrol in 4 years old class.

Actually I’ve been paying attention to the kindergarten in my area and I’ve already narrow down my search to 2 most decent ones, I visited both on yesterday and got the fees schedule as well.

To be frank, I never realised nowadays the fees for kindergarten kids could be this expensive. These 2 kindergarten that I visited, their fees schedule are as follow:

Reka Kindergarten:
registration: RM50
insurance: RM20
uniform: RM28/set
monthly school fees: RM240
books, phonics, misc: RM340 (half-yearly)

Yu Der Kindergarten:
registration: RM100
insurance: RM20
uniform: RM30/set
monthly school fees: RM330
books, phonics, misc: RM650 (half-yearly)
computer: RM170 (half-yearly)

Frankly speaking, both Kindergarten are very decent but only that kindy B has been established for very long time and has very good reputation, and I like their compound that is so spacious & bright too.

But their half-yearly books & misc fees being RM650 (Yu Der) really shocks me big time, the teacher said the books are from Singapore but still, it’s almost50% more than Kindy A! I wonder, does it really matter what study materials our kids use? And computer class for 4 years old kid, I’m also not sure if it’s necessary (but it’s compulsory in Yu Der)

All experienced parents, mind to share your insights? What other things I should look out for when scouting for a kindergarten?

As for myself, I just want a decent environment for Dillon to play, to do some studies, learn some good values and get to interact with other kids as well.

• 20 Comments

Have you been giving any supplements / vitamins to your kids? I guess most of your answers would be “yes”.

I have only started giving Dillon supplements when he was around 1.5 years old, this vitamin drop was recommended by my sister, who has been giving to her 3 kids since years ago and it has improve their appetite & health.

It’s called the Kawai Kanyu Drop C20 (it has many other variants but I’ve been buying this one only), made in Japan. It taste like jelly beans and hence Dillon love chewing it; each drop contains not only VitaminC but also A & D2.

It cost around RM54 – 60 (contains 180 drops) and can be found in some chained pharmacy (like guardian/caring), & also some independent pharmacy.

Well so far I think it’s quite good for Dillon as he has a very good appetite to almost any food, even vegetables. As we all know eating a balance diet which includes a great variety of food will lead to good health so I think it’s vital for our kids to have a good appetite so they can absorb various nutirents & minerals from the food source, after all, vitamins is just supplement.

[This is strictly info sharing based on my own views and I'm not promoting any brands or products here.]

• 5 Comments

Dillon was coughing about a month ago and I have tried out this Su Ding children cough syrup recommended by the sinsei at one Chinese Medical Hall near my house, sinsei also advised to accompany it with the “hou zou san” to clear his flam more effectively and true enough, Dillon has stop coughing and recovered within 2-3 days. Same applies to Kaith who was coughing in past 2 weeks, I gave her the balance of the cough syrup & ‘hou zou san” as well, she recovered pretty fast too.

The good thing I like about this cough syrup is that, it is chinese herbs base and thus, children won’t feel dizzy even after taking it; but of course most importantly, it works for my kids.

[This is strictly info sharing based on my own views and I'm not promoting any brands or products here.]

• 6 Comments

Ingredients:
Turnips (sengkuang), Dried cuttelfish (Ju Hu), Black mushroom, Chicken meat, Garlic

Method:
1. Shred the turnips.
2. Cut black mushroom (pre-soaked) & chicken meat into long, thin stripes.
3. Heat the wok with oil, add in some chopped garlic and fry till fragrant.
4. Throw in chicken meat, mushroom & ju hu and stir for 5 minutes, add in some water and toss for another 5 minutes.
5. Add in dark soy sauce (optional) for the desired colour, and light soy sauce to taste. Cover wok until the gravy has thickens.
6. Add in a bit of sesame oil before serving, it’ll smells good.
Best served with iceberg lettuce or crunchy butterheads, or you can just eat it as it is.
P/S: It’d be great to add in some shredded carrots and the dish will have a nice combination of colours and will taste better too.

• 7 Comments

It’s not a special dish but I’d like to share about the Chicken Curry paste by Tean’s Gourmet. I have tried their Curry Laksa paste before and it’s so tasty, and this Curry Chicken paste did not disappoints me as well

The method of preparing is as easy as ABC, I just put in chicken pieces, potato cubes, long beans & “tau pok” and stir fry for a while, then I add in the paste, once it’s well mixed I pour in water, cover the wok and let it cook for about 15 minutes. (add in curry leaves to enhance the fragrant)

After that, add in a dash of coconut milk (santan), or if you dislike its creamy taste, you can also substitute with evaporated milk. Then it’s ready to serve.

• 5 Comments

Those who have been following my blog would have known that I manage to let Dillon wean off his pacifier before he turns 2 (read full story here), he has been a pacifier baby since newborn.

Kaith is totally opposite, she refuse pacifier even I offer her and prefers to soothe herself by sucking her fingers, and particularly the middle & ring fingers on the left hand and she’s quite “addicted” to the habit.

She does it when lying on bed, or sitting in the walker:

Even when she is watching TV, or walking:

 
The worst thing is, Dillon gorgor must be thinking it seems fun to suck the fingers and he would also do the same at times, imitating his meimei……..

Ok so now, can anyone share with me on how to make Kaith “wean off” sucking her fingers? Or I should just take it easy & wait for her to outgrown it?

• 16 Comments

Now that Kaith is also walking & running around the house actively like gorgor Dillon, I seriously need to create more spce in the living hall for them to move freely, and safely. Therefore I’ve been doing some spring cleaning over the weekend. There are some baby gear that I’ve decided to either sell off or give away which includes the stroller, walker, spring cot, playpen & a baby cot bed.

Oh well, I know some of you might want to ask: “are you not planning to have #3?” hahaha, got you! I love kids and I really don’t mind to have more, but seriously looking at the financial state now, I really have to put the plan on hold (until further notice, LOL ). Furthermore, having Dillon & Kaith, who are just 19 months apart and constantly so active & talkative (yes, Kaith too! I think it’s a “girl” thing loh), I gotta raise my white flag for time being (maybe forever….:P)

• 17 Comments

On the 1st of August 2008, my own domain is born, after started blogging on blogspot for 1 year & 4 months.

I have merged all my previous blogs on blogspot under one roof now for easier reference & management. As for my photo gallery & online store, they are still hosted on Multiply site but I have created the links on My Photos & My Store, so all are just within a click away.

This is officially my 1st post on this new domain, and there’s still a lot for me to learn on how to make this site look better, and of course a lot of adjustment & tidying work to be done to my previous posts to make them gel with the new layout here.

I hereby welcome all my readers to my new home and I hope you like it and will frequent here to continue supporting me. Cheers. ;^)

• 20 Comments