Baby LegWarmers - For the fashion forward baby & toddler

They are back!! Baby LegWarmers are the latest trend in babywear and mums everywhere are all the rage about them! These fashionable accessories are a must have for the budding fashionista.  They are soft and stretchy enough to fit most newborns and children up to around the age of 8 years. They are great for keeping little footballers' or dancers' legs warm and are available in a wide range of colours and patterns to coordinate with any outfit.

But these handy little things not only add to the gorgeousness of your baby, toddler or child, they are also very practical too!  In winter, it is essential to keep your child warm.  LegWarmers and tights do pretty much the same work, however tights have the disadvantage of having to be pulled up all the time for your active little munchkin! Apart from that, tights press upon the nappy/diaper, causing them to draw moisture up from it and therefore leaving you with an uncomfortable baby or toddler! 

LegWarmers keep the nappy/diaper area loose and free, making them comfortable for the baby or toddler and reducing leaks.  In Autumn and Spring (and even possibly in Summer) you can dress your baby in just a vest and these cute little things. They do the double duty of keeping your child warm, and protecting their knees from the harsh cold floors whilst leaving the feet to grip the floor. They are even perfect for baby's nudie-bum time! :)

Clothes and Nappy/Diaper changing will become a breeze with these on. They will keep your child warm during the process, and you can possibly be in for less of a struggle during changing time. For the older toddler, they are a must have for potty training!

They can be worn on the arms as well as the legs and they are very small and convinient to slip a pair into your handbag before going out.

Baby LegWarmers are for both girls and boys and most brands can fit a child from 0-8 years of age, so the money spent on them will go a long way! There are many brands to choose from, some of which also carry an organic range for the health conscious parents out there!

However, if your baby/tot has skinny legs, these could slip off (depending on which brand you choose).  The best remedy for this is to use socks underneath the baby leg warmers, which helps to hold them on. They will still slip down below the knees at times, which can be an issue if you're outside in the cold.

Tiffany has been happily wearing Baby LegWarmers as of this winter! They are very comfortable, keep her cozy and she never tires of looking at the different colours and patterns! She gets excited when it is time to wear them, which is saying a lot about the girl that wouldn't pass a second glace at any form of shoes, socks or anything that hugged her legs, feet or arms, not too long ago! Our favourite brand is BabyLegs and we have a couple of Huggalugs in our collection too.  Both of these are very popular brands that are made of high quality materials that seem to last and do well so far in the washing machine, despite being washed over and over!

Baby LegWarmers are definately a must have accessory for all the fashion forward babies & toddler out there!! :)

Any Questions? Email me here!

Soothing teething pains with Sophie the Giraffe

Teething is one of the great milestones of your baby’s development and memories of your baby's first big toothy grin will be treasured forever. Some babies sail through the process and are showing off their first teeth before you know it, but for others it can be a more uncomfortable time, causing distress to both you and your baby.  During this time, it is important that you offer your child safe items to chew on to relieve their urge to bite.

Tiffany cut her first tooth at 10months, though she had been experiencing symptoms of teething on and off from around 5 months old! (Poor us!!)

Little miss would chew on anything she could get her hands on...chew toys, books, the remote control, her fingers, my fingers, her daddy's fingers...but nothing seemed to comfort her and she would end up feeling very frustrated and upset!

One day I came across this little rubber chew toy on an online store and decided to give her a try.  She is called Sophie the Giraffe (picture below) and I am so glad to have found such a perfect chew toy! You may think Sophie looks like your average rubber giraffe toy, but she is actually an angel in diguise ;)

Sophie was first created in France in 1961 and has been a favourite toy in Europe ever since.  Her flexible, renewable, natural rubber materials and non-toxic paint mean Sophie the Giraffe is a safe and all-natural teething toy for your little one.  Sophie was designed to stimulate the senses and soothe sore, teething gums. Mothers recognize the benefits of this little giraffe almost immediately! Soft, light and easy to grasp, Sophie is perfect for little hands to hold and easy on aching gums. She even makes a delightful "squeak" when squeezed which can't help but bring a smile to any infant's face.

Here is a summary of Sophie's good points:

• Natural Rubber is safe for baby to teethe & chew.
• Lightweight & easy to grasp for tiny hands.
• Painted with non-toxic, food-grade paints.
• Stimulating to a baby’s senses with her soft colors & gentle squeak.
• Sophie the Giraffe is Phthalate-Free with NO Vinyl (no-PVC) and BPA free 
• Bumpy head helps soothe sore, teething gums.  
• Slender, flexible & soft - babies love manipulating & teething Sophie.
• Hand-made in France, Sophie the Giraffe is a classic!

Our Sophie

Tiffany has been a huge fan of Sophie from the first time she took her out of her box! She loves chewing on Sophie's soft flexible legs and making her squeak! It's amazing just how much fun a little rubber giraffe can be to a one year old! She even has the special privilage of being taken to the cot during bedtime! But the most important thing is that teething has not been such an uncomfortable milestone for us since the arrival of Mademoiselle Sophie.

I must admit, it isn't the cheapest chew toy around (since it is hand-made and hand painted), but the advantages really do outweigh the disadvantages in regards to this timeless creation! Sophie is our hero!

To see more reviews on Sophie the Giraffe or to purchase this lovely teething aid, click on the below link:

BPA - three letters that cause concern

BPA or Bisphenol-A, is a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula.  

In 2002, approximately 2.8 million tons of bisphenol A (BPA) was produced globally. You can't smell, taste or see it but it is so common in society that you will come into contact with it every day. A recent study found that 95% of adults tested had BPA present in their urine.  Everyone is exposed to it!

What are the dangers for children?

Bisphenol A is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today and has been researched and studied for over 40 years. However, it is only in the last 10-15 years that concerns have been raised over its safety, particularly during pregnancy and for young babies.

Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri at Columbia, stumbled onto BPA in 1997 while studying foetal development, and has spent the last 10 years researching the effects during pregnancy and on young children.

Prof Saal says, "The foetus and infant are exquisitely sensitive to bisphenol A. One hit during a brief window of time can influence future development."

• Future fertility - Prof Saal found that BPA passes through the placenta from mother to baby, mimicking the behaviour of the natural hormone oestrogen. Even low levels of exposure while the baby is developing can cause lasting changes in reproductive and metabolic development.
• Behavioural problems - Several studies have found that Bisphenol A at extremely low levels causes changes in brain structure and behavior in rats which scientists argue show the same reaction in humans.
• Cancer - some studies have found that early exposure to BPA during infancy increases the risk of breast and prostate cancer in later life.

What can I do to keep my child safe?

Paediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., a board member of Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit group that raises awareness about environmental toxins says, "There's no need to be frightened, but you should try to reduce your baby's exposure to this chemical." Jo Behm, a registered nurse with the Learning Disability Association adds, "Where it is possible to find safer alternatives, head there!" Some simple things you can do include;

• Avoid hard polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Instead, use bottles made of glass, or softer, safer plastics made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyamide. There are many brands that carry BPA free bottles.
• Discard worn bottles (those that are cloudy or scratched): Chemicals leach into food more easily when plastics break down.
• Do not fill bottles with boiling water
• Don't leave plastic baby bottles in hot cars or direct sunlight

source

Krispie Chicken Nuggets - A recipe for kids (& their parents)

Not only are these much healthier to give your kids than the shop bought kind, they are also much tastier and much easier to make than you think.  Excellent finger food for kids. Try it! :)

Ingredients

350 g (12 oz) skinless and boneless chicken breasts (approx. 3 chicken breasts), cut into (bite-size) 2.5 cm (1 in) pieces

4 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying

Marinade

200 ml (7 fl oz) buttermilk

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp soy sauce

1/4 tsp paprika

Coating

100 g (3 1/2 oz) plain flour

1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water

75 g (2 1/2 oz) dry breadcrumbs or honey panko breadcrumbs

45 g (1 1/2 oz) freshly grated Parmesan

salt and pepper, to season

Method

Combine the marinade ingredients and soak the chicken pieces for 2 hours.

Put the flour on a large plate. Beat the egg with the water in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan together on a large plate. Remove chicken cubes from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and toss them in the flour. Then dip the cubes in the egg mixture and roll in the breadcrumbs to coat.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the chicken nuggets for 2–3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through, turning occasionally.

Alternatively, pre-heat oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas 6. Put the chicken nuggets on a generously oiled large baking sheet and bake for18–20 minutes, until the coating is crisp and the chicken cooked.

While the nuggets are baking you can whip up these easy dips, by simply mixing the ingredients together in a bowl:

BBQ dip

6 tbsp tomato ketchup

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp soy sauce

2–3 drops Tabasco sauce (optional)

Honey-mustard dip

4 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tsp wholegrain Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp clear honey

1 tsp cold water

Information

MAKES 4 PORTIONS

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

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(Source: annabelkarmel.com)

Yummy Chicken Curry for Kids!

This is one of our favourite chicken recipes! And it's also very easy to make!
(Please remember that stock cubes are best not used for children under 1 year of age, and above 1, it is best to go for a low salt kind).

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small carrot cut into matchsticks
1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced
2 chicken breasts cut into bite sized chunks
1 tbsp Korma curry paste
1/2 tbsp mango chutney
1 tbsp tomato puree
100g frozen peas
150 ml coconut milk
1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 150 ml boiling water
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan and sauté the onion and carrot for 3 minutes.Add the garlic and sauté for half a minute. Then add the apple and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add the chicken and stir fry for 4 minutes
Add the Korma curry paste, mango chutney, tomato puree, frozen peas, coconut milk and chicken stock and simmer for about 10 minutes. Season to taste.

Information:

Suitable for freezing
MAKES 2 PORTIONS

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Welcome to "Recipe Sundays"

Recipe Sundays starts from today!! :)

From now on, I hope to share with you a different (kid-friendly) recipe every Sunday! All recipes will be tried and tested to be delicious, healthy & easy to make!

And to kick off the very first Recipe Sunday is the following post...

The latest addition to our zoo...

...is this adorable little fellow! Introducing my daughter's first backpack! She may not be able to wear it for a while, but it sure does come in handy for long car trips and when out and about, to store food, drink, and some things to keep her busy!  I must say, I think he is quite the stunner, but hands off ladies, this owl is taken!! hahaha isn't he a button??! :)