Digital Detox

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For me this is one of the MUST DOs in modern life, every few months. Having two toddlers, managing a home and on top of it all doing Blogging is just not an easy task.

Don’t get me wrong, I am blessed to be living this life but I do get my lows and when that happens I have to take a BREAK.
My style of digital detox is not only just my phone, for me it is cutting out any kind of screen time and instead I focus mainly on spending quality time with family, and even just on my own.

Doing a digital detox really helps me to focus and reflect on work and it always makes me realize all the positives that I have in my life, but because I am overwhelmed, have been ignoring.

It can be work related or personal.

I strongly believe that if you are mentally clear on whatever you want in life, it comes to you.

The “blogging world” brings with it a lot of pressure: How good should my blog look? How much am I putting into it? Always thinking that someone else is doing better than me, etc.
It can really get into your head and that’s when I seriously think of having a little break.

A Digital Detox doesn’t really need to be a week; sometimes for me it is only a day or a weekend. I have even taken 2 months off too because of my health and I don’t regret it.

It’s all about shutting yourself away from all the outside influences of social media, screens and the constant updating, and just focus on what you are living or going through at that very moment. It highlights all the small things I usually miss out or probably just ignore because I am so occupied.

After doing one I find myself more motivated to restart the work/life. So don’t just take my word to it, I highly recommend you to try it and make it part of your life.

Author: Saba Shoaib, Mummy and Blogger @thebeautybarbysaba

Must have baby essentials for a second-time mom

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Do I Really Need More Stuff?

Oh, I bet the first time around you took the time to read and invest in all the baby stuff/gear you thought you’d need, but some items you never used..

The second time around you are more likely to invest in things that are essential must-haves and made your life easier during your first-born.
All those things you actually put to good use.

Granted, once you’ve had a child, you don’t need quite as much the second time around, that’s if you actually had additional space to save it all.
In my case I got rid of everything because of lack of space, also being an expat means additional load when moving homes.

On the other hand, if you have all the basics taken care of, now may be a great time to invest in some of those “extra” things that you know will make life easier as a mother of more than one child.
Here’s my list of top 5 must haves for a second-time mum:

#1 Baby Carrier or Wrap

First time around it was easier with just having to take care of one. Now with two in tow you’ve got to care for a new born and take care of a toddler/preschooler that means trying to get school pick-ups, lunches, homework and playtime all with a new born in hand.
I Recommend Ergobaby aura wrap or Ergobaby 360

#2 Bedside crib

This helps make those late-night feeds easier especially when you’re going to be sleep deprived most of the time. For my first born I had a crib and realized I kept waking up for feeds and in between to check if he was ok. Finally, we removed one railing and joined it to our bed.
I Recommend chicco next to me or https://www.justkidding-me.com/childhome-bedside-crib This will also help keep your baby safe when your first born decides to climb into your bed or needs additional attention when sick.

#3 High-Quality Breast Pump

If for some reason you don’t have one already it’s worth the investment especially if your planning to breastfeed your little one and go back to work or you’re a stay at home mum.

I Recommend Madela freestyler it comes fully loaded with everything you’ll need for double/single pumping, whether you’re at home or on the go. Its adjustable suction strength, backlit digital display and rechargeable battery are a winner.

#4 Car seat

Ah yes now you’re going to have not one but two car seats. My first born had a Britax first class car seat that we used right up till he was 2yrs and had to invest in another car seat. I would recommend getting one that grows with your child, it is more economical and avoids the hassle of having to buy another one in a year.
I Recommend Chicco nextfit ix zip you can unzip and clean the cover and it grows with your baby.

#5 Swaddle wraps, nursing cover and burp cloths

Swaddle wraps makes swaddling so much easier especially when you have a wriggly one. First time around we used swaddle cloths and within seconds my little one had wrestled and freed his tiny self. The stretch light fabric and Velcro flaps makes it easier to use. I recommend investing in a swaddle that can be used as the baby grows, has an easy access to change diaper while the baby is sleeping and extra legs space.
I Recommend Ergo swaddle or Swaddle me

Author: Amanda Dias

The Bond That Breastfeeding Created

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I am a nursing mother of two young children, my eldest daughter has just turned two and my youngest is two months old. My journey to this point has been full of joy, determination, sleepless nights and long warm milky cuddles.
When you fall pregnant for the first time, there are so many things that you think about. Boy or girl, breast or bottle, natural or c-section. It’s a lot to take in, it is overwhelming and as moms it is us and only us that can decide on what we feel is best for our children. I chose to breastfeed, no one forced me, and it is a decision I made after doing tons of research and asking other moms what worked for them.
When Leila, my eldest daughter was born, she latched onto my breast just a few minutes after birth. It was a special moment and I knew from the very beginning that I had made the right choice. Within the first two weeks I endured cracked, bleeding nipples, mastitis and horrible fevers. So many times I just wanted to give up and give her a bottle. I experienced low milk supply and had to take supplements to increase it so that I could maintain enough milk to keep her fed. Although, there are breast pumps available in the market to produce more milk, I was determined to continue and as time went on, it got easier and the bond between me and my daughter was unbreakable.

I was told by so many people that I should not be nursing my toddler while I was pregnant with my second daughter, but I chose to listen to by body and continued under the supervision of my doctor. In fact, because I continued breastfeeding during my pregnancy I did not have any problems with feeding my newborn; it was a smooth and easy transition. It was my plan to stop breastfeeding Leila when Luna was born because I was scared that I would not produce enough, or the right consistency of milk for my newborn, but a very wise lactation consultant assured me that I would still be able to continue feeding both girls and that my body would provide for each of their needs individually.
I truly believe that breastfeeding is nature’s way of showing us how amazing a mom really is. It is truly wonderful to know that my body has the ability to create life, give life and nourish life. Wherever your journey with your children takes you, may it be magical.

How to make lunchboxes less of a chore…

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However enthusiastic you are about food the daily lunchbox can break even the brightest of spirits. Life as a parent is already too busy to cook elaborate lunchbox ﬁllings but that doesn’t mean they need to be dull and boring. I look to achieve just three things in my daughters’ lunchboxes: colour, freshness and simplicity. Once you focus on this ethos the daily lunchbox won’t feel like such a chore and you might even get a bit creative.
Firstly, what needs to go in your lunchbox?

1. start with carbs.

Carbohydrates such as bread or pasta should make up the back bone of the lunchbox. Don’t stress too much about this being boring or ‘samey’, children need fuel and energy to make sure they can concentrate and enjoy school or nursery. I like to add a little bit of fun by cutting sandwiches into shapes with cookie cutters as in this pink Monbento box or making cheesy quesadillas into little men (see my step-by-step in pictures below).

You’ll be amazed by how much your children will respond to something just cut, folded or arranged into a different shape and the Monbento range adds an extra element of discovery too with the different layers and boxes which my children love exploring.

2. add protein.

I aim to provide 2-3 different forms of protein per week. Make life easy though and boil eggs in advance at the weekend, use leftovers, use cured meats and ﬁsh (and remember protein can also come from pulses so hummus sprinkled with a few chickpeas also counts). I often serve hummus with the cheesy quesadilla men above and a ‘rainbow pot’ of fruit and veg to dip.)
My daughters also love leftover patties (meat, ﬁsh, veggie, whatever you have!) in ‘tacos’- just cut out a couple of small circles from a tortilla and fold them neatly into you box- top with the patties with avocado, tomato, sweetcorn + cheese (in the image below I’ve packed them with a popcorn snack and strawberry infused water in a Skiphop insulated bottle).

3. add 2-3 portions of fruit + veg.

Eating the rainbow is my number one mantra. No-one likes all fruits and vegetables but by looking to consume a variety of ‘colours’ from the rainbow you ensure that your family are getting as many vitamins and minerals into their bodies as possible.

The fruit and vegetable wheels below include my favourite lunchbox ﬁllers and on a daily basis I make sure that my daughters’ lunchboxes capture at least 2-3 ‘colours’ and that they have around 2 handfuls of fruit and vegetables.

4. and a little something extra…..

Once you’ve covered the carbohydrate, protein, fruit and veg I generally add in an extra snack which provides additional nutrients and minerals and supports one of the main food groups already discussed. Our favourites include hummus, popcorn, dried fruit, fruit smoothies (or infused water) and homemade ﬂapjacks or nut free energy balls.
With all the food groups covered all you need to do now is aid yourself with a few simple methods to help encourage your children to get involved.

Empower them

Getting your children involved in the daily lunchbox not only helps you out but also makes them feel empowered in choosing what you are adding. If you don’t want them to actually choose the speciﬁc foods that go in then just let them put it in the containers or choose what ‘colours’ they want that day. My daughters love getting involved with their fortnightly pasta salad- just cook some extra pasta and drizzle with olive oil. After dinner put a variety of toppings on the table and ask them to choose 2-3 to go with their pasta. Let them sprinkle it over or put it in pots so they can assemble at school. Our favourite toppings are: tomatoes, roasted peppers, peas, leftover roasted squash, sweetcorn, broccoli, cheddar cheese and mini mozzarella but anything goes!

DIY lunches

Children love to feel in control so try just putting the separate components of their lunch in the box and let them discover how they want to eat them together- this allows them to get involved and experiment with food. For children cautious about mixing food the Yumbox is great at separating the components but allowing them to see how they work together. The box below has all the components of a chicken + apricot couscous salad with watermelon + yoghurt drizzled with honey for dessert but by separating them out it seems less scary and enables them to identify each separate ingredient and explore it in their own time.

Be Adventurous

Children’s behaviour changes vastly in different environments so lunch boxes are a great way to expose them to new foods that they don’t normally try at home. Don’t go too far out of their comfort zone but present new foods in fun ways alongside foods they already enjoy.
Don’t stress

Children are largely sensory driven and respond to textures, colours and shapes in different ways at different times in their development so don’t stress or take it personally if they don’t eat something at ﬁrst- its not the end of the world- try that food in a different way in a few weeks and you may be surprised by the result.

Please get in contact with any questions or even some fun lunchbox ideas!

Lyndsay@ieatmypeas.com

Essential Gear for Travelling with Babies and Toddlers

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With the Eid break over, it’s now time to get ready for summer and the annual summer exodus, when many families resident in the Middle East take the opportunity to escape the heat and travel home to see loved ones or head off on adventures in cooler climes. Travelling with babies and toddlers can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first time travelling with children or your first time travelling with multiple children, or the scariest of all – travelling alone with multiple children!! Being prepared both mentally and practically makes all the difference and having the right gear to hand can make or break your travel experience.

I’m Harkee, a British expat mother of two and parenting blogger at AS they grow. I’m delighted to have been invited by Just Kidding to share with you the travel essentials that I’ve relied on over the last 6 years of traveling with my young family (including 14 hour flights from Australia alone with two young ones that don’t sleep much!) Many of these items can be used over a number of years so are a very worthwhile investment into both your travel experience and your sanity!

Baby Zen Yoyo

I will start with what I consider to have been one of the best travel investments I have ever made and that is a compact collapsable buggy that will fit in the airplane overhead baggage storage. Do not underestimate the value of being able to push your child through a busy airport right up to the airplane door and having that buggy right to hand the minute you step off the plane to make the dash to passport control and the luggage belt. No more waiting around with a tired, cranky toddler for your buggy to come off the luggage belt and wondering if it survived the journey. Babies might seem small but, when you have to carry them while trying to juggle multiple passports and lift suitcases off a moving belt, suddenly such small beings can pose a big difficulty. It’s much easier to have a safe place to strap them in where they can easily nap if they want to. The Baby Zen Yoyo is one of the most well know airplane approved buggies and can also be used as a compact stroller throughout your whole trip. There are also various handy accessories available for it such as a ride on board for a toddler or child, car seat adapters and an insect shield perfect for those tropical holidays.

Mountain Buggy Bagrider

I also love the look of the new Mountain Buggy Bagrider which is suitable for babies from when they can sit confidently unassisted to around age 3, if that had been around when my kids were younger I’m pretty sure I would have bought it for transporting them through the airport and they would have loved it. I showed it to one of my friends and she bought it straight away so I’m looking forward to seeing it in action this summer – I have always found Mountain Buggy products to be sturdy and easy to manouvre and this seems to be the same.

Ergo

Another essential bit of kit for getting a baby or young toddler around an airport is a baby carrier and I always travelled with my Ergo. When travelling alone with a newborn and a toddler it was a god send to be able to strap my baby to me and push my toddler in the compact buggy. Airports and airplanes can be busy, scary, overwhelming places for babies and toddlers and baby carriers allow a child to feel comforted by close physical contact with a parent while allowing the parent to keep their hands free to deal with everything that needs to be dealt with. Thick, comfy, adjustable straps, a head support for a sleeping baby and handy little pockets as well as different options for carrying position makes the Ergo carrier a safe comfortable ride for both the child and the parent. I used mine right into toddlerhood throughout airports, onboard planes for hours of walking up and down the aisles bouncing an unsettled child and of course at my destination as well. A baby carrier is particularly handy if you are travelling somewhere where you will be using public transport a lot as it can be more difficult hopping on and off buses and trains with a buggy.

Swaddle Designs 4 pack

The most multi-functional item I always travel with is a set of large muslin cloths. These have so many uses, from nursing cover to buggy shade, light shade, bed sheet or blanket, to mop cloth, burp cloth, changing mat and more besides. Airplane seats and blankets are usually cleaned with harsh detergents that aren’t particularly kind to babies’ soft skin. The one time I didn’t place a muslin underneath him, my son reacted to the seats and since then I’ve made sure to place the protective barrier over the seat or bassinet. The Swaddle Designs 4 pack of large muslins would be perfect for this.

Skip Hop Suite Diaper Back Pack

For my carry-on bag I always forgo a handbag or shoulder bag and opt for a backpack for both comfort and convenience. Ideally one with lots of pockets to separate the things you need, like the Skip Hop Suite Diaper Back Pack which not only looks stylish but also comes with a travel change mat, paci pocket, stroller straps, bottle bag and packing cube, all handy accessories for travel. As soon as the kids were old enough to carry their own little backpacks I got them one each for travelling and going out and about at our destination. They can fill these with their toys and entertainment for the flight and maybe a few snacks – just don’t forget to check what they packed – I remember wondering why my son’s bag was so heavy one trip only to discover he’d filled it full of wooden train toys!! Just kidding has a wide range of back packs so you can pick one suitable to the size of your child and their likes. My pick would be the backpacks from A Lovely Little Company for the many pockets, especially the side ones perfect for a water bottle, not to mention their cuteness!

A Lovely Little Company Backpack

One of the things I get most anxious about when travelling with the kids is food. It was easier when they were nursing newborns but as fussy eating toddlers I always needed to make sure I had plenty of their favourite things to hand. Stacking pots like the Skip Hop Food Storage Tower are perfect for packing a variety of foods but also practical for snacking on the go. Pack some snacks for you as well – inevitably the baby will need all your attention just as the onboard meals are about to be served and you might miss out!

Skip Hop Food Storage Tower

As well as the gear there is also the basics you need to pack like wipes (I always packed an already open pack that was half used so it wasn’t so heavy to carry), nappies (I split these out into a few in the nappy pouch (or just a ziplock bag) which I can just grab and take to the loo and a back up stash in the bag to refill) and nappy sacks which can be handy not only for nappies but also any soiled or wet clothing. Talking of soiled or wet clothing, don’t forget to pack a change of clothing for you and your partner as well as the little ones as you are likely to be caught in the line of any fire!

Of course the most important thing to be sure to take with you is a bucket full of patience, a sense of humour and the knowledge that no matter how difficult the journey, you will get to your destination eventually and the family time out of the summer desert heat will all be worth it!!

Have a great summer everyone and safe travels!

Harkee x

6 Ways to educate your children about Ramadan

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Making Ramadan fun for kids is not as hard as you might think it is. Here are six ways to celebrate Ramadan with your children.

1.Read with your childrenbooks, which cover Ramadan so they understand the principles and the history of the Holy month for Islam.

2.Decorate your home for Ramadan with stars and crescent moons. Besides a freshly decorated home, your children will understand that the holiday is for as long as the decorations are there, you can even create a countdown to make Ramadan even more exciting.

3.During Ramadan greet each other with ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ or ‘Ramadan Kareem’ meaning ‘blessed Ramadan’. It’s just a way of welcoming friends and passerby’s alike during this holy time.

4.Involve your children during all the preparations for the holiday: they will understand and remember the month better if they’re doing something for it. For example if you are not fasting yourself, but are attending Iftar’s with friends or colleagues take your children along, so they can witness and participate in the event, and understand the concept of not eating until Iftar.

5.Doing something for Ramadan could also mean making Ramadan related crafts. You can find some great crafts on the internet, we’ve created a pinterest board especially for Ramadan.

6.And last, but definitely not least: enjoy a festive Eid Al-Fitr, if you have been fasting, you’ve earned it.

Understanding Ramadan as a Child

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We spoke to our team member Radwa Ali to discover her experiences growing up and learning about Ramadan.

When did you first start to understand Ramadan?

Growing up Radwa saw her parents fasting every Ramadan. Around the age of 8 I started imitating them when they were praying, even if I didn’t understand what they were doing. The same with fasting: I saw my parents not eating during the day, so I tried not to eat for as long as possible either. It started like that and from there on it became little habits.

What was Ramadan like as a kid?

Ramadan was really fun as a kid, it was such an experience. Growing up as a girl especially, I helped my mom a lot. She would start her day by thinking what she would make for Iftar that evening and spend the whole day preparing. During preparation of Iftar I learned how to cook certain dishes. I always liked spending time with my mom during Ramadan food shopping, cooking and preparing for Iftar

At Iftar we always had a lot of visitors: friends, family or colleagues of my dad that maybe didn’t have wives living with them to cook. The spirit of Ramadan for me is bringing people together and that is what makes Ramadan so beautiful. In high school my whole class would raise money to buy food to give to those in need. Coming together and doing so much good is just something you don’t see enough of outside of Ramadan.

What’s your childhood memory of Ramadan?

My childhood memory of Ramadan is hearing the Adhan, because the prayer is so much louder and all the mosques go at the exact same time, which is so beautiful. Our whole home was always decorated with stars and the moon, you would see them everywhere.

I was raised in Saudi-Arabia, during Ramadan they would set up special souks there. These souks are different from the mall-like here in Dubai. There was one souk in particular that my family would visit during Ramadan. This souk sold all sorts of stuff, including Ramadan sweets and related stuff.

How did you experience Eid as a kid?

During the last 10 days of Ramadan, families start getting ready for Eid. My mother used to change the whole interior of our Saudi home, from furniture to curtains. Together with her friends my mother would make a lot of Eid cookies, my share of cookies was always gone fast because they were so delicious!

The morning of Eid we would wake up to the smell of oud, an Arabian perfume. My parents would come in and wish us a happy Eid. We would get up and get dressed for the occasion. Then my dad would come up to us and give us some money, which we call ‘Eideya”. He wouldn’t only give money to us, but to every family’s child we visited. It’s a part of the giving tradition; you can’t visit someone’s home empty-handed. The rest of Eid we would spend receiving guests and visiting friends and family’s homes ourselves. Sometimes we went to a theme park or some other fun activity to celebrate Eid.

The more you grow up the more you learn from your family and Ramadan becomes something that’s a spiritual journey.

Winter Travel Safety Tips

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Travel Checklist Before Hitting The Road

Britax Winter Travel Safety Tips

We know that you want your little ones to stay cozy during the winter months, but big coats can affect the fit of the car seat harness during travel.

Even though the harness may seem snug on your child while wearing a coat, in the event of a crash, the coat could compress, creating slack in the harness that allows your child to move about in the seat.

So how can you keep your baby safe and comfortable during this chilly weather?

Start with the Pinch Test

First, it’s important to know how to tell if your child’s harness is tight enough, whether they’re wearing a winter coat or a t-shirt. To make sure your child’s harness is snug enough, perform the simple Pinch Test before you start your travel:

Secure your child in the car seat and buckle the harness as usual.
Using your thumb and pointer finger, try to pinch one of the harness straps at your child’s collar bone level.

If you’re able to pinch the strap, the harness is too loose. You should not be able to pinch any excess webbing.

Check the tightness of the harness strap every time you buckle children into their car seats, especially when they are wearing heavy coats.

Check your child’s coat

Now you know what a properly snug harness looks like. You can check if your child’s coat is acceptable to wear in a car seat:

Secure your child in the car seat while wearing the coat in question.
Properly tighten the car seat harness around your child until the harness webbing cannot be vertically pinched at your child’s collar bone.
Remove your child from the car seat WITHOUT loosening the harness system.
Remove the coat and secure your child back in the car seat WITHOUT adjusting (loosening/tightening) the harness.

If the buckle and chest clip are still secure without the coat, and the harness webbing CANNOT be vertically pinched at your child’s collarbone, then the coat is acceptable. If the harness webbing CAN be vertically pinched, then the coat is too thick and should not be worn with the car seat.

Try some other options

If your child’s coat is too bulky when worn with the car seat, consider alternatives for warmth:

Preheat your vehicle.
Put a coat on your child backwards.
Drape a blanket over your child.
Consider a coat made out of very thin but warm material.

Blog published originally at Britax Tips and Advice

View our selection of the safest car seats at Britax Car Seats At JustKidding Middle East

Winter Feasts For Baby By Beaba Babycook

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Step up your baby food making game with Beaba Babycook and create Insta-worthy baby meals in minutes!
Recipe Notes: Always, please check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby

Chicken, Leek & Rosemary Purée

Recipe adapted for Babycook from Little Foodies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chicken breast cubed
1/2 cup leek chopped
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions 1. Put chicken, leeks and rosemary in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the chicken, leeks and rosemary are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
5. Add the olive oil and some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend.

Baby’s Beef Stroganoff

Good to Know: Not only is beef an easy meat for tiny tummies to digest, but it is also an excellent source of iron, zinc and vitamins B12

Ingredients
1 cup potato skin removed and cubed
1/4 cup carrot peeled and sliced
1/2 cup tomato cubed 1/4 cup white onion skin removed and cubed 3 ounces Beef cubed

Instructions
1. Put the potato, carrot, tomato and onion in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the vegetables are cooked, put them in the blending bowl and pulse once.
5. Put the pulsed veggies in a separate bowl to the side.
6. Put the beef in the steamer basket.
7. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
8. Start the cooking process.
9. When the meat is cooked, put the meat and vegetables in the blending bowl.
10. Add some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend.

Baby’s Baba Ganoush

Ingredients
1 cup eggplant sliced
1/3 cup red pepper sliced
1/3 cup green pepper sliced
2 tablespoons basil chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions
1. Put the eggplant and the peppers in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the eggplant and peppers are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, discarding the cooking liquid.
5. Add the basil and olive oil to the blending bowl and pulse blend until smooth.
Recipe Notes As always, please check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.

Chicken, Pepper & Corn Purée

Ingredients
1 ounce chicken cubed
1 cup corn
1 cup red bell pepper sliced

Instructions
1. Put the chicken, corn and pepper in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the chicken, corn and pumpkin are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
5. Add some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend.

Turkey, Carrot and Parsnip Purée

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups carrots sliced
1 1/2 cups parsnip cubed
1 ounce turkey cubed
1 teaspoon Butter

Instructions
1. Put the carrots, parsnip and turkey into the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the carrots, parsnip and turkey are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
5. Add the butter and some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency
and blend.

Sweet Potato Hummus

Ingredients
1 cup sweet potato cubed
1 8 ounce can chickpeas drained
3 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon agave (optional)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions
1. Put the sweet potatoes in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the sweet potatoes are cooked, put them in the blending bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
5. Blend until the consistency is smooth.
Recipe Notes Create this recipe as an adult or older child appetizer/snack by adding some pita chips!

Freestyle Pizza

Ingredients
1 thin crust pizza dough ready-made or homemade dough
7 ounce can tomatoes crushed and strained
1/2 cup zucchini cubed
1/2 cup eggplant cubed
1/2 cup yellow pepper cubed
1/2 cup red pepper cubed
1/2 clove garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch oregano
1 cup cheese shredded
1 packet mini mozzarella balls
Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Put the vegetables in the steamer basket.
3. Pour water into the tank (level 2).
4. Start the cooking process.
5. When the vegetables are cooked, remove from the basket.
6. Heat the olive oil in a pan.
7. Add the steamed vegetables with a pinch of oregano and saute for 2 minutes.
8. Unroll the pizza dough and cut into desired shapes: you should be able to make 8 mini pies. Place a small amount of strained tomato, vegetables and shredded cheese on each. Decorate with 1/2 a ball of mozzarella cheese. Add salt and pepper.
9. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and dough is crispy.

Baby’s Potato Gratin French Style

Ingredients
1/2 cup potato cubed
1 tablespoon onion cubed
2 tablespoons roquefort or gorgonzola cheese crumbled

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Put the potato and onion in the steamer basket.
3. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
4. Start the cooking process.
5. Mix the onions with the cheese.
6. Layer potatoes in the bottom of an oven-safe ramekin and coat them with the onion-cheese mixture.
7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Winter Fruit Compote

Ingredients
1 cup apples cubed
2 tablespoons dates sliced
1/4 cup raisins Instructions
1. Put the apples, dates and raisins in the steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 2).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the apples, dates and raisins are cooked put them in the mixing bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
5. Add some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend

Pumpkin Pie Baby Purée

Ingredients
3 cups apples cubed
Approx. 1 cup banana sliced
1 cup sugar pumpkin cubed Instructions

1. Put the apples, banana and sugar pumpkin in steamer basket.
2. Pour water into the tank (level 3).
3. Start the cooking process.
4. When the apples, banana and sugar pumpkin are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
5. Add some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend.

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup Butter
2 Eggs
1/2 tablespoon créme fraiche
1 tablespoon flour sifted
2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions
1. Put the flour, sugar, and butter in the blending bowl. Pulse twice.
2. Add the creme, spices, and eggs and pulse twice more.
3. Transfer the dough to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
4. Let the dough rest for about 3 hours in the refrigerator.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
6. Roll the dough out so that it’s 1/8 – 1/4 of an inch thick.
7. Cut the dough with cookie cutters and place the cookies on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
8. Bake for approximately 15 minutes

Gifts For Mums, Babies and Toddlers: The Ultimate List

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The Ultimate Gift Guide

A list of gifting options with free delivery* and gift wrapping!

For new mums:

1) Medela Swing Breast Pump

Medela Swing Breast Pump

Being in the industry for more than 50 years, Medela is therefore a go-to brand for new mums. Further more raved by for its portability that it easily fits in a tote, it also is super easy to clean!

Because its extremely lightweight and uses both adaptor and batteries, its perfect for use at home or on-the-go.
You’ll definitely be crossing one off your mummy best friend’s wishlist with the Medela Swing and a big red bow.

2) SkipHop Diaper Bag

SkipHop Diaper Bags

From stylish to sleek to classy and trendy. Skiphop has a wide range of fashionable totes fit for every woman’s style and all while fitting every essential with her. We love the selection over at Skiphop.

They have both trendy styles and multipurpose functionalities (check out the SoFo bag backpack-shoulder bag configuration!)

3) Doona Car Seat and Stroller

Doona + Car Seat and Stroller

It is just heaven sent that a car seat can also become a stroller in a push of a button and that’s all thanks to Doona! The perfect car seat for newborns up to 15 months old.

The much buzzed-about Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller will make you any mom’s new bff.

4) Limited Edition Beaba Babycook in Rose Gold

Rosegold Beaba Babycook

Nothing better says “You are extremely special” than a limited edition item. One of our bestselling innovations, the Beaba Babycook preps fresh baby food in just minutes!

On top of that, it comes in a gorgeously stunning rose gold color. Definitely will compliment any mummy’s kitchen!

5) JustKidding Gift Vouchers

JustKidding Babystore

If you have that one friend who is awesome, fun, really great but a bit indecisive and hard to read, worry not. We’ve got you covered! Why not get her vouchers for our JustKidding Babystore?

With the best European baby brands all under one wing like Bugaboo, Stokke, Uppababy and more, she’ll surely find something she would love!

For babies:

1) Oribel Wonderland

Play center and table for baby and toddlers

Orbiel Wonderland Activity Center

Educational and fun and even timeless, the Oribel Activity Center has several educational and sensory toys for baby. Furthermore, it converts into a table for future use!

Because it is a gift that will be around for years, it is a surefire gome staple. Always there to remind him as he grows who his coolest and funnest parent/aunt is.

2) MudPie Clothing

MudPie Holiday Baby Collection

Fun and colorful, cheerful and festive, we absolutely adore the seasonal collections from Mud Pie. In comparison to what is in the market, the cozy, comfy Winter selections are extremely stylish and unique. It will truly make any baby the star of any party!

3) Sleepyhead

Sleepyhead

This baby bed is both a gift for mum and baby! The Sleepyhead’s tailor-made for baby design makes sure that wherever baby sleeps, he is warm, snug and cozy with its womb like shape and snuggly borders. It also is perfect during bottle feeding to boot!

For kids

1) Berg Go-Karts

Berg Buggy Karts

Never has a child run out of energy all throughout the day. Because we always have those fun, active and sporty kids on our list, we definitely recommend the Berg Go-Karts.

Because they come in two styles, they are adorably styled perfect for both boys and girls aged 2-5 years!

Other than having easy steering control kids would enjoy, dads would definitely love the them because their EVA tires too because they never go flat!

2) CarGo

CarGo Car Seat and Trolly

Every child loves to bring a few toys around. Be it at school or to a quick grocery run, always. Gift him the power to convince mum to let it all happen. Also a car booster seat, the CarGo is also a pull-along storage bag for toddlers to store snacks, toys and whatever his heart desires. All without mummy’s objections!

3) Nobodinoz Teepee

Nobodinoz Teepee

A play tent that fits up to three, the stylish and modern teepee doubles also as the perfect storage. Therefore, the gorgeous nursery piece is definitely something mum and toddler would be thankful for!

Perfect for slumber parties with friends or playtime with mum and dad. The Nobodinoz Teepee is a timeless gift for any toddler and child of any age and any style.

All orders from www.justkidding-me.com are eligible for free gift wrapping this holiday season! We also have free delivery to Riyadh, Dubai and Doha for orders above 150! Your festive Christmas shopping is just a click away!