Black cat

Bento No. 142

Today is Halloween Day.  I told my son I made a black cat bento to mark the occasion.  Then I asked him if he knows what is Halloween and I got an straight answer "yes".  I was puzzled if he really knows what it means.  We do not celebrate Halloween day in our family.  He probably picked up from his schoolmates or teachers.  This little black cat is cut from nori and I placed it on the tamogoyaki. He has his usual california roll, edamame and grapes.  Notice I have peeled the skin off from the grapes. Because its layer of wax on the grapes is rather distasteful this time.   Too health conscious?? Maybe.

I have a sleepless night yesterday.  My poor boy hyper-sensitive nose is back again with  lots of mucus in it and blocked.  He did not sleep well too with continuous toss and turns on the bed until dawn. The medication he is taking seems to lost its effect now. How I wish he can be completely cured.

Aeroplane

Bento No. 141

I am sure this does not look like aeroplane.  But my boy disagrees with me.  I wanted to make a black cat for the halloween theme but instead, my son wanted an aeroplane. I left it as it is because I did not have time to re-do it.  He has fried egg with french bean, steamed meat patty with young ginger, a cherry tomato and papaya.

Time flies, it is the last term of the school.  I can't wait to see my boy performs in the Annual Graduation Concert and Ribbons Ceremony on 10 December 2011.  Last year, it was held at Methodist Girls' School campus and this year, it is at The Threatrette at Singapore Post Centre.  I was totally impressed with the concert last year because it was super entertaining watching the little ones performed on stage. 

Transformer

Bento No. 140





I cut the shape of transformer on a tracing paper the night before and keep it as a template for this morning use.  After I finished cutting on the nori, I assembled the pieces onto the emmental cheese. But I think I should stick it closer instead.  Why transformer? Because our neighbour has a bright yellow car with a very large and distinctive logo on it.  Whenever my son passed by, he recognised the logo and said loudly "Look, transformer Mommy!".   Hence, the idea come about making one for him.  I tried a few types of burger look alike bread/bun and yet to find one that he likes it (other than those found in fast food where he can eat almost the whole of burger).  I bought his wholemeal soft bread roll from Delifrance.  I put a piece of oven-baked halibut, topped with a slice of tomatoe and iceberg lettues.  Spread some mayo and ketchup for taste. On the sides, he has baked garlic fries, grapes, oranges and a packet of mini-size milo.  He is so happy and satisfied with his lunch that he carried all by himself to school (not letting me to touch a bit ;)

We found a little surprise on our car.  A small green grasshopper on the boot!  My son asked me if he can touch it.  I was like  Err........??  In the end, he did not.hehe..

I have been reading a lot about white fish fillet lately and quite astounding to find some fishes like grouper, snapper, Alantic salmon, cod, sea bass contains mercury that small children should avoid it. Halibut is one of them too. My boy has threadfin in his porridge almost everyday when he was a baby. Until he is older than 2yo, he began to eat everything on the dinner table. I also become more adventurous in preparing his food when he reached 3yo. Too much fish would expose him to potential mercury intoxification?? Gosh! Thank god, he grows up healthy and fit.



Pokemon

Bento No. 139

This pokemon is made of egg sheet.  He has fried mee hoon with chicken breast, cabbage, carrot and mushroom today.  Plus dragonfruit and grapes on the top tier of the bento box.

Expert says breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Our kind of morning breakfast usually consist of either bread or cereal.  And only on weekends or public holidays, we treat ourselves to Burger King or Dim Sum.  Mmmm, tomorrow is a public holiday.  What should we have for tomorrow breakfast?  

Tuna salad sushi

Bento No. 138

I re-arranged the tuna sushi and tamagoyaki to create a pattern.  Then I put a monkey foodpick in one red grape.  I told my son that he has to use his imagination to visualise what is inside in this bento.  Tricky! But he is quick to reply "It is a monkey robot!".  Alright, I am thinking in my heart, maybe I could make something like transformer next time.

We are looking forward to Sanku and her family visit this coming November. So is my boy, especially.  He can't wait to meet his cousins, William and Jessica.  And he has already planned the itinerary for them.  Needless to say, all his favourite hunts; Zoo, birdpark, botanical children garden.  Of course, we are going to Singapore latest attraction i.e. Universal Studio. Counting down....;)

Ladybug



Bento No. 137

I was wondering what is missing for this ladybug?  Its head!   It is made of two type of cheese.  I did not pack any rice for my boy's lunch today.  Just ginger pork, steamed/baked sweet potato, blanched green peas, grapes and green kiwi.  I added some bowtie pasta to resemble butterfly.

Initially, I wanted to make some grilled/baked white fish fillets like those serve in Fish & Co since I had purchased two packets of sutchi (cat)fish fillet from NTUC or called Pangas, Basa.  This type of fish is dirt cheap because it cost less than $4 for two packets each with three sizable slice of fillets.  After browsing the internet for more information about this type of fillet, I decided to forgo the idea.  Why?  It contains no nutrition value other than for the taste.   After reading the below, I am contemplating to throw it away.  Wasteful but........erm...  I have to think twice now before I order fish and chips next time.

Quote: Pangasius Hypothalmus is a species of Asian freshwater catfish. They get a bad name in some circles, as they are bottom feeders, and will feed on whatever is available.... even if it's human waste in contaminated backwaters.Unquote

Dinosaurs - Stegosaurs



Bento No. 134

 I made this stegosaurs this morning for my boy's lunch.  Orange cheddar cheese for its plates and chicken hotdog for its legs and spots on its body.  I also packed some carrots, cucumber, cherry tomato and grapes as well.  I like it but my boy is full of criticism; face not looking correct, plates is not right, no spots on its body,..etc.  The only thing right for him is the spike on its tail which I inserted two musical foodpicks onto the bread.  Oh boy!  He has grown up so fast!  Probably too fast that I have forgotten he was no longer a baby ;P 

Whilst we were having breakfast this morning, I asked my son if he will take care of Mommy when we grow old. He just said 'No' honestly. Very disappointed and sad :(   One of the Chinese vitures is filial(孝), a respect for the parents and ancestors. He obviously does not have any now and I hope, he will learn in future.

I made two other bento this week; left is fried yellow rice with mix vegetable and char siew, right is soba noodles with blanched caixin, carrot, fresh shitaki mushroom and gyoza. 


Bento No. 135



Bento No. 136





Thoughts: House and Education

Last week, we went to check out an Executive Condomium (EC) and a DBSS HDB near our home.  Despite warning of gloomy economy, it does not stop people from buying properties.  In fact, the value of property market is in the peak now! A 5-room HDB flat can cost $670k onwards and a 4-beded EC can set you back a million dollar. Why we decided to take a look now?  Simple because, we used to have any empty State Land in front of our house that provide some recreation such as flying kites, aeroplanes, picnics, cricket for the residents here.  And, I can see the sunrise in the morning and full moon at night.  The site has now become a gigantic construction site making way for three housing estates.  All these housing projects in close vicinity are due to complete in 2014.  I think the Government is anxious to right the market sentiments and fill up the gap that people are complaining there are not enough housing available which was one hot area during the Election. 

We live in the heartlands all our life.  To upgrade to condomium would be wishful dream and a thought that always cross our minds.  How different it is to stay in heartlands and private housing?  We are told that in private estate, it is the security that can keep our kids in a safe haven and give the parents a peace of mind.   And, would the environment really matter to a kid's growing up?  The  same logic also goes for enrolling our child into a premium preschool and government preschool.  Will the quality be better in premium preschool in Singapore context?  We want the best things in life and likewise for our child.  I begin to ask myself if it is pure vanity in pursuit of 'better lifestyle' or should we be contented to remain status quo.

Salmon sushi

Bento No. 133

My boy has very congested blocked nose and cough since the beginning of last Friday.  It started end of September where he has a blocked nose so bad that he snored loudly in his sleep.  He was recovered after a week and now back again.  We brought him to see the pediatrician and spent $137 medical bills for consultation.  He was prescribed with Charityne for nose, salbutamol to open up his airways, Rhinathiol promethazine for the cough that occur in the evening and night and lastly, nasal spray.  I did not want him to use the nasal spray last year although it is a mild steroid spray according to the pediatrician.  I have no choice now because my boy complained of difficulty to breathe at night, tossed and turned all the times.  It is painful to see him not getting a good sleep and breathing heavily.  In addition, it will affect his development if the brain is not receiving enough oxygen.

His symptons often got worse nearer the end of the year and during the haze period.  And I recalled a vacation away from home kind of a relief for his running nose.  Perhaps, we should plan a short trip to Malaysia. 

So much of my boy's condition. Here is a simple bento that consisted of baked salmon sushi with cucumber, chicken hotdog octopus, blanched edamame, grapes and green kiwi.

Walrus

Bento No. 132

Recently, we borrowed a book titled "Super Swimmers" from the National Library.  One of the animals that he also learned in school is'Walrus'.  We are familiar with sea lion and seal but little is known about Walrus. They are recognised by its prominent long tusks and are often found in the Arctic Circle. Their favourite meal is shellfish.   I used two type of cheese to make its muzzle and tusk and the facial with seaweed.  I actually made a 3D version of it using brown rice initially but abandoned the idea because I have difficulty fitting it into the lunchbox.  The sides, he has meatballs, blanched carrot, broccolli, apple and nectarine.

Pokemon



Bento No. 131

 Does it look like Pokemon?  I guess not so.  It looks like pokemon junior..haha..  I told my boy it is a robot rabbit but he told me that is a pokemon ;)  It is made of fishball and crabstick. Since he requested for brown noodles, I stir-fried some beanstick noodles and added black soya sauce to create the colour.  I also included some blanched broccolli, carrots and tofu.  His fruits consist of orange and white nectarine.

Butterfly and sushi

Bento No. 130

I need some beauty sleep!  Wake up in the morning, feeling lethargic.  Shortly after, I heard a loud thunder and it started to rain heavily.  My pet dog, Nitro, a shih tzu breed, was petrified.  He was trying to escape through the baby barrier gate we installed between the living and dining room, squeezing his little head between the poles.  He was stucked and literally tangling mid-way through the barrier. Knowing he cannot move, he began to weep.  Nitro will outsmart all kinds of barrier we put up during the rainy season. To the extent, I fear that he might get hurt by his dangerous actions. On the other hand, Nitro is my weatherman.  He shows sign by sniffing the air, tail down, and shivers.

Back to bento, my son has his usual sushi lunch.  I made a butterfly using two pieces tamagoyaki and strip of cucumber.  He got oranges and white nectarine for his fruits.

Whale and mantou 馒头

Bento No. 129

I am kind of running out of idea what to prepare for his lunchbox.  Whilst I was shopping at the NTUC fairprice supermarket yesterday, I saw an Auntie reached out for a packet of frozen mantou.  Curiously, I stood beside her pretending to buy it.  Then, we striked a conversation and learnt that her three kids love mantou and favour a particular brand i.e. 'Chinatown'. Later, I bought it.  This would be my boy's first taste of mantou.

Sandwiched in the mantou are breaded chicken spread with tomato sauce and mayo plus slices of tomato and cucumber.  I placed a whale shape cheese and wrapped it together with cling wrap.  I baked some fries sprinkled with paparika and salt to be added in his lunch too.  He has papaya for his fruits.  On top of it, he gets his mango yogurt.   It is a East meet West combination!

Ambulance

Bento No. 128

I remembered my boy's request for an ambulance bento. I granted his wish today.  It is made of white rice onigiri stuffed with baked salmon.  The siren is made of carrot, nori for the facial, cucumber for its wheels and cheese for its windscreens.  When I looked at my finished product, I felt that there is something amiss.  I could not tell what it is.  My son has fried long bean with egg, baked salmon, blanced carrot and green kiwi.

There are times I will allow my son to help me in the kitchen to do simple chores.  And we did yesterday!  Because he did not like the idea of leaving him alone to play by himself whenever I said "Mommy has to cook dinner.  You need to play on your own now."  He will refused to let me go and cried.  So, to pacify him, I asked him to help in the kitchen.  His task was to separate the leaf and stem from the caixin.  Happily, he put on his doremon apron, pulled a round stool to stand and started working on the kitchen top.  I must say that he did it quite well, no mess up at all.  Good job!  And, of course, he grinned with satisfaction and played on his own afterwards.

Piggy

Bento No. 127

I had a terrible headache today and really could not think creativity to make his bento.  Probably due to hot weather yesterday.  Hence, I made a little piggy out of orange cheddar cheese for its face and yellow cheese for its snort.  My boy has sphagetti with tomato sauce for his lunch today.   Plus green kiwi and oranges.

In front of my house, there is a gigantic construction site paving way for three housing estates!  There goes my view of sunrise and sunset :(  I will definitely miss it.  Other residents will miss the opportunity to fly kites and aeroplanes which they have been doing so in this empty plot of land.

Tamago sushi

Bento No. 126

I swap the ingredients for making sushi.  Instead of having baked salmon sushi, I put tamago instead.  Well, my boy still has his baked salmon but as a side dish.  For the rest of tamagoyaki, I cut into half and put two pieces together to make it a heart shape.  In the end, I abandoned the idea because it does look like hearts at all.  I used a green stalk foodpick and skewed it together to form a flower.  Then I added the edamame, grapes and kiwi to complete his lunchbox.  In th midst of doing so, my son suddently approached me and said that he wanted a ambulance bento.  That will be the theme for his bento tomorrow perhaps.

1st October was children day but somehow, this year, it has shifted to the first Friday of October that falls on 7th.  We did not really celebrate the occasion but I bought him a gift i.e. 50 pieces of animal puzzle.  And he completed the puzzle all on his own without help!