Blogs

Chinese New Year is almost here - a perfect time for spring cleaning!

Read about these three simple solutions to keep your home organized.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out organizational guru Julie Morgenstern's Get Organized Boot Camp.

Photo from flickr.

UPDATE: An interesting discussion about this article has opened up on the UK Times Online's Alpha Mummy blog.

"The picture of the little Chinese boy chained to a post while his father worked has been everywhere today. And at first it is a bit shocking. I don't want to go all Sue Sylvester from Glee on this, but actually as the story unfolds, it begins to seem a not-so-unreasonable childcare solution." ... To read more or have your say, click here.

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Although we may not follow it, many of us are aware of the “8 x 8 rule,” of having eight 8oz (237ml) glasses of water a day. But what is an acceptable amount of cheese? While I wish the answer were a complete brick, it's apparently only 8-12 dice-sized cubes a day. Check out more photos at Parenting to visualize portion and serving sizes for meat, pasta, pudding and other food staples. Sometimes eating healthy isn't just what we eat, but how much of it.

This time of year can be extremely busy, with many people putting in over time and losing sleep in rush to meet Spring Festival deadlines. Tension and anxiety can begin to take their toll. Stress management techniques can help maintain productivity, keep you grounded and prevent burn outs. Here are some suggestions to help manage the mayhem:

1. Breathing exercises: Most of us tend to take shallow breaths, especially when we are under stress. Deep breathing not only tells or bodies to relax, but it also oxygenates the tissues. Try this exercise.

2. Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins which are the natural “feel good” chemicals in our body. It also helps us release tension, anger, and frustrations.

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When altruism, fashion and fun collide, you've got a guaranteed crowd pleaser. ISB students and teachers have teamed up with major sponsors (including Crumpler, Vera Moda, Grand Hyatt Beijing, C de. France, and Only) to host a charity fashion show.

Alongside various items for auction will be clothing collections designed by ISB students. People will get the chance to bid, buy, and donate money; with funds raised going towards Zhong Xin Elementary School in Sichuan whose students are the beneficiaries of the One-Child-One-Egg program.

“Last year the ISB community, our PTA, and Caterpillar corporation partnered to rebuild Zhong Xin elementary school in Mianyang City and in the process made a relationship with the egg-a-day program to provide protein to needy rural students. This year, a student led charity is picking up the torch for support of this program. At ISB we are proud of our students and their efforts to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Mr. Hillman, communications director at ISB and the project’s supervisor.

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Whether or not China produces truly organic produce is a hot topic among Beijing expats. Is it worth paying extra for tomatoes at Lohao City (Beijing's self-proclaimed organic supermarket)? And is Beijing's standards for organic and GM foods the same as that in our home countries?

A recent article in the Global Times claims that there is a double standard when it comes to the GM produce sold in China. Wang Weikang, director of Greenpeace's food and agriculture program, was quoted in the article as saying that Wal-Mart has made no moves to make their Chinese outlets GM free, though they have publicly stated that they will refuse GM products in their British stores.

If you're craving the organic section of your supermarket back home, it's worth questioning whether it was organic at all.

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As of late there has been a stomach flu going around (aka, viral gastroenteritis – in no way related to the seasonal flu). Have you or someone in your family been affected? It can be especially difficult when children are sick, but the only way to deal with this infection is to let nature run its course. Someone in my family fell ill recently and it was not fun. We used naturopathic medicine to make her feel better and she quickly recuperated. If you’re taking care of someone with the stomach flu, the most important thing to do is to ensure that they’re well hydrated. It can be tough with ongoing vomiting and diarrhea, but these simple treatments can really make a difference.

(If you want to read more about what the signs of dehydration are and when to see a doctor, click here)

First of all, a person with viral gastroenteritis needs to sleep – a lot! It’s important for the infected person to stay at home and rest.

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GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
Workers’ Stadium iRena Ice & Snow World
SAT JAN 30th at 4pm



Another outdoor ice rink has been added to Beijing’s ever-growing collection of winter playgrounds. Head to the conveniently located Workers' Stadium East Gate for a day of ice skating and hockey on the 1,248 sq meter open air rink. If your schedule is booked, don’t fret. Workers’ Stadium iRena Ice & Snow World will be open until March 20. Bring your own skates, or rent a pair for an additional RMB 5 (RMB 100 deposit). Lockers are also RMB 5 (RMB 100 deposit). Ticket prices vary depending on the time of day. RMB 30- 50 (students RMB 5 discount).

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Don’t miss this week’s four excellent events that are fun for the whole family. E-mail newsletter@beijing-kids.com to get each issue sent to your inbox. Check the beijingkids website for full event listings, www.beijing-kids.com.

Thursday 28: Workers' Stadium iRENA Ice & Snow World
Another outdoor ice rink has been added to Beijing’s ever-growing collection of winter playgrounds. Head to the conveniently located Worker’s Stadium east gate for a day of ice skating and hockey. If your schedule is booked out this weekend, the Ice and Snow World will be open until March 20. Prices vary depending on the time of day. Bring your own skates, or rent a pair for an additional charge. RMB 30- 50 (students RMB 5 discount).

Don’t Forget: After an afternoon of skating, warm up with a hot chocolate at nearby Tous Les Jours, Element Fresh, Starbucks. Hungry skaters can head to Stadium Dog.

Friday 29: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel (PG)
In this sequel to their 2007 movie, musical sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore are on a mission to save their school’s music program by winning the USD 25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. Sparks fly as the threesome come face-to-face with a rival female singing group, The Chipettes. Voices by Justin Long, Christina Applegate, and acting by Jason Lee. Playing at Megabox, The Village at Sanlitun.

Don’t Forget: Pick up the 2007 version of Alvin and the Chipmunks from DVD stores around town. If its music your kids want, head to Amazon.com a Chipmunk sing-along album (we recommend “The Chipmunk Adventure”, cir. 1998).

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One of the perks of having friends travel abroad is the tasty treats they bring back to Beijing. This year, however, after the 2009 Christmas bomb attempt in Detroit (story here), airports have tightened security. Flying to Beijing with a stopover in Los Angeles, my friend was prohibited from carrying food.

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