The Electric Lunch Box ~ Meal # 5 (Millet & White Rice Porridge With Meat, Brocolli & Steamed Fish)

I bought the electric lunch box last year after I joined a group in FB when the lunch box started getting popular. I could see the electric lunch box in every discussion and new topics posted almost everyday. Thus, I decided to get one too to try it out. The electric lunch box is very mini (and cute), and it is good for cooking portion for 1-2 small small eaters, just nice for my fussy eater Kenzie boy, and now, for baby G.

For those packing food to work, or can cook (simple food) in the office during lunch time, the electric lunch box is useful and doesn't take up too much space in your office pantry. Here is how the mini and cute electric lunch box looks like.

Ever since the electric lunch box started getting popular in the FB forum (it is still a popular topic until today), I found my view counts (for all my electric lunch box posts) have increased tremendously, up to 250 views! But where is everybody? Nobody commented anything in my blog, guess they just read my post about the lunch box and go. I hope whoever is reading out there can drop me a comment here ya. But of course, you have the right to remain silent too because I know most people decide to remain as silent reader (just like the previous me).

To those following the recipes for toddlers in my blog, this is not something new already, yes? I have received requests asking me to share more toddler recipes using the lunch box. If you know me, I only cook simple food. So, let's get started.

First, wash (and soak) some (blended) millet and white rice in the lower pot. For baby G, I used 2 scoops (Enfalac formula scoop) and filled up the lower pot with enough water.

Add in some pork slices (you can use chicken breast or beef chunks) and broccoli florets (already soaked in salt water for a few hours), add water to the base of the box and then start boiling the porridge.

Thaw a small piece of fish and put on the upper tray (I used "mayau" fish, of course you can use other fish like "sek-pann" or "hung-jou", it's all up to you). I did not use any seasoning or ginger for the fish.

Check the porridge after half an hour (and add water to the base if there's not enough water) to continue cooking the porridge. When the porridge is cooked, put the fish on the upper layer of the pot, close the lid, and cook for another 5 minutes or so. The texture you can see here took about 35-40 minutes to cook.

Scrap the natural "juices" or gravy of the fish (I don't know why it's milky-whitish in colour, don't ask me) and mix the natural fish gravy into the porridge. If the fish is fresh, there will be no fishy smell, no worries. I even scooped and drank the leftover juice left on the plate.

Scoop (only) the porridge into a bowl, mix with the natural fish gravy and fish meat (crushed with finger bit by bit to make sure there's no bones). I boiled an egg earlier, and I added some mashed egg yolk into the porridge as well. Baby G is 9 months now, and I am starting him on egg yolk (must be hard-boiled). 

*Note: Toddlers before one is NOT encouraged to take egg-white. Egg yolk is fine for toddlers from 8 months onwards. However, some parents give their toddlers whole egg from 8 months onwards, (like can't wait to feed this that to their toddlers like that, hello, you have a lifetime to stuff them with food),  it's totally up to you. If the toddler has no allergies or does not develop any rashes after that, go ahead. I'm just sharing from experience.

White rice-millet porridge with pork (only for taste), broccoli, steamed fish & egg yolk

Baby G finished most of it and only left what was below.

Good to zzz after a full tummy. Now baby G has a bad habit of falling asleep in the stroller. When he starts to get cranky wanting to sleep, he refused to be carried to sleep. So I put him in the stroller, give it a few pushes, and *thap*, he fall asleep liao, easy?

First Day

The first photo below was taken last week, during orientation - Kenzie's boy first day in the kindergarten. He's the one in front, in white, next to the crying boy. We left after sending him there and made sure he was ok. We didn't stay long, it was not encouraged anyway, so this was the only picture I manage to snap.

The second (blurry) photo below was sent to me from my hubby's phone this morning at home, on his real first day to school, 2nd January 2014. He was still at home that time, very in the mood to put on his new school uniform and pose for his daddy. But when they reached the kindy, hubby said Kenzie was crying very loudly (because all kids were crying at the same time) when he left this morning.

I hope everything will be okay.

Regretted for not taking leave today to bring him to the kindy. I thought he could adapt because he did not shed a tear during orientation last week.

Yay Or Nay?

Last week, we took a day's leave to open a junior savings account for the boys. Previously, we opened a junior savings account for Kenzie boy in CRAP Bank, out of convenience as this CRAP bank is very near to my place, and I also have a saving's account in this CRAP Bank. So when I do (and check) my transactions online, I can also monitor the money in Kenzie boy's account, that was why we opened a junior saving's account in this CRAP Bank previously.

But what did not occur to my mind that time was the interest rate. I did not do my research. I did not check. I did not ask around. I was not aware. 

One fine day, while I was checking my salary online, a colleague accidentally passed by my place and saw Kenzie boy's junior savings account (because his account will be under my own savings account). He was surprised I opened a junior savings account with this CRAP Bank.  He then explained everything and talked me into opening another junior savings account with another bank, with better benefits and interest rates. The interest for this bank is equivalent to FD's interest rate, payable monthly (pro-rated) and withdrawal once a month is permitted.

So that day, we withdrew the money from this CRAP Bank, and went straight to the other bank to open a junior savings account for the boys. Interest rate would be payable monthly on the 15th (pro-rated) and we can withdraw from the bank once a month. Of course we have no intention to withdraw any money, and it is meant to be kept in the bank until the boys turn 18. After they turn 18, the junior savings account will be automatically converted to normal savings account, with normal interest. 

I am thinking, is there anyone who makes use of their children's junior account to put their savings? The interest rate is equivalent to FD's, plus you can withdraw every month. Planning to transfer my monthly savings using one of the boy's account.  

Is it a yay or nay?

*To some, I may look like a jakun who doesn't know anything. I admit that. But seriously, should my colleague had not peeped at my desktop the other day and saw Kenzie boy's junior account in my CRAP Bank, I will NEVER know (and will never be bothered to find out) about top banks which offer good interest rates for junior savings accounts. 

Ok, enough about banks and junior savings account. After we had done our banking (which already took half of the day with the waiting and all), we went to have our lunch at Sakae Sushi. I had the chicken teriyaki ramen, and the hubs had beef ramen.

We also ordered a (I think) salmon cheese maki and there were also a few plates of sushi which we took from the conveyor. Overall, we enjoyed our meal very much and we ate in peace without the kids around *wink*  

Just for my record, for dinner that day, we were too full to eat anything else, but I still whipped up something because Kenzie boy still needs to eat his rice (with something gravy) for dinner. I dug my fridge and saw some frozen dory and sausages. So I made: Cream sauce dory with sausages, onions and bell peppers.
*I know dory is not something good, but I still buy and cook it occasionally. Don't ask why.  

I used evaporated milk to make the sauce instead of whipping cream because it is cheaper. Straight forward and end of story. 

Just A Simple One

We had a very simple Christmas this year. No fancy food, no hotel buffets, no fine dining, no candle-light dinner, no celebration. Frankly, it was just another day.

While everybody was busy facebooking and posting pictures of where they went and what they ate on Christmas day, we just stayed home and I cooked a very simple dinner. Well, home-cooked food is still the best (sour grapes, heh).

We went for grocery shopping in the morning and planned to have a nice lunch in a nice restaurant after that, but the outing only lasted for less than one hour! I think you could guess why. Nothing to do with baby G. He was a good boy, sitting quietly in his stroller, observing and exploring his surrounding. It was Kenzie boy (who else?). He was still ok when we entered the mall. Halfway through shopping, he made tantrums, shouting and screaming while holding on to his toys (which I purposely bought on the spot to make him quiet, but obviously that did not work). He requested to walk when we put him inside the trolley. When we carried him out to let him walk, he requested to be seated in the trolley again. When we put him back inside the trolley, he requested to walk (again). And when he was walking halfway (reluctantly), he would sit on the floor, refusing to get up, and we had to drag him up and he would scream again. Along the way, he picked up rubbish from the floor and put into his mouth! Oh, just kill me! 

1 baby, 1 cranky toddler who keeps screaming and picking up stuffs from the floor to eat, 2 adults, 1 stroller, 1 trolley. Lots of groceries. You imagine.

Home we went after 45 minutes.    

Ok, change subject. 

For dinner, I made a simple cheesy baked rice with pork using just 4 ingredients: Pork, mushroom, onions and a can of cream of mushroom.

Pork marinated with soy sauce, pepper and Lea & Perrin's

Fried everything together with (cooked) rice, and I garnished with tomatoes.

I then boiled a can of cream of mushroom and added more oyster mushrooms.

I poured the soup on top of the rice, then topped with a few slices of cheddar cheese and baked for 30-40 minutes at 180 degrees (I don't have mozzarella, so these shall have to to)

Ta-daa, my simple porky cheesy baked rice for Christmas dinner.

Ho Ho Ho Outing

Occasion: Christmas ~ My favorite season of the year :)

Took the kids out to let them "feel" Christmas. Ho Ho Ho!

First, a carousel ride. The ride was moving, so forgive me for the blurry picture. Oh, it was RM6 per ride, not cheap.

While waiting for the hubs and Kenzie boy to finish the ride, I took a picture with baby G who could only sit in his stroller and watch, poor thing.

Kenzie boy always talks about Christmas trees at home, but when we finally saw one, he ignored and walked away. I dragged him back and forced him to take a picture. Look at his reluctant face.

Next, we went to have lunch at Pasta Zanmai. Kenzie boy loves anything spaghetti or anything creamy with white sauce. So, Pasta Zanmai we went.

Chicken cream sauce pasta for me, beef pasta for the hubs (picture not taken), mini mushroom pasta for Kenzie boy and there was also a mini cheesy-ham-tomato pizza. Oh, wait, there was a potato salad and a potato cream soup too, but picture not taken due to the kelam-kabut-ness when the food all came together. Managed to just snap what's below.

Kenzie boy glued to the tablet, while baby G chewing on a zucchini (from the potato salad), and later he chewed on a brocolli (from the potato cream soup) and also on some spaghetti strands. So mummy & daddy could eat in peace and it lasted for about 10 minutes.

Did not buy anything. Went home straight after lunch because the kids got restless and started their nuisance-act. Ahh, but better than not going out at all right?

Got My Method !

Yay, just got my Method parcel which was delivered to the office justnow!

Green tea+aloe hand wash and all-purpose natural surface cleaner.

Thanks Mama Kat for making me the lucky winner in her blog.

Came with a letter as well. I was impressed with this statement "Our products smell like heaven, clean like a mother and are safe for you and your children".

Can't wait to "hoi cheong" and try the products at home.

I loike!

For 10 Months

Was looking at this picture and thought of all the bittersweet experiences which I have gone through to carry them full-term for 10 months in my womb and deliver them safely.

Do I wish to get pregnant again? Oh yes, I wish, hehe. Actually I have always wanted three kids, but the hubs said stop at two. So two it shall be. And pregnancy reminds me of some bittersweet experiences which I have been through, especially with baby G. Why? Here's why:

The bitter ones first. I had bleeding twice when I was carrying baby G, around 5th month during my pregnancy. I could still clearly remember, I was in the office washroom, and I saw reddish-brown discharge in my underwear. Gosh, I then rushed myself to see my gynae, given a jab, and was told to bed-rest for a few days. That moment, I couldn't wait to get over with the pregnancy and just give birth as soon as possible. 

Another irritating one? Heartburn (or gastro-esophageal reflux). 40%-80% of pregnant mummies suffer from this. My English is simple. Very layman. My version means stomach juices "travel" from the inside to my throat, and up (then out) through my nose! Yes, my nose! The "juices" come out through my nose, causing me to puke, and it happens each time after a big gulp, especially at night. Usually, I must have my beverage every night before bed, and since I always feel hot during pregnancy, I will drink a big glass of iced beverage or a cold drink before bed. But the larger the amount I drink, the larger amount of "stomach juices" will come up to my nose. And after about half an hour, true enough, the "juices" will go up to my throat and out through my nose, and I had to puke before going back to bed. It happens every night during the third trimester.

Those days, I just let it happen, and told myself all these will be over after the pregnancy. But now, pregnant mummies who suffer from this need not worry about this problem because there is pregnancy-safe liquid medicine to help sooth heartburn, like Gaviscon. It's completely safe, and 68% of pregnant mummies feel better within 10 minutes after consuming the liquid. Good news, ay?

Ok, bitter ones done. The sweet ones? Needless to say, the "freedom" to eat whatever I wanted (without gaining weight and having gestational diabetes), and also feeling the baby kicks. I craved for sweet foods when I was pregnant with baby G. Anything sweet, you name it - soft drinks, tong sui, ice cream, canned fruits, and I never get gestational diabetes nor gain much weight every month during my monthly antenatal checkup. Magical? 

I Hope It Does lt

So I heard the natural remedy for flu and runny nose (or blocked nose) is to put sliced onions or sliced lemons nearby. I opt for lemons.

I hope it does what they say it will do.

This picture was taken at night (using flash) when baby G was asleep.

Merry Cookies

Christmas is just around the corner. Although I don't celebrate Christmas, it is my favourite season of the year. Everything, everywhere looks so cute, colourful and joyous. Aah, the decorations, the trees, the ornaments, the ambiance, everything.

Since Christmas is coming, I am thinking aah, why not bake some "colourful" Christmas cookies? I am not good in baking fruit cakes or other Christmas pudding which uses rum and all, so I make what I like - butter cookies, this time, slightly modified ~ with cream cheese and M&M's added. I call it the merry cream cheese M&M's cookies.

I am not an expert in baking (nor cooking). I explain very simply, using simple words, simple ingredients and simple measurement: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 block of (Philadelphia) cream cheese, 125g butter, some baking powder, a dash of vanilla essence and M&M's.

Beat the wet ingredients, and mix the dry ones in and stir together. Refrigerate for a while so that the dough will be harden a bit, thus, making it easier to manage. I don't have any fancy cookie cutter or what-not, so I just use the spoon to dollop on the baking tray, already lined with parchment paper. Bake at 190 degrees for about half an hour or more, until the cookies brown.
*Confession: The dough was a bit "wet", not very firm, thus, it expanded and stuck with each other quite a bit in the oven while baking.  

 

Here are my merry cream cheese M&M's cookies, slightly browned (I know). 

*Actually when I was writing this post, I was contemplating whether or not to post the cookies, coz I feel paiseh as the cookies were not pretty looking and I didn't have that photography skill to "hide" the imperfections.  But nah, who cares, I post what I like!

Loot From BBW

Occassion: The Big Bad Wolf (BBW)

Here is my loot from the BBW. But no, I didn't have to go there personally to get it. I have "porter service". Haha. Yep, the "porter" is my 2nd elder sister.

On the first day of BBW itself, my sister already took leave and camped went there early in the morning around 7am. I asked her to get me some children books for the boys.

Last year, I had wanted to go to the BBW (around this time too). I was around 5 months pregnant with baby G. But I could not make it because I had some bleeding a week before the BBW, and the gynae advised me not to walk nor do any house chores too much. Must stay in bed and rest as much as possible. Gosh, that was the most horrible moment in my life. With Kenzie boy, I did not have any bleeding, but with baby G, I had bleeding - twice. The gynae had to give me jabs and I had to rest as much as I could, with minimum walking and doing house chores. So I had to "tumpang" my sister to buy books from the BBW and she was kind enough to oblige.

Fast forward, this year, heh, she is doing it for me again. Thanks sis!