Feeding Kharis Jawhar

As at the time I am writing this, there is already another addition to our family. It's been a while, really, because baby Kharis Jawhar just turned 9 months yesterday. :) He has been fully breastfed and I was really, really looking forward to feeding him when he turned 6 months. So, a couple of days before he turned 6 months, I went out and get myself a Beaba Baby Cook. I actually wanted the SOLO model but the store had run out of stock. So, this is what we got: 

I was armed now. To introduce him to solids, I started puree-ing mainly fruits and vegetables, one flavour at a time, whilst looking out for any possible signs of allergy. Using the Beaba Baby Cook made my life a whole lot easier too. The gadgets does the steaming and the blending for you, so that was really convenient. Once the puree is done, I batch freeze them in blobs of 60mls. The silicon freeze compartments are really easy to handle and facilitates 

By trial and error, I stuck to feeding baby KJ at around 120ml per serving. He actually cried pretty loudly when I don't feed him enough. kikikikiki 

We had apples, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes and carrots puree; amongst others. Then after, I started combining two flavours together. The ones that Kharis really liked were apple + pear, apple + banana, avocado + banana, strawberry + banana and sweet potato + carrot. 

-dillzbloggingout-

Solat Tree

Back after 3 years. And what an apt reason to start writing again, I have something to share.  #sharingiscaring 

I have recently discovered the "Solat Tree" online and had begun using that for my two middle kids - Khaleeq and Khaleeda - last week. The concept is easy enough, the Solat Tree consists of a tree with 7 branches, each branch representing a day in the week. Each branch has 5 leaves, clearly marked for the five compulsory solat of the day. I wanted to train my kids to keep their solat, so this was what I did. I introduced them to the Solat Tree last Tuesday night and asked them to colour the first branch according to these rules:

1. Colour the leaves of the solat that you performed GREEN

2. Colour the leaves of the solat that you missed RED

So, after that exercise, Khaleeq had two reds and Khaleeda had three red leaves. To make matters more interesting, we collectively agreed that they will get to open a reward for getting 30 leaves green this week. With that in mind, we started to strategize. 

I asked them the reason why they missed their prayers and if there were any way for them to make sure they can perform their prayers within the stipulated times. They said it was possible, so we deviced ways of doing so. Khaleeda for example has many activities after school, so we came up with specific strategies on how and when to perform her solat. For instance, she has gym class at a nearby community hall at 1pm. So, she plans forward and makes sure she brings her kain telekung, sejadah and slippers to practice. Takes her wudhu' before class starts and stops for a while after warmup to pray Zohor. We decided to setup a little prayer corner by the hall as the dedicated surau was quiet and a bit scary for little girls to be in alone. So, I had to help her figure out the kiblat direction that day and set up the sejadah ready for her. The point here is that I wanted to facilitate, we were trashing out issues so that they are able to keep their solat complete. Khaleeq had issues with Zohor as his school finishes in the evening. By the time he gets home, it would already be almost Asar. So he came up with the strategy to pray during lunch break, i.e around 1.45pm at the surau near the canteen. On days that he has sports, he would have to bring along his jubah. 

As I shared this on my instagram feed (follow me if you hadn't already (@dillazag)) and Facebook, people were asking where I got the Solat Tree from. I thought to myself, "Hmmm.. maybe I should just redraw this and distribute" So here we are right now. I did just that - this is how my version of the  Solat Tree:

Please feel free to save this and use it. The pdf version is also available - just email me to get it ok?

-dillzbloggingout-

Salted Egg Crab

I keep on losing my recipes. Just the other day, I was looking for the brown banana pecan muffin recipe which is tried and tested by yours truly. Syukur that I remembered that I blogged about it before. And true enough I found it. Alhamdulillah.  

So I'm just thinking of documenting the recipes that I would like to share with you guys as well as for my future recipe. Here goes..

This particular one got raving reviews from le Laki. It's the Salted Egg Crab, recipe courtesy of the ever sweet Kak Haizah. (@haizahzainol) 

Salted egg crab

Ingredients

Crab ( around 1kg) 

Garlic

Ginger

Black pepper

Cornflour

8 salted duck eggs (hard boiled)

Butter

Curry leaves 

Pandan leaves

Cili padi 

Ideal evaporated milk

Method

Prepare and wash the crab - I take off the top shell and chop off the bottom triangular thingy. Halve the body and take off the first major claw. Wash it slightly and put in marinating bowl. 

Marinate with slices of garlic, ginger and black pepper for at least half and hour. 

Squash the hard boiled salted eggs - 8 yolk and 3 white eggs. I find the easiest way to get the yolk out is by halving the hard boiled egg and scooping the yolk out with a spoon. 

Coat the crabs with corn flour then deep fried it and put aside. Instead of deep frying, I used the airfryer and it worked just fine too. 

Now you are ready to prepare the sauce. In a wok, heat the butter, about 2 sprigs of curry leaves, a good handful cili padi (just take off the top) and pandan leaves. Stir until you can smell the fragrant aroma and take care not to let the butter burn. 

Put in the squashed boiled salted eggs (8 parts of white and only 3 yolks) together with the Ideal evaporated milk, about half a tin and some black pepper. Throw in the crab and mix well so that the crabs are well coated with the sauce.

Done!

Happy trying!! 

-dillzbloggingout- 

Umrah Prep

Excited. I'm beyond excited actually. Been looking forward to this trip for a while now so I guess that is expected right?

I have been physically preparing myself for umrah trip with my parents mid march. It's gonna be quite a big group, my uncles and aunties mad cousins included. So psyched.

Today, me and my besties Kynne and Mira went to Sri Munawwarah one stop Haji and umrah prep shop to get some of the essentials. Lemme share my lunchtime loot with ya. ;)

Extreme love.

-dillz blogging out-

Tabung Oren, Hijau Dan 50sen

I was scrolling my instagram timeline 2 days back and was inspired by a posting by @phatdivamom She was sharing the fact that she has just started saving RM5 notes.She intended to use the saved up money to travel. So I thought to myself, "What a brilliant idea" So, our family had started saving up RM20 notes, RM5 notes as well as 50sen coins. 

The rules are simple. Everytime you chance upon the denomination of choice, set it aside and keep them. By then end of the year, count it up and use it for whatever you desire - a simple family dinner or outing, to a full-blown vacation, presents for each member of the family, etc.

Why RM20 and RM5 did you ask? I hardly get them. As change, I mean. If I had opted for RM50, that would automatically rule out cash withdrawals from ATM. hihihihi. Not saving RM1 either, because that is the denomination used for the kids' school allowance. 

Started to collect 50sen as well as I wanted the kids to be part of this as well. A friend of mine was just relating her own experience on saving 50sen coin - she got about RM573 at the end of the year. Pretty impressive, right? 

So, yeah. We are hopeful. Wanted to start this good habit of saving and hopefully nurture my kids to do the same. Why don't you jump on the bandwagon too?

-dillz blogging out-