One Hand, Two Hands By Max Lucado

Finally my second book from BookSneeze had arrived.   The author of this book is Max Lucado and it is illustrated by Gaby Hansen.  This is a charming children book with cheery and colorful illustrations, which teaches children many ways of using their hand in their daily activities to express their helpfulness, kindness and loving nature.

I am really excited to receive this book, as I ordered it specifically for Iggy.  Although he is too young to appreciate the book, he shows excitement upon seeing the new book and he also enjoys flipping through the book.  I, personally, like the illustrations.  It is cheery and colorful and most of all its gives a warm and happy feeling to the reader.

However, I prefer the book without its book jacket.  For Iggy, the book jacket actually gets in the way when he try to flip open the book.  I think it is only a matter of time before he accidentally tear it in his attempts to flip the book open.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How To Stop Night Coughing

Following is an excerpt from an article I received in my Inbox.

To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks VapoRub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime then cover with socks.
Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.

Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescriptions cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. ...

Before encountered this article I actually heard a friend mentioning this method and claimed extremely effective and I had try it on Iggy. The result? Well, I don't how effective it is. A few months ago Iggy got a mild coughing and stuffy nose which got worsen at night. However, it didn't interfered with his sleep much. But it had me worried when I heard his labored breathing. So I applied some kid's vapor rub at the bottom of his feet. Since it didn't interfered with his sleep originally, the effectiveness of the method can't be noticed. Also I didn't use Vicks and I also didn't put socks on Iggy feet.

Permission to Speak Freely By Anne Jackson

The gift of going second, that's is what Anne Jackson's precious gift to the reader.  By sharing her own addictions and brokenness, she ultimately open the door to topics which previously kept in the dark in the Christian communities.  Issues which are taboo before, now are more readily to be openly discuss.   This in turn contribute to more people being freed and reconnected with God.

I have a mixed feeling about this book when I first started reading it.  As part of the title says "Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace", I am consciously looking for compilation of articles shared by different people.  However, what I found is Anne's personal sharing throughout the book, mixed with different type of medias, such as sketches, photographs, postcards, poems which double as illustrations for the book.

Once, I got pass my earlier assumption, I began to enjoy the book.  I also appreciate Anne's effort for not turning this book into a typical self-help book, as if all the problems in our life can be categorized into particular category and can be solved by Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 ... etc.  Life is much much more complicated than that.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

BPA just in plastics? Think again!

I saw a rather disturbing news about BPA. Following are some of the excerpt of the article

So you've bought a BPA-free water bottle and ditched BPA-filled canned food. But BPA, a toxic chemical found in many of the products we use every day, may still be a big part of your life. That's because massive amounts of BPA are found on many store receipts. And according to a recent study, BPA easily makes the transfer from receipt to skin, where it penetrates at such a deep level that it can't be washed off...

For further reading please refer to: Toxin BPA Found on Receipts From Safeway, Whole Foods, Walmart

Iggy’s First Birthday

Today is Iggy's birthday.  I guess nothing much will be happening on the actually day, as it is weekday.  Besides, we already organized  a small birthday party for Iggy last Sunday.  Not many photos are taken as Mummy and Daddy busy overseeing the outcome of the party and entertaining the guests.


Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Ignatius ...
Happy Birthday to you

For the past year, not only that you grown a lot, Daddy and Mummy also grown together with you.  Even though it had been a year since you are born, sometimes I still feel amazed that I'm actually a mummy now.  It is really a blessing having you with us.

So Ignatius, Mummy wishes you continue to grow up strong and healthy.  And walking in the path of the Lord always.  Love you very very much.  Muuuaaaakkk!

Oatmeal For Iggy

Iggy loves oatmeal I cooked for him.  My oatmeal recipe is simply, the ingredients are flexible and the cooking instruction is extremely easy.

I add a few types of veggies to my oatmeal, usually 2 to 4 types of veggies.  It could be any type of veggie you prefer.  Following are the veggies I used so far: pumpkin, potato, radish, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sugar snap pea

 
cauliflower, baby carrot, sugar snap pea

For protein, so far I only use either anchovies powder or minced chicken

 
Minced chicken added to rolled oat

Mixed everything, add adequate water to the mixture of rolled oat, veggies and minced chicken, and double boiled the mixture.

 
Oatmeal mixture ready to be cooked

You can cooked it on the stove if you want.  It just happened that my rice cooker is not the conventional type rice cooker.  It is actually a rice steamer which can be use as a double boiler too.  Although it might takes longer to double boil it than to cook it, I can actually leave it and not have to worry about stirring constantly to avoid burning the oatmeal.  It takes about half an hour to double boil, depending on how mushy you want your oatmeal to be.

 
Cooked oatmeal

Let the cooked oatmeal stand for a while, it will further thicken it up.  I usually will make 2 to 3 serving of oatmeal at a time.

 
Cheese added!

I also add bits of Kraft cheese to give the oatmeal a hint of saltiness.  Iggy doesn't like sweet stuffs, except for fruits.  Then in the fridge it goes.  At the next meal, just reheat the oatmeal and the cheese will  melted and blend with the oatmeal nicely.

For protein, so a far I only use either anchovies powder or mince chicken

Great News For A Change!

Yesterday, I received a good news, great news, in fact .. hahaha

A friend delivered safely. Both mother and daughter are in great condition.

After the bad news, I'm kinda apprehensive towards childbirth's news. Furthermore, this friend of mine, has a lot of complications during her pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension and oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid).

Anyway, after been induced, she delivered naturally yesterday.

LORD, thank you for listening lots of lots of prayers offered up for her!