Recipe: Thai Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Mushroom

Step 1: You’ll want to cook the curry paste just a bit, just to release the oils and the flavors. The amount of curry paste you use is totally up to you (and you can always add more in later after tasting the curry).
Step 2: Now pour in the coconut milk and whisk to incorporate the curry. This helps the curry paste break down and become smooth.
Step 3: add in the vegetables to cook for a couple of minutes. At this point, taste the curry, and if you want it more spicy, then whisk in additional curry paste.
Step 4: Now for the shrimp. cook until shrimp is cooked through.
Step 5: Throw in the basil leaves, stir and you’re done.

http://steamykitchen.com/10910-10-minute-shrimp-and-mushroom-thai-curry.html

Recipe: Salmon with Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze

On the side burner, melt the brown sugar, honey and butter in a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil and ginger. Let cool.

Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush salmon with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the salmon skin side down on the grill. Coat the flesh of the salmon fillets with the brown sugar mixture. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes to medium doneness, turning once after 5 to 6 minutes.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/salmon-with-brown-sugar-and-mustard-glaze-recipe/index.html

Tip:  Eat with Salad and Sliced Tomatoes, Put lemon juice on top and sliced lemon for decoration

Note: Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (wild salmon is an important souce of DHA and EPA - important for brain function and structure) and high vitamin A, D and E (babies tend to be low in vitamin D). It is also anti-aging and fatigue fighter.

It is good to eat twice a week, and salmon goes well with carrots, tomatoes and lettuce because these vegetables has beta-carotene.  Cooking tomatoes enhances the nutritional value and allow you to absorb more lycopene (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0115589?prevSearch=rui+hai+liu&searchHistoryKey=).  Cooked carrots, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, peppers and many other vegetables also supply more antioxidants, such as carotenoids and ferulic acid, to the body than they do when raw, Liu says. At least, that is, if they're boiled or steamed. (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=raw-veggies-are-healthier)

If you cook salmon too much, the meat doesn't taste as good and you will lose much nutrient.  Ginger or lemon juice get rid of the fishy smell.  You can also put ginseng tea bag to get rid of the fishy smell.   

Must Have Items for Summer - Infant Baby

1. Swimsuits


2. Outdoor blanket by JJ Cole


3. Sunglasses by i play


4. Sunscreen
Here is sunscreen that I really like. ^^


5. Sun hat by i play

Product Reviews: Baby Sunscreens

Check out EWG's Skin Deep page for Baby Sunscreen and other baby products. 

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/baby_sunscreen/

It is very difficult to see and know the ingredients in the back of the bottle, so they rated skin products and scored them if they are low, moderate or high hazard to you. 

They were scored 0-10 with 0-2 as low hazard.

Some of them are that were familiar to me that scored 1 are 

ThinkBaby Sunscreen Benefiting Livestrong, SPF 50+ (3 oz. costs $15.99)

Seventh Generation Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30 (3 oz. costs $13.99)

Badger Baby Sunscreen, Chamomile & Calendula, SPF 30+ (2.9 oz. costs $16)

California Baby No Fragrance Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+ 

California Baby Everyday/Year-round Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+

Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (8 oz. costs $9.99)

ThinkBaby, Seventh Generation, California Baby, and Badger products are a bit pricy, but it is a good investment for baby's safety and skin care.  ^^  Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 also scored 1.

Then, these sunscreen scored 2 

Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, Bebe/Enfant, SPF 50

Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion, Bebe/Enfant, SPF 50

California Baby Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion, No Fragrance, SPF 30+ 

Episencial Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 35

Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35 (Here is one that I really like~)

California Baby Super Sensitive No Fragrance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30

BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 50 (This link below is pack of 4.  It costs much lower than other sunscreens that scored 2)

BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+

Aveeno Baby Natural Protection MineralBlock Face Stick, SPF 50+

Then, these scored 3 (3-6 Moderate Hazard)

Some of Banana Boat, Baby Blanket, Avalon Organics, Neutrogena products

Also BabyGanics Cover Up Face & Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50+ and Avalon Organics Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 18 and Aveeno Baby Natural Protection MineralBlock Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 are also listed here. 

Then, these scored 4 

California Baby Everyday/Year-round Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 18 

This is the only product that California Baby that is listed above 2. 

Then, Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 scored 4.

Above 5 is Rite Aid, Walgreens, Panama, Banana Boat, Baby Blanket, CVS, Neutrogena, and Coppertone products. 

And there is Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion, SPF 55 and Huggies Little Swimmers Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen Baby, Blue Melon Splash, SPF 50 is also 5.

I prefer to avoid products that scored 3 or more which includes many products that we commonly spot in drug stores actually. 

Product Review: Fisher Price Healthy Care Baby Booster Seat Chair

When my baby started solid, I couldn't really use the Bumbo chair because he wouldn't fit into one. He was a chubby baby! So we decided to get Fisher Price Rainforest Healthy Care High Chair. It was decent, but living in downtown Manhattan, adding one more furniture, not to mention all the toys, was not really a good option. So we thought it would be better to give my son more space to move around, so we actually returned it and got Fisher Price Healthy Care Baby Booster Seat Chair. Actually, it was great because though the seat does not recline, my son doesn't need to recline to eat. He loves being with us when eating because he feels included instead of being left in his high chair. When you are traveling, you can also fold it and bring them with you. Buying a high chair can be included in the new baby budget like a crib, changing table and baby toys, but the booster chair was only $25. Great buy and best of all, my son doesn't try to get out like the other high chair.

6 Baby Items I Couldn't Live Without

6 Baby Items I Couldn't Live Without

1. Comfortable Feeding Chair
After coming out from the hospital, I never thought I would spend so much time feeding.  Comfortable feeding chair, rocking chair or glider is a must.   The last month I was due, my back started to hurt due to unbalanced baby weight, so the glider that I had really saved my back pain.



2. Bobby or other feeding pillow
Just slip in bobby pillow and you can relax on your chair and be glad that baby came out with great love and grace of God.  ^^


3. Nursing bras, nursing tang-top or clothes that are easy to feed

This is a must when you are out or when relatives or friends come to visit.  I cannot think of any other way to feed without a nursing bra.

4. Moby Wrap & Ergo


We had Baby Bjorn, but I couldn't carry my baby after 6 months because he was already 19 pounds.  He wouldn't fit because he was a chubby little boy.  I used Ergo that my friend has, and it works great.  I also read many good reviews about Moby Wrap.  It is what many people recommend as a must-item.  I think I will give a try next time.  ^^

5. aden + anais Swaddle Blankets - Swaddle blankets
I have a nice blanket, but I see so many mothers with aden + anais swaddle muslin blankets.  The material is so light, and it keeps the baby warm and also cool in the summer. But it is around $50 which is on the high end side actually.


6. Changing Pad
Though changing table might not be worth the investment, you can purchase changing pad.  It would save wetting so many blankets and even the bed.




Things that we tried but have not used much

1. Pacifier
I tried so many pacifiers, but my son wouldn't take it.  The last one that I tried that my son liked as a toy was Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier that they give in the hospital.  Unfortunately, the hospital never gave me one, so I purchased one, and my son seems to like it but never as a pacifier.

2. Swing, Exersaucer
Though it is very nice to have, my son would stay less than 5 minutes. 

3. Electric Breast Pump because my son wouldn't take bottles

4. Swaddle Me Blankets
I heard that you need a swaddle me blanket to make the baby feel secure as in the womb, but this was another thing that my son didn't get affected much.

5. White Noise Music
This also was something that my son didn't seem to help.  Now that he is 9 months, we turn on lullaby when he goes to sleep.

Product Review - Maclaren Stroller vs City Mini (맥클라렌, 시티미니 유모차 - 사용후기)

휴대용 유모차를 사기 위해서 정말 심사 숙고 했었다.
아기가 태어날때 부터 썼던 디럭스형 유모차를 잘못 사서 몇달 동안 고생했기 때문에
휴대용 유모차 만큼은 야무지게 고를려고 고민했었는데..
결과부터 말하자면 크게 만족스럽지 않다.
나는 맥클라렌 퀘스트를 샀다!!!!!!!!

맥클라렌은 종류가 다양하다. 신생아때부터 쓸수 있다는 XLR부터 , 퀘스트, 트라이엄프, 볼보 신생아때부터 쓸수 있다는 XLR는 정말 비추천이다. 아마존이나 쇼핑몰 사진에서는 그렇게 커보이지 않았는데 막상 매장에 나가보니 너무 크고 이상했다. 기존 디럭스 유모차들 보다 결코 작지 않은 크기인데, 굳이 맥클라렌을 선택할 필요가 있을까 싶었다.

퀘스트는 크기는 적당했다. 우리 딸은 아직 돌이 안되었기 때문에 4단계로 리클라인이 되는 유모차가 필요했고, 너무 작고 가벼워 보이는 볼보는 다소 위험해 보였기 때문에 퀘스트로 결정했다.

맥클라렌의 장점은 작고 가볍고 접기 쉽다는 것 아닐까?
작은 크기에 비해, 안정적이고, 편안해 보인다. (내가 직접 앉아보진 않았지만
딸이 그렇게 느끼는 것 같다. )
실제로 작고 가볍고 접기 쉽긴 하지만,  좀 무거운 가방을 걸어놓으면 뒤로 넘어간다.
지하철이나 공공장소 같은데서 아기를 먼저 꺼내려다 이런 일이 발생하면 정말 난감하다.

또한 작고 가볍고 접기 쉽다는 것 이외에도 맥클라렌의 장점은 브랜드 네임 밸류가 아닐까 싶다. 디자인이나 브랜드 이름이 부티난다.

그런데 맥클라렌을 사고 나니까, 시티 미니가 눈에 들어왔다.
아니 이렇게 많은 사람들이 사용하고 있는데, 나는 왜 몰랐을까.
원래 남의 떡이 더 커보이므로, 시티 미니의 장점만 적어보려고 한다.

1. 핸들링을 한손으로 할 수 있다. 양손으로 잡아야 하는 유모차를 쓰고 있는 나는 비가 와도 눈이 와도 우산을 쓸수가 없다. ( 어찌 아이의 안전을 비를 피하려고 양보할수 있겠는가..)

2. 캐노피가 크다. 요즘 같은 여름날은 어디서 차양을 구해다가 덮어주고 싶을 정도이다.
  동그란 캐노피가 그 어떤 자외선도 막아줄것 같은 신뢰감이 든다.

3. 가볍다. 실제 들어보지 않았지만 보기만 해도 가볍다. 맥클라렌보다 바퀴가 크지만 몸체 자체의 크기는 비슷하다.

그외에도 많을 것같다. 아마존에 보니 상품평도 완전 좋다.
글을 쓰면서 더 후회가 된다.
하지만 이젠 바꿀수 없으니, 둘째가 생기면 그때는 꼭 시티 미니를 사야겠다.

한가지 덪붙이자면, 디자인이나 컬러 배색은 맥클라렌이 훨씬 마음에 든다.
그것으로 위안을 삼아서 우리 딸이 유모차가 필요 없어질 나이까지, 열심히 써야겠다.

Product Review - Sippy Cups and Straw Cups (Thermos, LifeFactory, ThinkBaby)

When my son was about 6 month old, I started to look for a sippy cup because my son started solid at that time without having fed bottle before.  I thought it was easy as buying one and probably two max.  However, it wasn't the case.  Without knowing much, I purchased Nuk Learner Latex Spout BPA Free Cup.  My son wouldn't take it at all, and I was thinking why.  When I tried to drink, it hurts my mouth because it is so hard to suck.   Maybe I should have tried Silicone Spout for easier drinking..

Next, I tried Playtex The First Sipster Spill-Proof Cup, 7 Ounce.  Actually, my son realized how to drink from the sippy cup with the Playtex.  However, when I carry this around, the water will smell like a plastic.  Though it is BPA free, it was like refilling a water bottle.  The substance in the cup would gradually get to the water, changing the water taste.

Then, we purchased a Piyo Piyo Training Cup with Straw and mOmma Straw Cup.  I thought maybe my son would take a straw.  But then, with all the straw cup, my son likes to play with them, not drink out of them.  Also, mOmma's straw a little short, so you need to fill the cup more than half to drink out of.

Without much success and with much research, I ended up with three choices of sippy cups.
1. Thermos Foogo Leak-Proof SS 7 Ounce Sippy Cup
2. LifeFactory Eco-Friendly 9-ox Glass Bottle
3. ThinkBaby BPA Free No Spill Sippy Cup, 9 Ounce


Because of plastic leaking into the water, I was considering what the sippy cup is made out of.  Thermos Foogo is made of stainless steel and lead free, but as you have already used stainless steel bottles like Klean Kanteen, it is hard to clean and your cup will smell sour after a while.
LifeFactory seem very good, but it was too costly to try because I didn't know if my son would like it.

Then, I saw a great review of ThinkBaby.  It is free of bisphenol-A (BPA), nitrosamines, phthalates, lead, PVC, melamine, triton, and biologically harmful chemicals.

So I gave a try, and my son loved it.  It is first sprout or sippy cup that both my son and I liked.  I like how the handle moves.  In other sippy cups, you have to make sure that you have to align the sprout correctly or else, your child will be chewing on the sprout, not being able to drink properly.

Thumbs up for ThinkBaby BPA Free No Spill Sippy Cup!  You can also convert it to a straw cup if your child doesn't take sprout. It comes with a cap, so you can put the cap on when you are carrying the bottle in your bag.