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How to Keep Your Home a Relaxing Space to Help Reduce Stress

 

One of the most important things to consider when moving into a new home or making changes in your current home is to find ways to make it more relaxing. It is a nice feeling to get home after a long and hard day at work and enjoy a warm bath in your freestanding bath while drinking a glass of your favourite wine and not thinking about work. Since nobody wants to go home to a cluttered household, here are some helpful tips to help convert your home into a relaxing and comfortable haven.

Start sorting all of your stuff

If you have been living at your current place for a couple of years, chances are you have accumulated many things that you do not use, and you need to get rid of. You can clear some space in your storage by taking the time to sort out all of your stuff. Place items in separate boxes and label them accordingly. You have the option to sell or donate unwanted items and keep the remaining ones for future use. The rule of thumb is if you have not used the item for the past six months, then you have to let it go. After cleaning up or decluttering, you will notice that your surroundings are clean and relaxing.

Clean as you go

One of the reasons why some people find it challenging to clean their homes is because they do not know where to begin. To make cleaning more manageable despite your busy schedule, you should clean your mess up as you go. It only takes a few minutes to pick up dirty laundry, wash dishes and wipe dirty surfaces. Make it a habit to always clean up and teach others in the house to do the same thing because it is more challenging to do it once the chores have piled up.

Renovate different rooms

Take a look at your living room and dining area and assess what needs to be done to create a lighter atmosphere. Start with repainting the walls and ceilings with neutral colours to make it more relaxing on the eyes. Dark coloured walls can affect your mood by making you feel more sad or tired. Another thing that you can do is change the lighting. Changing to LED bulbs that can help provide better light will make the place more conducive to relaxing.

Replace old furniture

Sleeping in your old and saggy bed and sitting on a worn-out couch will not help relieve your stress; however, it can cause you to feel more discomfort. Replace your mattress every five years and your pillows every six months to sleep better at night. Replace your living room couch or have it restored by an upholsterer so you can enjoy sitting in front of the TV for an extended period.

Keeping your home clean and clutter free plays a significant role in your life. The cleaner your house is the more you look forward to coming home after a long day at work.

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Reasons Why No One is Visiting Your Booth During a Trade Show

 

people inside room

It is an unfortunate fact that at a trade show, not all booths will become blockbuster hits. Some of them will end up without any visitors. You cannot afford to be one of them. You need to ensure that you attract a lot of people to come over and at least be curious about what you have to offer. These are some reasons why some booths end up with no visitors at all.

The representatives are boring

You cannot afford to send staff who do not know what to do while they are at the event. They might end up sitting throughout the trade show. It is like having no one to represent you. It helps to train them in what they need to do during the event. Let them know how to engage people and entice them to come to the booth. You also need to emphasise the need to be energetic even if it is a long day and the place has lots of people. Select the best people to do the job by filtering them not only by their knowledge of the business but also their personality.

The booth looks dull

You also do not want a booth that does not look festive at all. Trade shows are like community festivals. You wish to engage in a fun and exciting mood. If your booth seems too formal, it will be dull, and no one will appreciate it. Spice things up by using colourful decorations. You can also play fun music (if allowed). You need to have an exhibition stand too since not everyone will come inside and talk to your representatives. Even if they do not, they will still go home with knowledge about your business.

You have no gimmicks

It might seem childish, but gimmicks are a must during a trade show. You can come up with exciting games. You need to engage people who pass by and make them stay. You can hand out freebies and samples of the products that you are selling. You want to make them feel that there is a reason for them to stay and find out more.

You do not seem interested

Yes, you have a target audience, and you want to speak with them. However, you cannot expect to talk to them all the time. You might have people who are not within that demographic but are curious about what you have to offer. You cannot brush them off and say that they are not among your target group. You still need to show interest and make them feel at home if they come inside the booth. They will notice it if you want to push them out and it could affect how they view your business. Even if these people are not your immediate target audience, they know someone who is.

Now that you understand how your trade show attendance can be a disaster, it is time to start planning what to do to stand out and entice people to come and talk to you.

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What Will Future Over 60’s Look Like

No one can tell what the future holds but there are current trends that we can look at to predict what the world might look in a few decades time. Take older people, for example, can we say for sure that over 60s in 2050 will behave in the same way that our current generation of seniors do? It seems very unlikely, especially considering the differences in tastes, circumstances, and attitudes between millennials and baby boomers. But what could millennials look like when they eventually reach their golden years?

Well, Age UK Mobility have looked to tackle this question exactly by putting together an extensive piece that delves into what we can expect from the future generation of over 60s. They have broken down this fascinating topic into five key areas – technology, fashion, entertainment, health, and values – in a valiant attempt to predict how future over 60s might behave. They have even created a handy infographic to go along with the piece, replete with stats, facts, and predictions for the future. How will future over 60s travel? What will they do for entertainment? What will be the issues that are important to them? It’s pretty cool and this is certainly a subject that is fun to think about.

How I Decorated My Dream Bedroom While Renting

If you’d love to turn your bedroom in the property which you’re renting into your dream bedroom, continue reading to discover how to compare landlord insurance and how to turn your bedroom in a rental, into the dream bedroom.

How I decorated my dream bedroom while renting:

1. I purchased an antique writing desk to add a touch of style to my bedroom

If you’re a fan of classic home decor that will never date and will stand the test of time, it’s well worth splurging on purchasing a quality piece of antique furniture. I was lucky enough to find a decently priced antique writing desk, which I use as a makeshift home office.

One of the bonuses of purchasing antique furniture is that it’s highly unlikely that your friends, family members or neighbors will own the same piece of furniture. However, if you were to purchase furniture from a chain furniture store, you may come across the exact same piece of furniture at one of your friends or family members houses.

2. I decorated my bedroom by framing inexpensive prints which I purchased from Etsy

As my bedroom walls felt rather bare, I decided to purchase two inexpensive art prints from Etsy, which I then framed and stuck onto my bedroom walls, using an adhesive based hook. The latter of which can be easily removed when I shift properties in the future and which won’t damage the walls of the property which I’m currently renting.

I decided to frame both of the prints which I picked up in black wood frames so that they would look far more inexpensive than they are.

3. I sewed my own decorative cushion covers

I was also able to add a touch of style to my bedroom by sewing oversized square pillowcases. The reason why I chose to sew my own cushion covers, instead of purchasing pillow covers is that I didn’t like any of the cushion covers that I could find in-store or online and knew that I’d be better off finding the perfect fabric, which I could then use to sew my own one of a kind decorative cushion covers.

4. I splurged on purchase different duvet covers for my bedroom

As I’m the sort of individual who quickly gets bored, I had the wise idea to purchase a couple of different duvet covers for my bedroom. That way I can change my duvet cover on a weekly basis and I’m able to drastically change the look and feel of my bedroom within 5 minutes.

As an example, one week I may use a floral duvet cover, whilst the next week I may opt for a black duvet color. So if you’re renting a property just like me, it’s well worth following my advice and purchasing a couple of different duvet covers to dress up your bed.

5. I placed a shaggy rug at the foot of my bed

In order to make my master bedroom look like a bedroom from a boutique hotel, I placed a shaggy rug from Ikea at the foot of my bed.

So if you’re interested in redecorating your bedroom in the house which you’re currently renting, it’s well worth giving your bedroom a makeover!

6 Ways To Spend Your Time Inside This Winter

If you’re unsure of how to keep yourself entertained this winter, continue reading to discover 6 fun ways to ensure that winter is as tolerable as possible.

6 ways to spend your time inside this winter:

1. Work out indoors

In order to maintain your fitness over winter, its well worth working out indoors. As an example, you may want to invest in purchasing a few pieces of exercise equipment such as weights, an exercyle or a stepper in order to create your own home gym. Or you may want to get into the habit of completing exercise videos in your lounge. By searching Youtube for highly rated free workout videos.

2. Visit your local mall or shopping center

If you want to get out of your house during the cold winter months, it’s well worth driving to your nearest mall or shopping center and try your luck with some lucky lotto winning numbers. As you won’t have to face the wind or rain and will be able to browse shops, grab a bite to eat or catch a movie, without having to brave the elements.

3. Invite your friends over for a tasty pot luck dinner

Instead of arranging to meet your friends at a local restaurant, why not invite your close friends to a pot luck dinner. Pot luck dinners are easy to host as each guest is responsible from bringing along one dish, so you won’t be stuck slaving away in your kitchen for hours in order to serve your guests a scrumptious, hot dinner.

4. Develop a brand new skill

There are plenty of skills which you can hone indoors. As examples, you may want to purchase a guitar and teach yourself how to play a few chords or you may want to download an app which will help teach you a new language.

5. Purchase a new video game

If you enjoy activities that are more interactive than simply watching a TV show, you may want to consider purchasing a new video game which should keep you entertained for a couple of weeks. Alternatively, if your friends are also gamers you may want to find a nenw multiplayer game to play together, that will allow you to socialize with your friends, in the comfort of your own home!

6. Spend time learning how to play your favorite online casino game

If you enjoy playing online casino games such as poker, Blackjack and roulette, it’s well worth spending a significant amount of time learning how to become a more skilled poker, blackjack or roulette player. As once, you’ve got the hang of your favorite game, you’ll be able to test your skills against international players.

If you prefer games of luck over games of skill, you may want to spend cold winter days playing casino games which have a greater degree of luck such as bingo or slots.

So if you’re worried about entertaining yourself this winter, it’s defintely well worth using some of the six ideas listed above to keep yourself entertained indoors this winter! After all winter doesn’t have to be a bore.

8 Work From Home Tips That Will Increase Your Productivity

Working from home is an unbeatable gratifying feeling. Whether you are telecommuting or you recently had your baby, and you are now a stay-at-home mom, working from home can be fun. However, there are times you will find yourself not having the energy to work. Challenges such as distractions will also be there. How you handle them is what determines your productivity which is seen through results.

Here’s a guide to survive when working from home:

1. Set up a home office

The first step to staying productive while working from home is having a home office. Do you have a spare room you could renovate to an office? Sometimes, you’ll find that you have to declutter your house to make room.

Decluttering is necessary especially if the room you intend to use has been a storage room or a laundry room. Setting up the home office involves buying a table and chair that suit the purpose. Next, you may need some storage cabinets for documents you need to verify at a later date.

Once the room is ready, you can begin your journey of working from home.

2. Make a list of what needs to be done

A plan is a must-do task before the next day. Planning prepares your mind psychologically on what you are supposed to do. Set deadlines on specific tasks which you need to complete for accountability purposes.

Make a checklist and tick once you complete the stated tasks. Structure your day just as you would if you were in the office. This keeps you on your toes and helps you become more productive.

3. Dress for the occasion

Working from home is similar to going to the office only that the comfort is incomparable. Funny as it sounds, it could work in your favor to dress up as if you are going to the office. This helps the home office feel like a real office.

It does not mean you dress in formal clothes, just dress decently and avoid working when wearing your PJs.

4. Get a distraction nearby but out of sight

Working needs regular breaks. How do you plan your breaks? It could be after every two hours. What do you do during the breaks? Have something to keep you distracted so that you can relax your mind. It could be doing some light exercises, or just walking around or a game of Clash of Clans. Resting helps your mind relax and enables you to start afresh when you get back to work.

5. Choose your colors wisely

Color has everything to do with the mood you have when working. What are your favorite colors? What color makes you feel relaxed? How are your home office walls painted? Are they purple, white or orange? Get a color that increases the chances of your mind relaxing.

If your room colors make you feel like pulling out your hairs, then you need to change the colors. You could repaint if you own the house or ask the landlord if you can repaint if it’s a rental.

Lighting is also crucial to your mood. Ensure that enough light comes in during the day without glaring through the computer screen. You can also rearrange the office to help you have enough light.

6. Work away from home

As much as working from home is comfortable, get outside the comfort zone once in a while. Look for a coffee shop near your house that has free Wi-Fi and work from there. You could actually do more work there than when in the house. This helps increase your productivity levels.

Sometimes, saving for such expenses could work well financially to avoid debt. However, you may walk into a bank with the intention of opening a savings account, and the attendant tells you, you can’t because of your ChexSystems report. Upon ordering the report, you find inaccurate information. Here’s a guide on how to dispute chexsystems.

7. Set boundaries with friends and neighbors

Do you have those friends who don’t take your working from home seriously? Do they keep calling or popping in to make small talk? Friends and neighbors can be major distractors because they believe you should have time for them.

Set strict boundaries during your working time. Don’t pick calls even when they call you unless it’s an emergency. Have talks with your neighbors and make them know your working hours, so they don’t walk in when you are busy.

8. Avoid non-work-related appointments in the middle of the day

Doctors’ appointments are among the things that reduce your productivity during the day. Schedule appointments during the weekend (especially if you don’t work during weekends) to avoid disrupting your day unless it’s an emergency. You can also schedule them in at the end of the day when you complete your tasks.

If a home office is what makes you productive, then do it. Life is about going for the things we want and are passionate about.

Must visit places on your Bali trip

Bali is a beautiful Indonesian island famous for its temples, beautiful cities, rice terraces, and volcanoes. Apart from that, there are innumerable gift shops here, from where you can buy some really amazing stuff that you won’t find anywhere else. Bali is a mixture of various things. Here you will get a perfect island vibe as well as will get to visit national parks. There are endless things to do there and places to visit.

You can contact a trusted travel company for the Bali tour packages and can select the places of your choice. Here we are giving a list of places that you must visit in Bali, thus helping you out in selecting a package for you.

Gili Trawangan

The first place in this list is near to Bali and a part of the Gili islands. This is just 3 hours away from Bali and becomes the favourite destination of most of the tourists. One can reach there by riding a horse cart or by cycle. This place is best for those who want to chill on the beach and diving in the sea. To get the perfect island vibes, do pay a visit to Gili Trawangan whenever you pay a visit to Bali.

Pura bratan temple

Bali is called the home of temples and one of the most beautiful among all is the Pura Bratan temple. This is a water temple situated on the Shore of Bartan Lake. Local people come here to worship the river goddess Dewi Danu. They also worship different water bodies in this temple. It is very difficult to come to this place that is why there is no crowd over there. People do not come here just to worship, but to see the beauty of the place as well as it is surrounded by mountains from all the sides.

Ubud

Another place famous for being a hub for various temples in Bali is the city of Ubud. There are innumerable temples in this place. Along with this, the things that make this city more beautiful are its rice fields and monkey forest. The main city is a bit crowded, but these places are very less occupied, thus is best for some relaxed walks.

Sekumpul waterfalls

Along with the temples, Bali is known for some of the best serene beauties in the form of various natural creations. One of such things is the Sekumpul Waterfalls. Even if you are afraid of water, you love waterfalls. It just soothes your eyes and calms your soul. One can keep on staring a waterfall for hours. This waterfall located 2 hours away from Ubud, is a cluster of 7 waterfalls altogether. Once you reach the destination, you will have to do some trekking too, to enjoy this serene beauty. You will realize that every pain taken for this is worthy of what you get to see at the end. Not only the destination, but the journey is also beautiful as you will see local homes, rice terraces, jungles and many other beautiful things in the paths.

So, these were a few of the places that one cannot miss to visit on a trip to Bali.

Sous Vide – A Wonderful Cooking Method

Hi, I’m Abby, and my husband is James. I operate a food blog, and he has a meat distribution business. Together, we love food, ingredients, kitchen equipment, and every cooking method there is.

I have always loved cooking, but in my teenage years, I did not really know if I wanted to make a career out of it. I loved to experiment with different methods of cooking but without hi-tech equipment.

I remember being fascinated by sous vide and using an ice cooler as improvised pot. I also didn’t have a vacuum-sealer and used instead of the water displacement trick as an alternative. This is my sous vide story.

I saw sous vide on TV, and mostly, it is a cooking method where food is placed in food bags, dunked under water with perfectly controlled temperature and time, and when it’s done, the food is beautifully cooked and flavored.

Different foods, same benefits

Food is cooked so tender

Steaks and ribs are my favorite. I like to prepare short ribs braised for about 70 hours, at 136 degrees Fahrenheit. Another favorite is the beef sirloin steak tips, cooked for an hour at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. They literally just melt in your mouth.

Food is not directly placed under or over a fire but is cooked by the temperature of the water. Since the whole bag of food is submerged under water, it is cooked to be so tender, but not dry or flavorless.

Food is cooked evenly

All sides of the food is thoroughly cooked, with no side undercooked or the other side overcooked, which is a more common mistake when each side gets a turn on the grill or in the frying pan.

I like to put in shrimps or lobster tails inside a bag, add butter to it, and dip it into the sous vide bath. They will come out beautiful, moist, firm and very flavorful.

Food is flavorful

With the meats, I put in a dry rub or sometimes a marinade inside the bag itself, so as they slowly cook, the flavor seeps into the surfaces of the meat.

If you think sous vide is only for meats and chicken, you are so wrong. I like my carrots cooked the sous vide way, too. I put them inside the bag, stew them in their own juices at 183 degrees Fahrenheit, and they come out so tender yet crispy. I then give it a quick toss in the frying pan for the juices to be reduced to a glaze for more flavor.

Different tools, different stories

I didn’t start with my beautiful Anova, and Joule, or with my good FoodSaver sealer. I started as a teenager just grabbing anything in the kitchen.

What to do if you don’t have vacuum-sealer?

It is essential to remove the air from the bag since it affects the cooking time and the temperature. The best way to do it is using a vacuum-sealer, like the FoodSaver that I have now.

You put the bag inside a food bag with its marinade or with spices and dry rub. Vacuum-seal the bag to remove the air. With a proper vacuum sealer, this step is done fast and efficiently.

If you don’t have a vacuum-sealer, like me years ago, do what I did:

  • I got a zipper-lock freezer bag, put the foods inside, and then put the bag in a pot with water, making sure the open top does not get submerged.
  • I used my hands under water holding the bag and pushing out the water slowly.
  • I submerged the bag lower into the water, leaving only the top not overwhelmed, and when I couldn’t go any lower, and I’ve pushed out the air enough, I closed the zipper top.

This water displacement method may not be perfect but it is enough to get the sous vide done.

Use the immersion circulator

This is one equipment you really need to have. Put it inside the tub or pot.

It is the tool that heats the water, and where you set it at a specific temperature, for a precise length of time.

Options for containers

  1. You can get a water oven with a tub of its own but it takes up much space compared to a wand-type circulator.
  2. Or you can use any old stock pot as long as it is deep enough to hold water.
  3. Use a plastic container specifically for sous vide cooking, like a Rubbermaid plastic container that can be big enough for large family cooking.

If you are using an immersion circulator, try if you can clip it on the sides of your container. Otherwise, you would have to hold on to it for a long time. The best container would be the Rubbermaid that comes in two different sizes. It has provision to hold up the immersion circulator.

My favorite sous-vide tips:

Over the years, I have discovered a few hacks and tips, and I would like to share this with you:

  1. If you are using a dry rub of spices, put a little olive oil inside the bag so the meats will not eat into the plastic.
  2. After sous vide cooking, you can put the meat on the grill or a frying pan very quickly to give it some color. Straight from sous vide, it will look unappetizing in its gray-brown color.
  3. It is okay to use a big container, but the bigger it is, the longer time it will take the water to its desired temperature, so if you cook for just a small family of 5, you can get a small sized container instead.
  4. I use hot water from the faucet instead of cold, that way I reach the desired hot temperature faster.

Conclusion

Sous vide is not complicated at all. You don’t even need to say it right as the French do to learn how to do it.

I personally like doing sous vide because it is easy – put in a bag, vacuum seal, swim, set the temperature and time, and that is it. It does not take much effort, and while it is cooking (as it can take hours), I don’t even need to be there to check if it is overcooked. I can do other tasks while cooking.

Eventually, I also discovered Joule and an efficient app that alerts me on my phone when my sous vide are done.

Now, I do sous vide in our restaurant, and I still do it at home for my family. Different equipment and tools, different types of food, but all end up being delicious and juicy, enjoyed by everyone – family and customers alike.

Tips and Tricks to Get Children Interested in Mealtimes

Making food look appealing is just as important for children as it is for adults. Looking and thinking about food is one of the first stages of digestion. If food looks attractive and fun children are far more likely to want to eat it. Giving individual portions helps make food more appetising and can make a meal appear less challenging. Mini versions of traditional meals i.e. shepherd’s pie, baked in small dishes are always popular. Allow children to assemble their own food. Lay out a variety of ingredients for your children to put together. This works very well with pizza’s and wraps. Fruit chopped into bite sizes and placed on a skewer or a straw is another helpful approach.

Offer your child food that packs lots of nutrition into small doses. This is particularly good for toddlers who are often as active as rabbits but seem to eat as little as mice.

Nutrient rich foods that are attractive to children include avocados, pasta, broccoli, peanut butter, brown rice, potatoes, cheese, chicken, eggs, fish, sweet potatoes and greek yogurt.

Menus

Chatting to your children about food is great but that alone does not provide any experience. You could tell your three year old that Spinach will give them muscles like Popeye and that carrots will help them see in the dark however you will be competing with TV ads which may tell a different story. With both sides telling different tales about what food they should choose to put in their body, who will your child believe?

Involving your child in the process of planning what you should eat is an important step in raising healthy grubbers and children that accept what is on the plate for breakfast, dinner and lunch.

Give them choice

Giving your child a choice between green beans or broccoli can make them feel good about putting that particular veg onto their plate. Children look to decide what they put in to their own body, and giving them choice over food options is a wonderful step in stopping the need for them to tell you “no” just for the sake of telling you so.

Exposure is half the battle

Giving your child food options before it lands on their plate will assist with mealtime mania. Surprises are not for everyone, and especially food surprises. As well as creating ownership over the meal and reducing disappointment from dinnertime, it also makes favourite dishes come with a level of anticipation…great for the digestive juices.

Start with a simple choice

Do they want green beans or broccoli with dinner? These small options will allow them choices between ingredients that do not change the overall meal, but will feel like a small bit of ownership over the dish.

Go shopping together

Point out the vegetables they can choose from. Do you think we should have red or green cabbage for dinner tomorrow? Moving the choice towards the shopping experience opens up the possibilities more for them and it’s a wonderful time to talk about food options.

Cooking method

Once your child gets a sense for how choosing side dishes are done, start asking how they would like it cooked. Do they want to steam the broccoli or cook it in a casserole?  This helps explore new ways that they might like food that they previously thought they didn’t and it can help them think about how food taste and texture change depending on how they are prepared.

Planning Menus

Planning with your child can be great fun and when you make it part of your weekly routine your child will look forward to doing it regularly. It helps to spark an interest in what they are eating.

Plan a colourful dinner. Children are drawn to bright colours. Luckily bright coloured fruits and vegetables are not only delicious, but nutritious. Get your child to think of meal ideas including as many brightly coloured fruits and vegetables as possible.

Pull out cookbooks with colourful pictures or go online and find recipe websites that have pictures with each recipe. Ask your child to pick a few recipes that looks good based on the picture. Children are more likely to try something new if they see a picture that look good to them. For the younger children, cut out pictures of all different type of foods and make a scrapbook of different menus.

When the meal is over, chat about what your child liked and disliked about the food so that their comments can be taken into consideration for the next meal they plan.

Get Cooking

Children are more likely to eat their own cooking/baking, so, where appropriate let your picky eater help prepare the food. It can be a fun affair, however patience in coping with the helping hands from small children will often determine how much you are able to tolerate. Cookie cutters can be used to create edible designs out of foods like cheese, bread, thin meat slices or cooked lasagne. Get your child to tear and wash lettuce, wash potatoes or stir batter. Put batter in a squeeze bottle and let your child watch as you squeeze the batter onto the pan in fun shapes, such as heart, numbers, letter or even your child’s name. They can also be involved in setting the table, whether that is laying out mats for under the plates or setting out cutlery or crockery. When children are part of the preparation they are more likely to feel part of the meal too.

Here are some tips to try out when cooking with your kids!

Dress your child up in chef’s clothes, hats and aprons and allow him to get stuck in.

Children have short attention spans so give them quick and easy jobs.  Keep the instructions simple.  Give age appropriate duties

When children get excited they may forget steps

Young children need constant supervision

Expect spills and messes and give children jobs to help clean up

Again give plenty of praise for all attempts at cooking.

Focus on hygiene and safety and lay ground rules. Teach children to tie hair back, roll sleeves up and remove jewellery.

It is never too late to start involving children in your family meals. You will be making memories and teaching lifelong healthy habits at the same time.

Mealtimes are one of the keystones of family life. Whenever possible get the whole family eating together. This can make a difference where fussy eaters are concerned.  Show your child that mealtimes can be fun and relaxing and not a source of anxiety. Take time to chat, rather than focusing on what is on the plates. Talk about the events of the day. This will help to take the pressure off children who may feel that what – and how much – they eat is being scrutinized.

When you have small children it is important to make an effort to be consistent in this respect and that structured mealtimes are in place. Ensure that they are not too close together as children may not be hungry or too far apart as children may be snacking or have low blood sugars affecting their behaviour.

Give your child an advance warning when a meal is coming up. “Supper is in ten minutes, please finish up your game and wash your hands. Do not expect them to drop what they are dong and run to the table immediately. Give them time to prepare themselves for the change in activity.

Keep food servings age appropriate. Wondering how much to offer? A young child’s stomach is approximately the size of his fist. So serve small portions at first and refill the plate if your child asks for more. The less is more meal plan is more successful with the fussy eaters.

The “bite-rule” worked with my kids. “Take one bite, two bites….” (However far you think you can force it without force feeding). The bite rule at least gets your child to taste a new food, while giving her some control over the feeding.

Rules which are good life skills also:

Children should wash their hands before they eat

They should sit at a table and not run off and eat elsewhere

No meals in front of T.V.  Turn telly off during meal times

Children should stay at the table until you tell them they can be excused.  Be realistic!!

Please and thank you are important words to learn

Mealtimes are not only about getting the right amount of food into your children at the right time, they are opportunities when families sit down together, share the day’s news and enjoy each other’s company.

Explore the Laya Healthcare site for more information on family health insurance cover options or to get a health insurance quote online today.

Xiao Long Bao: The Soup Dumpling Craze Taking the Nation by Storm

 

xiao-lung-bao

(Image Credit: Xiao Long Bao at Dim Sum USA)

While many Chinese steamed dumplings are solid inside, Xiao Long Bao (XLB) is unique in that it is filled with steaming hot broth instead. The bite-sized dumplings, introduced in China in the middle of the 19th century, are popular in their country of origin as well as numerous other countries around the world.

The broth inside contains aspic and chefs sometimes mix it with crab or ground pork. Servers at restaurants present XLB to diners in the same bamboo steamer that the chef used to prepare them.

As the popularity of XLB spreads, food industry entrepreneurs are scrambling to open new restaurants to capitalize on this trend. Below are just some of the many new or upcoming restaurants that will make XLB an integral part of their menus.

Drunken Dumplings

When it opened in September of 2016, a restaurant called Drunken Dumplings located in New York’s East Village was the first to offer the XL Xiao Long Bao. This supersized offering is like the Big Mac of American fast food. Rather than the bite-sized morsel of an appetizer that diners are accustomed to, the XL XLB is a mega dumpling served in a bowl. Although it has attracted huge interest, restaurant owner Yuan Lee has had to limit the creation and serving of this extra-large dish to just 25 per day due to the time and labor intensity it takes to create a single piece.

Paradise Dynasty to Open Restaurant in Los Angeles in Early 2019

Paradise Dynasty, a restaurant chain known for its XLB and other soup dumplings, plans to open its first restaurant in the United States early next year. The restaurant chain is famous for serving unique and colorful soup dumplings in eight different varieties.

However, its most famous dish is a dumpling featuring black truffles, foie grass, and dough with a black hue. Although it will be entering a popular restaurant market, the Los Angeles area is not yet saturated with eateries serving XLB and it many variations.

Paradise Dynasty looked to a mega restaurant chain called Din Tai Fung for its inspiration. Din Tai Fung currently operates 160 Chinese restaurants worldwide with 11 of them located in the United States. It also plans to infiltrate the West Coast of the United states with new restaurants planned for San Diego, California and Portland, Oregon.

A Restaurant Called XLB Serving Mainly XLB

In late 2017, former food blogger Jasper Shen opened the aptly-named XLB Restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Unlike many of his competitors who serve an Americanized version of popular Chinese dishes, Shen personally ensures that each item served by his restaurant is authentically Chinese. He does this so his relatives from China will approve of the food and because he remembers Americanizing the dishes when he worked in the Chinese restaurants of his uncles as a boy. His restaurant also offers several other authentic Chinese dishes including stir fries and mushrooms, black bean noodles and seafood, and steamed boas with pork or cabbage.

With more new authentic Chinese restaurants that serve XLB popping up all the time, it’s clear that the real winner is the American diner looking for a non-traditional experience.