Watermelon and Lime Popsicle

Are you having a great summer so far?  The Kids and I are definitely having lots of fun!  From play dates at the park, visiting the library, summer swimming camps, picking herbs and summer veggies in the  garden, and last but not least, cooking and prepping food in the kitchen together!  All are simple activities and we’re taking them all in and enjoying a relax time without the hectic schedules and pressure of homework, just yet!   One of the recipes we made often is this Watermelon and Lime Popsicle.  We love our watermelon in the summer and this is a great way to enjoy a healthy frozen treat.



Pretty much, this is a recipe inspired and created by my Little boy. He definitely loves the Zoku pop maker and we utilized it to the max!  One day, he simply asked if we can try blending the watermelons and make them as popsicle!?  Oh yes, of course Baby!   It was one of the best Pops in a while.  Besides just watermelon, I added some fresh lime juice to brightens up the flavor and they turned out to be amazing!



There are only a few ingredients in this pop, and let me reassure you, simplicity is the best!  I added a thin slice of fresh lime before pouring in the watermelon puree to the pop maker for a little decoration and extra texture and tartness, but that’s totally optional.  I hope you like today’s recipe.   Wish you all a wonderful rest of the summer!  Stay Cool!




Props and Tools used in this post:
Zoku Pop Maker (Please click here for more information)
Traditional Pop Molds (Please click here for more information)
Mini Colorful Spoons (Click here to see similar product)

Mango Shaved Ice

My Kids fell in love with shaved ice the very first time I took them to one of those fancy shaved ice places.  You can pretty much order different flavored shaved ice, along with different toppings such as fresh fruit, sprinkles, candies and mochi.  They usually charge you by an arm or a leg...oh, I meant by weight! 

On the other hand, my kids also loved the more traditional Hawaiian version of shaved ice, especially my Son.  He had it at a charity event at school.  I can totally see why the kids love shaved ice so much.  It's cool, usually colorful with the syrup/flavorings, you can hold it in your hand and it's totally okay to make a mess type of treat, etc.



If you've been following my blog for a while, or if you know me personally, you probably knew that flavored syrup and artificial coloring aren't things that I would like to see in my food, nor the kids' food.  I love big flavors, but not from artificial stuffs that I can't pronounce.  So, as I created the homemade version of shaved ice, all natural, organic, and healthy ingredients are on top of the list.



During our Spring break, we went to San Francisco for vacation.  My Hubby's cousin took us to the Google Store and I purchased the Android ice cube tray (see picture below and click here for product information).  Since my fridge have the ice cube dispenser, I used this ice cube tray for "flavored ice" instead.  To be more specific, mango juice ice cubes.



Simply pour your favorite mango juice, or mango nectar, into the tray. Let them freeze until completely hardened.  And you've got mango juice ice cubes.  Not only they are perfect in this mango shaved ice recipe, you can also add them to your mango juice or cocktails.  Your drink will stay nice and chilled without getting diluted by regular ice cubes.



Since I'm making quite a lot of shaved ice and I only have one ice cube tray, I made some extra mango juice ice cubes in a more efficient way.  Simply pour the mango juice into freezer safe containers, cover and freeze for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size.  I took the container out and cut the mango ice into cubes before they are completely frozen because that's way easier to cut.  Then you can freeze the cut out cubes until they are completely hardened afterwards.




Besides my little helpers, I have some special kitchen tools to help me out with this Mango Shaved ice.  My kids had been requesting for shaved ice for a while.  Instead of spending $6 to $8 a bowl at the shave ice store, the little machine below is quite a good bargain.  I tried the manual snow cone machine in the past and they don't quite really work, except that you get a pretty good upper arm workout out from those.  But for shaved ice, this little machines works beautifully. Simply drop the ice cubes, or mango ice cubes in this case, and twist the lid to turn on the machine and you've got mango shaved ice.  I can't resist but to get the paper snow cone cups and straws as well.  They are just adorable and so much fun to use.  I say, they are perfect for summer parties too.  You can check out the machine here, and the cups set here.




You can serve the Mango Shaved Ice the traditional way, in the paper cone and a straw.  You don't need to add any syrup as the mango ice cubes are already sweet enough and very flavorful.




However, it's always nice to add a little more fresh fruit on top of the shaved ice, just like those in the fancy shaved ice cafes.  My favorite Ataulfo Mangos are in season now, so, that's what I added, along with some fresh strawberries.




Of course, you can top with anything that you fancy for.  I love to keep it simple and use what I have in the fridge and in season. 

I hope you enjoy today's post and recipe.  Stay tuned for more fun recipes in the future and stay cool!





Tools and Props Used in this Post:

Android Ice Cube Tray (Click here for more information)
Snow Cone Machine (Click here for more information)
Snow Cone Cups and Straws (Click here for more information)
Pyrex Baking Dish with Lid (Click here for more information)
Small Cutting Board with handle (Click here for more information)
Small Bamboo Spoon (Click here to see similar product)
Ice Cream/Snow Cone Stand (Click here for more information)

Morning Rush Hour Tips—A Peek Inside Our Morning Routine

 

Let me start this post off with a disclaimer: I’m NOT a morning person. I never was one, and never will be one, period. People ask me quite often, “How did you manage to get the kids and everyone out the door to school and work, nicely dressed, well fed, and on time every single morning?”.

Honestly, it hasn't always been an easy task for me. If I were only to follow my biological clock, we’ll never get out of the door before noon. So, here’s the deal. Today, I’m going to let you peek inside our morning routine, and I’ll share my Morning Rush Hour Tips with you.

One thing you might not know about me was that I used to be a human resources manager at a major communication company before I turned into a full-time mom. What does this have to do with my family's current morning routine? Well, everything!  I can totally use my management skills at home!

So, here are a few important management skills that every successful manager should know,  and I’ll explain how each one helps me in handling the morning rush.

1) Understanding team dynamics.

All kids are different, and my two kids certainly have very different personalities. For instance, my little boy doesn't really care what he wears. I can pick any outfit for him and he’ll be a happy camper. On the other hand, my little girl loves to pick her own clothes. She might be in the mood to wear her favorite jeans, or, she might feel a little girly and want her flowery dress. If I don’t let her pick her own, she would be quite upset and request a change of clothes.

I learnt my lesson. I do not open the whole closet and let her choose randomly. Instead, I usually pick out two different outfits, and let her choose. That way, she doesn't spend all morning deciding what she wants, she gets to pick her own clothes, yet, the outfits are always appropriate for the weather and occasion. What a win-win situation!

2) Delegating effectively.

I let my kids get themselves ready, with occasional assistance from me. I let them brush their teeth, change their own clothes, they eat on their own, (although I do sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee while they eat breakfast). Sometimes, they even help out with setting the table for breakfast. With daily practice, they’ll be doing these tasks on their own without much assistance.

3) Communication

Make sure communication is a two way street. This means that I talk, they listen.

Just kidding! It’s important to let the kids express their feelings and what they want/need as well. Trust me, it makes the process much easier when you know what their little minds are thinking.

4) Planning and Time Management

Planning is very important to conquer hectic mornings. I try to have everything prepared the night before, if possible. This includes picking out outfits, packing kids’ and hubby’s lunch boxes, and preparing breakfast if it’s something I can make ahead. If not, I’ll at least prep the ingredients that I need. 

Here are two recipes that my family loves, and you can make them ahead of time. You can click here to get the Breakfast Cookies recipe, and click here for the Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips.

I hope my little tips help with your family's hectic morning rush. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have a favorite tip to share.

This post is part of BlogHer's Rush Hour Tips editorial series, made possible by Got Milk?

Vanilla Bean Easter Bunny Macarons and Carrot Cake Macarons

I love Easter.  It symbolized new life and reborn.  Easter is also filled with pastel colors things and furry bunny ears headband that my Baby Girl adores.  Easter also includes the fun Easter Egg Hunt and chocolate eggs that my Little Boy loves.  Ever since my kids could take their first step on their own and held onto a basket, I planned and organized little Easter Egg Hunt at the backyard for them.  This year is no exception.  By the way, Easter falls on March 31st this year.



For the Easter Egg Hunt, I usually prepare plastic eggs filled with treats and hide them in the backyard.  I also prepare big beautiful baskets for the kids to carry their treasures as they search and continue their "hunt".  I really enjoy seeing the smiles on their little faces as they discovered each egg.  Wait, I see something hatching from an egg below.  What is it?



Oh, it’s an Easter Bunny!  Wait, it isn’t just any Easter Bunny, it’s a Vanilla Bean Easter Bunny Macaron!



Wait, there’s another one hatching out…..



And another….



Wait, there’s more.  Shhh….this one is still asleep!  She’s just so cute.  Let’s call her Sleeping Beauty, shall we?!



Oh…and Mr. Grumpy is here too!



I hear someone whispering….



So, here goes the Easter Bunny Tea Party.  Care to join?  Oh, and Sleeping Beauty is still sleeping, shhh…..



Of course, you can’t have a Tea Party without some treats!  Can you?  What do we have?  Oh, Carrot Macarons with Cream Cheese Buttercream filling, of course.  Those are Easter Bunnies’ favorite treats!



These sure look tasty and perfect for the Easter Bunnies.



This is such a fun party, let’s taste some carrots, shall we?



How was it, then?



Everything was in harmony, peace and quiet, until my kids decided to join the Easter Bunny Tea Party.  Of course, you know how it ended.



The kids couldn't resist for a taste test.   And yes, the Easter Bunnies were as delicious as the Carrot macarons.  The End!



Have you ever wonder, what’s inside of an Easter Bunny Macaron’s head?  Creamy Vanilla Bean Buttercream, that is.  I’m not dare to watch!



Carrot Macaron Shells and Cream Cheese Buttercream fillings.  I’m telling you, they taste just like a carrot cake, in macaron form.



In case you wonder, I sliced and dried some carrots in the oven for the shells.



Until they look like this (below).  Then, I ground them all up with almonds, powdered sugar to make the shells.



Here are the Easter Bunnies before they went into the oven.  Oh…sorry, that just doesn't sound right. hahaha…..I hope you’re looking at the picture below too and not just reading the paragraphs alone.



Here’s the Easter Bunny being filled with Vanilla Bean Buttercream.  Oh so yum! 



Do you celebrate Easter?  What's your plan for the Easter weekend?  I would love to hear from you.  I hope you all enjoy today’s special Easter post.  Until next time...



P.S.:  After I was done editing the pictures for this post, I found out that Baby Girl has a sweater with a bunny that looks very similar to “Sleeping Beauty”.  So, my Baby Girl was my model that day and I snapped a few fun shots.  Say goodnight, I mean goodbye to "Sleeping Beauty".  She’s living happily ever after in my Baby Girl’s tummy!     




Disclaimer: No Easter Bunny was hurt during the production of this post.  We all had a fun tea party and a happy tummy!

L.A. Zoo

A few months ago, we decided to visit the L.A. Zoo before the weather gets too hot.  Yeah, that was a few months ago.  Along with all the ice cream, salad, cocktail and cookie recipes that I posted here,  I didn’t have the chance to post this review until now.  Since Summer has just started, officially, I guess I'd better post this NOW rather than later!  If you are visiting the L.A. area or live near-by, the L.A. Zoo is a great place to visit.  We’ve considered San Diego Zoo as well, but given the ticket price, the distance of the drive, and the uncertainty of how much the kids will enjoy the zoo, we opted for the near-by and cheaper option.  Plus, we can always plan for a San Diego Zoo trip if the kids enjoy this one.
 


One advise to you (you probably knew it if you have young children at home), is to make sure your children are well rested the day before they visit the zoo!    I suggest you to bring a light weighted stroller if you have young kids.  With the slopes up and down the hills throughout the zoo, pushing a heavy stroller could be quite tiring.  Otherwise, you can consider using the Safari Shuttle provided by the zoo with a little fare.  The shuttle takes you to different areas of the zoo so you don’t have to walk as much.  We didn’t use the shuttle because we think it’s more fun to walk around while we burnt some calories (much needed) at the same time. 



We arrived right after lunch and left in the early evening.  So, we spent a good 5 to 6 hours at the zoo.  The zoo certainly had a lot more animals to see than I expected.  First stop was right at the entrance, the Seal.  I love that they show the fact sheet right next to each animal’s home so you can learn more about them as you visit.



I guess the seal went out shopping…she was no where to be found! 



Then, we pass by the Zoo Grill restaurant and a gift shop.  They also have a small snack shop for juice, coffee ice cream and fresh fruit.  Since we just ate, we didn’t make the stop.



Then, the Meerkats came to greet us.  They are so cute. 





Next area was the Black—Necked Swan.


Gorgeous!



And we get to see this little ducky below as a bonus.



Next area was the America Flamingo’s home.



Aren’t they beautiful?  I love those colors and patterns on them.





Okay, here goes the Gray Seal.  “This little Gray Seal stays home…..”





Up next, Visayan Warty Pig



I think this he’s camera shy!



Tammar Wallaby are just too cute!





Then, we spotted the Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby.





Unfortunately, the Double Wattled Cassowary was nowhere to be found.



Then, we visit the home of the Dragons of Komodo…Let’s just say, I’m glad his home was fully shielded with a thick glass window!  While this home was huge, this Dragon was even “bigger”!  Okay, I admit that I was a little scared…and I’m more scared that my kids were not scared. 





Let’s look at something more adorable, shall we?  How about Koala? 



That is if I can capture his cute little face!  Sorry, he was too tied and was sleeping the whole time when we were there.  Oh, I got his cute furry behind though.



Up next, Gorilla.





His/her home was huge and beautiful.  Actually, there were 3 or 4 of them sharing this area.  It’s really nice to see that they are living in a nice spacious place. 



Then, we pass by the sign with the Elephants of Asia.  My Baby Girl adores elephant, especially baby ones.  But it was no where in sight, so we moved on.



She asked a few times about the elephant as we continued to visit other animals.  Hope we’ll spot one later on.



Then we saw this!  So precious. 



Up next, the home for the Giraffe.


  
Then the Black Duiker.



There must be something interesting on the other side of the fence!  We didn’t get to see his face, but I know he’s a good gardener.



Just look at his place! So beautiful!



Okapi…where are you???



Up next, Coquerel’s Sifaka.





Then, Serval.  My Baby Girl called her the “Big Cat”.



Yes, she was BIG!  Let’s get up close and personal.  Or not.  Don’t forget my camera has the awesome zoom-in feature.  Object may appear larger than it is.



Ring-Tailed Lemur.  Very active and interesting.






Madagascar Radiated Tortoise.



The Tortoise was oooon…hiiiis…waaaay….hoooome. (please say it in slow motion)



Up next, the Ostrich.





Then, Red River Hog.



He was stunned by my beauty!  Or by my huge camera.



Then, Central Chinese Goral.



He was standing on a cliff, I think that’s at least a 30 to 40 feet high cliff.



Tufted Deer. 



So adorable.



There’s also a playground in the zoo.  A nice place for the kids to release some energies while the parents can take a rest from walking.





Then the Average Bear’s home.



Yup, just the Bear’s home.  I think he’s still hibernating in there!



Up next, the Tigers.



Okay, I need to warn you, the Hippopotamus’ home didn’t have the most pleasant smell around.  Considered yourself warned.  You might want to walk away before you faint!



I almost fainted after taking this picture below.



Indian Rhinoceros….hiding in the bushes.



Another Big Cat.





Here comes “Mr. Beakman!” according to my kids (or Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan).  If you have ever watch the cartoon Third and Bird, you know what I’m talking about.  I think I watch way too much cartoon!



Sorry, the picture was out of focus for Mr. Beakman.



Here comes the Andean Condor.
 


A very magnificent and handsome bird, in deed.



Is he looking my way?  I better walk away quick as I might looked like half dead after all these walking!



Maned Wolf.  Really really cute. 




Crested Screamer…but they were awfully quiet!  I think my kids can scream way better than these Screamers.







Finally, we walked to the other side of the Asian Elephant’s home! 



Do you see it?  Look closer! 




Yes, she was right between the red and orange barn and the trees.  What a big place she’s in.  I’m so glad we finally found the baby elephant! 



Over all, it was a fun day at the zoo.  Before the temperature gets too hot, go visit and say hi to these beautiful animals.  You’re going to enjoy it. 

Disclaimer: We paid for our own tickets and I was not compensated in any way for this review.  The people at L.A. Zoo and the animals who live there don’t know who I am nor the existence of this blog.  All opinions are 100% mine own.