Dine Without Worries With Clean Habits Spoon & Fork Wipes

February 22, 2012 by




At home, we always make sure that everything we use for our little ones are clean and germ-free. We have an arsenal of disinfectants and anti-bacterial dishwashing liquids to ensure that our little ones are safe from harmful bacteria.

But what happens when we dine out? We’ll look silly if we bring our cleaning arsenal with us just to be certain that utensils, plates, and glasses are clean enough for our children. Well, we have found a new ally that lets us “enjoy meals without doubts” – Clean Habits Spoon & Fork Wipes.

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I found these in a bazaar and bought several to use at home and to keep in my bag ready to be used when we dine out. Clean Habits Spoon & Fork Wipes are specially formulated from edible and natural ingredients which mean they are safe for our little ones. They don’t leave any odor or aftertaste. This may be because they contain no toxins or harsh chemicals.

Though meant specifically for making sure that utensils are clean, these wipes can also be used to clean plates, glasses, soda cans (which you should ALWAYS wipe before opening), and the phone receiver. You can also safely use them on children’s toys and accessories.

They really are quite handy! I can’t seem to find them though in major supermarkets so I’m always on the lookout for them during bazaars. Do let me know if you come across them in any supermarket.

Filed Under: for the KIDS, Products We Love Tagged With: , , ,

Ten-Minute Cheesy Pesto Linguine

June 20, 2011 by

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No matter how much we try to schedule household activities like clockwork, there are really times when we moms find ourselves pressed for time. I found myself in one such instance (again!) and was in a great rush to prepare a decent meal for my hungry brood. Here’s a really great quick-cook pasta for the family. I initially prepared it for my husband and I but, surprisingly, the toddlers liked it too.

Ok, so this mom needs a lesson in food photography…

All I needed to prepare for the pasta dish was a pack of linguine cooked according to package directions, a few cloves of garlic minced, a tbsp of sliced olives, a tbsp of olive oil, and a pack of Clara Ole Cheesy Pesto Pasta Sauce.

I boiled the water for the pasta before preparing the ingredients for the sauce.  After a few minutes, I added the linguine into the boiling water and started cooking the sauce.

I sauteed the garlic and olives in olive oil then poured in the ready-to-use pesto sauce. I then let it simmer for a few minutes and seasoned it with salt and pepper.  When the linguine was done, I mixed it with the sauce and allowed the flavors to infuse.  A few sprinkles of grated parmesan cheese and we were all set!

The entire preparation and cooking process took only about 15 minutes so this is really a great quick cook meal.  I served it with grilled chicken which had already been marinated early in the morning so cooking it also took only a few minutes.

Filed Under: Kids At Work Tagged With: ,

Cheesy Vegetable Surprise

April 27, 2011 by
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Tonight’s Dinner: Grilled Sirloin Steak, Hearty Mashed Potatoes and Cheesy Veggie Surprise (pardon the overcooked steak!)

I finally got to try the recipe I found while browsing the FullTime Moms Facebook Page.  The recipe created by Chef Ed Quimson was a perfect way to get my toddlers to finish their vegetables without much whining.  Although the tots do love to eat vegetables, they sometimes get tired of the usual menu in our house.  This cheesy vegetable surprise is something I haven’t tried before but I was confident they would eat their meal with gusto because of the cheese.

BROCCOLI, CARROTS and QUICKMELT CHEESE

CARROT SAUCE

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter
200 grams white onions, chopped
dash salt
1 piece laurel leaf
1 kilo carrots, shredded
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk

PROCEDURE

In a sauce pan, heat olive oil and butter.
Sauté onions until translucent then add laurel.
Put in the chicken broth and milk.  Stir over low heat until smooth and bubbly.
Add the carrots, simmer while stirring constantly until cooked.
Puree the sauce in a blender until smooth.
Heat until thickened or reduced.

PROCEDURE:

Blanch broccoli and cauliflower in boiling water.
In a mold, layer broccoli and cauliflower.
Pour in carrot sauce.
Top with quickmelt cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350F.
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broccoli and cauliflower – the nutritious surprise

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carrot sauce seems to be lacking in carrots

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yummy quickmelt cheese!!!

I’m sure Chef Ed’s finished product was utterly delicious ’cause mine didn’t turn out that bad. Considering that I’m a novice in the kitchen, my version of it still turned out quite edible – yummy even, for my 4-year-old niece.  Mine ended up watery, so I guess I should have drained the vegetables well after blanching.  Or maybe this could be because I baked it in an oven toaster as I had no conventional oven.

My toddlers finished their meal so I surmise that it tastes good enough for them, too.  My husband found it too rich and said that it was a meal for kids.  I found the carrot sauce really delicious.  It could even be eaten all on its own – like soup.  This recipe is something I would be working on hoping that I could cook it perfectly someday.  I think that squash could even be substituted for the carrots and other vegetables added too.  But experimenting on the recipe would have to wait until I’m able to make that perfect Broccoli, Carrots and Quickmelt.

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Filed Under: Health, Kids At Work Tagged With: , , ,

Our Favorite “Rocket”ship – Johnny Rockets

January 15, 2011 by

“We’re going on a trip in our favorite rocketship,  zooming through the sky, Little Einsteins…”  If you have toddlers of your own, I’m sure you are familiar with the red rocketship that goes through missions made livelier by classical music.  My toddlers absolutely love the show but now they have found a new rocket that they equally love – Johnny Rockets!

If I were to choose the best place to take my toddlers for a meal, Johnny Rockets would definitely be in my shortlist.  We took the toddlers to the Morato branch last December and all had a marvelous experience.

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Upon entering the store, we were greeted with friendly smiles which made us feel welcome and comfortable.  The crew immediately provided two high chairs for Jade and Jakei and gave them balloons and hats.  With the tots happily playing with the balloons, hubby and I were able to go through the menu without having to deal with fussy and bored tots.

PhotobucketI ordered the Kids Slider Fries and Soda for the toddlers and me to share.  It consisted of two mini hamburgers, eat-all-you-can fries and soda.  You can opt to have the burgers with ketchup, mustard, relish or chopped onions but I had them served plain for the toddlers.  The mini burgers were not really ‘mini’ in the sense that they are actually almost the same size as burgers in our regular fast food joints.

Of course, I had to have my milkshake!  Their shakes are made with premium vanilla ice cream and are ohhhh so yummy!

PhotobucketOur Ate Lanie, the ever dependable househelp, had the Kids Mix & Match with one mini burger, one all-beef mini hotdog, eat-all-you-can fries and soda.  It was more than her usual lunch meal but surprisingly, she was able to eat them all up.

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My husband and Papa Mading shared a Philly Cheese Steak.  Thinly sliced steak grilled to perfection, topped with grilled onions and cheese, and served on an authentic hoagie roll.  I didn’t get to taste it but it sure looked delicious.

When we go back there, I’d like to try the Bacon Cheddar and Route 66. And perhaps, try one of their desserts if there’s still room in my tummy.  I’d love to sink my teeth into The Perfect Brownie Sundae .  Brownie, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge,  whipped cream! Heavenly!

Photobucket BACON CHEDDAR
100% ground beef, seasoned and grilled to perfection
thick bacon, cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce,
ripe tomato, onion slice & special sauce
Photobucket ROUTE 66
100% ground beef, grilled to perfection
served with swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms, grilled onions & mayonnaise
Photobucket THE PERFECT BROWNIE SUNDAE
delectable brownie
topped with premium vanilla ice cream
drizzled with hot fudge and whipped cream

 

Are we going back there?  Definitely yes!
What did we love most about the place?  the friendly and very accomodating crew who made our toddlers feel very welcome
Our Toddler-friendliness Rating:  a whooping 10!

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: , , ,