How to Make First Bento with Your Toddler

Post by MamaFiza on October 29, 2008

moshi-moshi mommies

Wish you were in happy day *hugs*

Today, I’d love to share our moments of making first bento and tips on how to make perfect sushi rice~

Seaweed and vegetables are great for toddlers (and adults!) and since making sushi can be a fun project, it’s a great way to entertain your lil angel and get them to eat healthily.

Lettuce, cucumber slices, crabsticks and carrots slices

Sushi means “vinegar flavored rice”.
It is a simple food that can be prepared with foods we all know and love.
It does not have to involve any raw meats.

Learning how to cook rice and prepare sushi rolls is a window into Japanese culture.

Indeed, it is simply tasty and nutritious

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Below are some of our pictures *alhamdulillah*:

Preparation~

My first tamago!

Wohoo~ Cooling the tamago.

YunaFi-cHan n Tamago *winks*

Me: Guide my kiddies on how to make Maki Roll

KiruaMi-cHan: Making his very first Maki Roll!

Superb job big bro! *yatta*

ReiHi-cHan: making her first Maki Roll! *uh oh*

Splendid job big sis! *kawaii*

Result: Kiddies Bento – Maki Roll + Tamago + Sushi Rice (shapes of bear, heart & star!)

Result: Papa’s Bento – Maki Roll + Tamago + Chicken Teriyaki + Sushi Rice (shapes of bear, heart & star!)

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Here are some tips on “How To Make Perfect Sushi Rice“:

Things You’ll Need:

sushi rice
rice vinegar
sugar
salt
Bento Kits

Step by step guide:

To make great sushi, the fish needs to be fresh, and the rice needs to be sticky.

The following amounts will make about four cups of rice, enough to make several rolls or pieces of sushi nigiri.

2 cups rice: You will need Japanese short-grained white rice, also called japonica rice or sushi rice.
Do not use Malaysian-style long grained rice as it will not turn out well.
Japanese rice has the right amount of starch needed to make the rice glossy and sticky but not mushy or dry.

3-4 tablespoons Japanese rice vinegar: Only use rice vinegar to make sushi rice.
Rice vinegar is a mild vinegar made from fermented rice or rice wine.

2-3 tablespoons sugar: Use plain white sugar to taste.

2 teaspoons salt: You may use table salt, kosher salt or sea salt depending on your preference.

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How to Make Sushi Rice (Gohan):

Step 1: Preparing the Vinegar

Heat the vinegar, sugar and salt in a sauce pan on the stove over medium heat until the sugar and salt are dissolved into the vinegar.
Do not boil the mixture.
Leave sitting off heat until needed.
You can make this portion before or while the rice is cooking.

Step 2: Preparing the Rice

Rinse the rice in cold water.
This will take several minutes and several changes of water.
Rinse the rice until the final change of water runs almost clear.
You can leave the rice to soak in the water for 15 minutes, or let it it sit drained in the strainer for up to an hour.

Step 3: Cooking the Rice

Steam the rinsed rice in an equal amount of water (e.g: 2 cups of rice and 2 cups of water) in a rice cooker or on the stove top following the package’s directions or by bringing to a boil, then cooking over very low heat until the water is evaporated and you are left with lovely sticky rice.

As always when cooking rice on the stove-top, use very low heat after the initial boil and keep the lid on at all times. The trapped steam is what enables the rice to cook.

An optional step is to add a piece of kombu, or dried kelp, to the rice as it cooks to add more flavor. If using the stove-top method, discard the kelp after the initial boil.

Once the rice has finished cooking, it can be left off heat in the pot with the lid on for up to 15 minutes.

For information on rice cookers see Mahalo’s Guide to Rice Cookers and read this review of rice cooker brands.

Step 4: Seasoning the Rice

When the rice has finished cooking, add the vinegar seasoning to the rice. Turn the rice out of the pot and into a non-reactive shallow bowl.

The traditional method uses a wooden container, such as a hangiri.

You want to cool down the rice and add the seasoning at the same time.

Use a tool like a shamoji in a gentle chopping motion to spread out the grains of rice and ensure the seasoning covers every grain.

Some people use a hand-held fan to help in the cooling process.

Tadaa~

Notes:

Use a non-reactive metal or wooden container for the final step of seasoning the rice, as some metals will react with the vinegar and mar the flavor of the rice.

Be careful not to squish the grains of rice together when adding the vinegar mixture. You want to maintain the integrity of the rice grains.

Spreading out the rice makes it cool down faster. This stops the rice cooking in its own heat. To make sushi, the rice should be at about room temperature.

If you are not going to make the sushi right away, cover the seasoned rice with a damp cloth to ensure that it doesn’t dry out.

Never refrigerate sushi rice, as it will get too hard to work with or eat.

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Hopefully you’ll enjoy your “Sushi Day” with your toddlers too!

Gambatte ne mommies

May Allah swt always blessed your day. Amin~

p/s: If you would like to do same activities with your precious toddler and love to get the above items, feel free to email me at littlekittlestore@gmail.com or just click here for details We’ve only got 10 set. Delivery on 15 November 2008.

Filed Under My Fun Homeschool, My Healthy Kitchen | 1 Comment

Toddler’s Japanese Culinary Arts

Post by MamaFiza on October 27, 2008

moshi-moshi mommies

How are you today? Wish you were in great health *hug*

A lil bit pictures update on our latest activity for this week: Toddler’s Japanese Culinary Arts.

From Japan

Our famiri- *family* bento boxes~

I’ll attach new update regarding to how to teach your toddler to make bento and more tips by end of this week *Insya-Allah*

See ya~ *cuddles* May God bless your day mommies!

Filed Under MamaFiza's Blog | Leave a Comment

Piggy Bank: How To Teach Toddler to Save Money

Post by MamaFiza on October 24, 2008

Oyasumi nasai mommies

May you have sweet dream.

Tonight, I love to share tips on money matter *giggles*.

For parents who are committed to a philosophy of frugal living, teaching kids to save money is a top priority.

Money management must be learned *uh oh!*.

Big bro & big sis with Raya’s present from Nek Mi

Teaching toddles to save money isn’t easy, however it’s worth it!. They usually want to spend money they receive immediately.

Often to encourage savings, you may need to show your toddlers the benefits of saving in exaggerated ways. Once they understand the concept you can back off a little.

Piggy bank: Owned by KiruaMi-cHan & ReiHi-cHan

Piggy bank: Owned by YunaFi-cHan & HidE-cHan

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Here are some tips on “How To Teach Toddler to Save Money“:

Things You’ll Need:

Savings Account or Jar
Piggy Bank
Pictures

Step by step guide:

For every dollar your child saves, offer to put in a matching contribution. When they are little, you might be able to match 100%. Once they are older 25% or 50% might be reasonable to encourage them to save.

Step 1 : Open a Savings Account.
Encourage your toddlers to deposit a portion of money he earns into a savings account and track the interest earned on his/her account.

Step 2 : Encourage Them to Set Goals.
If they want to purchase an expensive gift, hang up a drawing of an empty thermometer.
As they save their money, color in the thermometer. They’ll be able to track their progress visually.

Step 3 : Give Non-monetary Savings Rewards.
Young children may not understand that RM 10 tomorrow is better than RM5 today.
Consider rewarding children with things special to them for saving their money: stickers, books, toys, and special outings can be helpful.

Step 4 : Make a Wish List.
Encourage children to identify fun things to spend their money on.
For older children, prioritizing the list can be a helpful challenge.

Step 5 : Display a Picture.
Hang a picture of a wanted item off their wish list on the wall.
If your child is saving for a special purchase, hang up a picture to remind them of what they are working towards.

Step 6 : Save Money in Front of Your Children.
Keep your own piggy bank or deposit money in the bank when you are with your children.
Explain what you are saving for and your children will mimic your behavior.

Step 7 : Help Them Spend Money.
Occasionally, children will get so focused on saving their money, that they won’t spend any money along the way. Help them enjoy their money by spending some on small purchases or surprising them by buying something they’d like.

Notes:

Praise your child for any amount of savings *hugs n kisses!*.

Encourage your child to keep saving even if he wastes his money.

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Don’t forget to try this money project with your toddler!

Gambatte ne

May Allah swt always blessed your family. Amin~

Filed Under My Fun Homeschool | 3 Comments

Field Trip: Camping with Kiddies

Post by MamaFiza on October 22, 2008

Ohayo gozaimasu mommies

Are you and your lil angels looking for something different to do together as a family?

Well actually, you can have lots of fun right in your own backyard by pitching a makeshift tent, roasting marshmallows and sausages, plus snuggling down inside a warm sleeping bag!

It’s easy to plan a camp-out without ever having to leave home.

Last 2 months *oh yes, on my 14 days of confinement weeks ahaha*, we done for a BBQ and backyard camping field trip

*thanks to the King a.k.a PaPa, my granny: Nenek, my dad: Ayah, my mom: Mak, my sis: Mea for great time-out!

Even though I am a rebellious child in my family, however I feel honored that I am able to treasure something so special that symbolized the love shared between me and my father:

When I am with my dad it is always an adventure. We go camping a lot. He taught me how to set up the tent and to build a fire since I am 14 years old. He teaches me to respect nature and to always make sure I don’t leave messes. Me and my father have a very special bond and camping together is always a special moment.

Today, I love to share tips on “How to Plan a Fun Camp Out for Toddler in Your Own Backyard”

Below are some of our pictures:

Chicken lovers

LittleKittle’s say cheese~

Big bro: Big help!

Big sis: Keep it up~

Big bro & sis: Hard work!

Chasing Atuk & Opah’s rabbits! *so kawaii, got 2 rabbits!*

Preparation for BBQ: My sis Mea and my mum: Mak~

My dad! a.k.a Atuk Honda *thehehe*

Lunch hour

Start up!

Camping time my dear

I guided them on how to set-up their own tent~

Great job sayang!

Tadaa~Completed!

Sweating!

Relieve~

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Some tips on How to Plan a Fun Camp Out for Toddler in Your Own Backyard:

Things You’ll Need:

Tarp (if you don’t have a tent)
Blankets
Sleeping Bag
Portable Grill
Flashlights
Cooler & Ice

Step by step guide:

Step 1 : Drape a tarp or a large sheet of plastic over a clothesline.
Gather some rocks to hold down the corners.
Lay blankets or another tarp inside on the ground and then roll out the sleeping bags.

Step 2 : Cook out on a portable grill.
Breakfast is an easy meal to cook outdoors because there are so many simple menus to prepare.
Nothing smells tastier than eggs, sausages and pancakes cooking in a cast iron skillet at the crack of dawn.

Step 3 : Let the toddlers use other camping gear like lanterns and camp chairs to make it feel like a real camping trip.
Don’t forget the ice and a cooler full of snacks and mineral water plus cold drinks.

Step 4 : Build a campfire, even if it is just pretend.
You can gather some real kindling and stuff red, orange, and yellow tissue paper between the sticks to look like flames.
Place a lighted flashlight underneath to make it glow, and then circle your campfire with some rocks.
This creates the mood for storytelling or singing songs around the campfire.
It’s even more fun if you camp under a full moon.

Step 5 : Stargaze and search the nighttime sky for different constellations.
Teach your children to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the great outdoors.
Have fun exploring the nighttime sights and sounds.
Help younger children identify sounds like crickets chirping, neighborhood dogs barking or insects buzzing.

Step 6 : Catch fireflies in a jar. Nothing delights a young camper more than those little lights twinkling and flashing in the night.
The kids can have fun making some simple luminarias to add an extra warm glow to the night.
Fill small brown paper bags half full with sand, and then nestle a votive candle in the sand.
Be sure to supervise children carefully once the candles are lit.

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Let’s go camping mommies

May Allah swt blessed your lovely family. Amin~

Filed Under My Fun Homeschool | 3 Comments

How to Teach Your Children Table Manners

Post by MamaFiza on October 21, 2008

Happy Tuesday mommies

Wish you were in lovely day.

Today, I’d love to share something regarding to “Toddler & Table Manners“, hope you’ll try these tips with your lil precious in your free time *hugs*

For me, table manners are more than about proper eating, it’s about being kind and considerate of others.

Teaching children table manners is not something that you all of a sudden “do“. It’s a process that takes time.

You’ll have the best results if you start teaching table manners while your child is still using a high chair. Teaching table manners must be done in an age appropriate way.

Please, don’t expect a toddler to properly use utensils, for example. However, you can teach a toddler not to throw food.

Learn to be pro ~ *hoho* Bro KiruaMi-cHan

Go on sis ReiHi-cHan~

Satisfaction from YunaFi-cHan!

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Step by step guide:

Step 1 : Teach your child to wash his/her hands before meals.
Even older infants who are beginning to eat finger foods should wash or have washed their hands before they sit down to eat.

Step 2 : Correct a toddler when he throws food.
Use age-appropriate language such as, “Sorry. We don’t throw food. Let us appreciate our meals, cutie”
You will need to reinforce this over and over, so don’t get frustrated with your child.

Step 3 : Instruct your children in the proper use of utensils. A child’s physical development affects how she holds and uses utensils. It is enough that a toddler knows a spoon is for soup and a fork is for vegetables.
Don’t expect a child that young to hold the utensils perfectly. Older children, however, should be shown how to hold and use utensils properly.

Step 4 : Use good table manners yourself. Children learn what they live.
Say “please” and “thank you” when you ask a family member to hand you the salt or ketchup sauce, for example.

Step 5 : Don’t make any rude comments about any food being served. It will hurt someone’s feelings.

Step 6 : Explain to your children that it is polite to wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat, and then model that behavior for your kids.

Step 7 : Start introducing your children to new foods from an early age. Have your child try a “polite bite” of new foods offered even if the child thinks the food looks unappetizing.
Explain to your child that he may think a food is “gross” but that he should keep that to himself rather than express it verbally to avoid offending the cook; be that mom, dad or a friend’s parent, really the height of bad manners.

Step 8 : Tell your children that you expect them to say, “May I please be excused?“ when they are done eating and wait for permission to leave the table rather than simply getting up and leaving the table whenever they feel like it.

Step 9 : Tell them; “Don’t stuff your mouth full of food, it looks gross, and you could choke. Chew with your mouth closed. My dear, no one wants to be grossed out seeing food being chewed up or hearing it being chomped on”. *this includes no talking with your mouth full*

Notes:

Teach your toddler how to set a proper table. Show them where the napkin and utensils go in relation to the plate or bowl. Instruct them on the proper placement of the glass in relation to the plate or bowl. Once they’ve mastered it, make it their responsibility to set the table as a way of contributing to running a smooth household.

It’s alright to rest an elbow on the table if you’re not actually eating. But, if you’re eating, then only rest the forearm or wrist on the edge of the table. One doesn’t want to be hunched over their food. At formal functions, no elbows on the dining table.

Breakfast

Do remind your lil angel:

Eat slowly, don’t gobble up the food. Someone took a long time to prepare the food, enjoy it slowly. Slowly means to wait about 5 seconds after swallowing before getting another forkful.

When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating a whole piece of bread looks tacky.

Don’t reach over someone’s plate for something, ask for the item to be passed to you. Shows consideration.

Do not pick anything out of your teeth, it’s gross. If it bothers you that bad, excuse yourself and go to the restroom to pick.

Always use a napkin to dab your mouth, which should be on your lap when not in use. Remember, dab your mouth only. Do not wipe your face or blow your nose with a napkin, both are gross. Excuse yourself from the table and go the restroom to do those things.

When eating at someone’s home or a guest of someone at a restaurant, always thank the host and tell them how delicious it was, even if it wasn’t. Again, someone took time, energy, and expense to prepare the food, show your appreciation.

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Wish ya great luck mommies

May Allah swt blessed your sweet family. Amin~

Filed Under Mama's Talk, My Healthy Kitchen | 5 Comments

Family Bonding for Busy Mum

Post by MamaFiza on October 20, 2008

Seriously,

You Don’t Need to Be Busy.

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Hola mommies

Alhamdulillah, today manage to back on blogging again *chuckles*

Wish you were in great moment!

Today, I would love to share some tips on how to expand family bonding for busy mum.

Hope you could squeeze your time for your lil precious angel *winks*

Angels in my eyes~

Some busy people always complain how busy they are. Some might even feel little proud of being busy.

If you are busy, I think it’s better to ask yourself a question: “Why are you so busy?”.

If the answer is “work, shopping, hobbies, etc. – all the stuff I need to do” then mostly you’ve responded wrong.

As I always remind myself: I am busy because I’ve chosen to be busy.
Nobody forced me to homeschool *oh, my.. I just love it!*, work or take so many online classes or hobbies.
I have put myself in that situation, and it’s my responsibility to deal with it.

The truth: Simply delegating work and learning to say “no” can help you. *yes, a lot!*

Although maybe your family seems to be busy with their own interests and activities and often not home, there are many ways to keep the family bond strong *Insya-Allah*.

Doing little things together strengthens ties with your children such as sharing a meal or chauffeuring them.

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Let share some of tips on “Family Bonding for Busy Mum“:

Things You’ll Need:

Love

Below are some examples for creating bonding time:

Whenever possible, eat meals together, especially dinner.
Keep the TV off and do not answer the phone while dining.

Help them with homework (or review homework schedules).

Attend their sports event or activity (give positive feedback no matter the outcome).

Play card or board games of their choosing.

Watch a TV program that your lil kids like.

Have a family night out and go to a movie, concert, bowling game or play.

Exercise together (biking, swimming, dancing, hiking).

Volunteer together (serving meals at orphanage house, give a helping hand at nearby hospital/mosque).

Do chores together (cooking, dishes, grocery shopping, housework, gardening).

Drive them whenever possible and let them listen to their favorite radio station/CD’s *and sing out loud together!*.

Have bedtime talks where you just sit and listen and let your children speak.

Read together. If there is a book everyone wants to read (i.e. My Quran Friends), each person can take turns reading aloud.

Share a hobby together or take an active interest in your child’s hobby.

Go on a family vacation and let the kids get involved in the planning.

Every day, tell them you love them. Also, give a compliment or positive remark about something they’ve done.

Gambatte ne mommies, do remember: quality time is better than quantity

May God bless your lovely day *hugs*

Filed Under Mama's Talk | 2 Comments

About The Author

A youthful mum [born in 1984] living in boulevard of peace, loving my treasured family, fully breastfeeding my 4 kiddies (tandem nursing), Work-at-Home-Mom, homeschooler, no-pacifier and no maid rules!

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