January, 2010

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 the end of February. 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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As someone who abides by the 5 second rule (or 10 seconds if it's chocolate), I got a kick out of this flow chart. Humor aside, I recommend browsing through the Fooducate website where we found this gem, for great health info.

While cell phones and personal computers are gaining popularity among younger and younger generations, parents should be wary of giving too much tech to their children. The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a study that may end in some confiscated iPhones.

Here’s what the New York Times reported about the study:

“The study found that young people’s media consumption grew far more in the last five years than from 1999 to 2004, as sophisticated mobile technology like iPods and smart phones brought media access into teenagers’ pockets and beds.”

“Those ages 8 to 18 spend more than seven and a half hours a day with such devices, compared with less than six and a half hours five years ago, when the study was last conducted.

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Check out this article from the Global Times Online:

"Beijing's kids now have a new, massive place to play and study: Kids' Growth Square has opened in the Jinyuan Shopping Mall on Yuanda Road, Haidian district.

"With 77 shops in a 26,000-square-meter area, the Square is one of the largest malls directed towards children in China, and the first such mall in Beijing.

"The vast area is divided into five sections: District A: Education, District B: Dining and Entertainment, District C: Toys, District D: Clothing and District E: Compound. The area includes a sand beach, merry-go-round and mini-skiing field. DIY shops where children can do handicrafts are also available.

"District A is a particular delight for children who like to think about what they will be when they grow up. Baby Boss will dominate the area when it opens in May, as a place where children can pretend to have grown-up jobs."

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Remember the excitement you felt receiving mail as a child? That's the inspiration behind San Francisco-based Little Passports, a new educational subscription service that aims to turn 5-to-10-year-olds into world travellers, one country at a time. Little Passports delivers monthly travel packages designed to provide a fun, hands-on way for kids to learn about other countries without leaving home. The first shipment in the USD 10.95 per month subscription prepares little voyagers for their global adventure with a mini suitcase, passport, world map and a letter and photo introducing their travel guides, Sam and Sofia.

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Chocolate lovers of Beijing unite! Last year it was announced a chocolate wonderland was coming to Beijing early in 2010. The World Chocolate Dream Park is now set to open on January 29 on the Olympic Green.

Eighty tons of Belgium chocolate will be sculptured into an array of items and replicas of famous sites, including the famous Terra Cotta Warriors and the Great Wall. Visitors will have a chance to taste some of the chocolate on display, as well as try their hand at chocolate sculpting.

The park looks like it will make for a fun day for families, as well as chocolate lovers and fans of Chinese kitsch. You can check out the World Chocolate Dream Park website (in Chinese only) here.

World Chocolate Dream Park runs from January 29-April 10.

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After having our first son who was so well behaved, it came as a bit of a shock when our second turned out to be such a daredevil. He's way more than one step ahead of us and we never know what he was going to come up with next.

When he was 2 (and we still don’t know how he managed to do it), he lifted a full length mirror off it's wall fixtures, only to then drop it on his feet. Then there's the time he though it was hysterical to push a watermelon off the kitchen bench, spilling it's seedy pink flesh all over the floor. Or the numerous occasions he fell down the stairs. His Father and I have predicted by the time he is 5, that kid is going to have broken at least one bone in his body.

Fast approaching his 4th birthday, my daredevil son has lost three teeth already. Once when hurling himself over the arm of the chair, misjudging the distance and knocking a tooth out on the on a door handle. And then eight months later at the local playground. I heard a bang, followed by a wailing scream.

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Don't let the cold keep you indoors. Next Saturday, stay warm by pampering your kids with a brunch at The Orchard. Then head next door to Daystar Academy to watch the performance: Red Grammer Sings in Beijing.

PLACE: Daystar Academy
DATE: Saturday January 23rd
TIME: 2- 3pm
COST: RMB 80

Tickets available at The Family Learning House & Daystar Academy.

I regularly read a fantastic blog by Australian mother of three, Mia Freedman, called Mama Mia. Aside from being a great time waster, it's full of thoughtful posts about body image, fashion, and motherhood.

While cruising Mia's blog I came across this interesting post about trailing spouses.

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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 14: Have Fun On-line
Hide away from the bitterly cold weather, grab that book you have been meaning to finish since your summer vacation, and allow the kids to explore some fun websites on the Internet. The web is full of interactive gaming websites with an educational twist; here are a few to get you started: Funbrain is great for the younger kids , while dwkids and yahoo games are more suitable for the older ones. If your kids are looking to expand their minds, visit Britannica Encyclopedia or BBC Bitesize .

Don’t Forget: Too many hours in front of the computer can strain the eyes. Best to surf the net in small doses.

Friday 15: Avatar (PG 13)
Director James Cameron’s latest Hollywood blockbuster, Avatar, has amazed movie-goers around the world. An estimated USD 250- 300 million has been invested to produce spectacular, spellbinding visuals in a futuristic 3-D setting. The story follows the life of Jake Scully – a war veteran who lost his lower limbs in a previous battle – and his journey to the planet of Na’vi. Scenes of violence and brief intimate encounters means Avatar may not be suitable for the younger children, but it is suitable for children 10 and older. Playing at Megabox, The Village, Sanlitun.

Don’t Forget: Bring some healthy snacks to fuel bursts of hunger.

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A couple of months ago as I walked quickly through a department store with my friend and her daughter, the little girl stopped dead in her tracks, spellbound. “Mom, who is that?” she asked, wide-eyed, staring at a huge plasma screen. “Well, honey,” LeeAnn answered, “that’s Michael Jackson.” It was love at first sight. Ever since, Little Nora has been listening to her new “MJ” album on repeat – in the house, the car, the bathtub, literally everywhere. LeeAnn is happy, it’s an improvement from the incessant Barney tunes Nora’s older brother loved when he was the same age.

If Barney and Elmo are driving you bananas and MJ has worked his magic, there are alternative sounds for the kids and – and more importantly – for you, as well.

They Might Be Giants – “Here Comes Science”
Available from iTunes ($9.99) and Amazon.com ($7.99)
They Might Be Giants weren’t originally a band for kids, but their sound translates well. Following the successes of “Here Come the ABCs,” and the Grammy-award winning “Here Come the 123s,” “Here Comes Science” is all about the world around us. Sure, it’s educational but it’s also fun, catchy, and taught me a thing or three about photosynthesis, circulation, and the solar system.

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I got an email yesterday from a very excited mother who just had to sing the praises of her latest Beijing discovery, CC Sweets.

Here's what she had to say:

"I just had amazing sugar free cupcakes from Carol Chow. She also makes regular sugar ones, but will cater to any dietary requirements you have.

"Now, I don’t even like cupcakes, usually I find them too sweet and either too fluffy or too heavy… these were perfect. We had pumpkin and strawberry shortcake, both in mini sizes to bring to my son’s school for his birthday. They were a huge hit with everyone (especially the pumpkin). The pumpkins themselves actually come from her garden at their weekend place in the countryside, so maybe that is why they were especially nice!"

As a confessed cupcake lover, I was a tad suspect as I don't rate Beijing very highly on my cup-cake-meter, but I followed the link and couldn't believe my eyes when I landed on the homepage.

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Being able to speak two languages (or three, or four) is an amazing skill. But beyond the obvious benefits of simply making one's self understood to a wider range of people, the cultural benefits can really broaden your horizons.

Teaching your children Mandarin can be invaluable, and if your stay in Beijing is intended to be a long one, it will be a necessity.

An interesting article in US family magazine Cookie, sung the praises of embracing more than one culture and language:

"In the global culture, what could be more important than knowing several languages?" asks Orville Schell, dean of the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, who, with his Chinese-born wife, Baifang, has raised sons Sebastian and Sasha to speak three languages. The boys have interacted in Mandarin with their mother and her relatives ever since they could talk, and they were enrolled in a French lycée as soon as they hit school age.

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14-year-old Londoner, Arran Fernandez, is on course to be the youngest Cambridge University student in almost 230 years.

Arran, who was home-schooled, puts most adult university students to shame. After successfully completing the British GCSE maths exam -- normally taken by 16-year-olds -- at the tender age of five, he went on to complete his A levels -- university entrance exams taken by 18-year-olds -- at just 14.

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The other afternoon, as I looked over at my daughter’s pixie cut, I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I recalled the events that lead to her current hairstyle…

I don’t know how many times my own mother asked me what was wrong with my daughter’s hair. “Why wasn’t it growing? Why was it so thin? Why didn’t she have more of it?” She insisted time and time again that I should shave all her hair off so that it would grow faster. The idea that thin hair can be made thicker by shaving is a wives tale of epic proportions.

I hate to admit that I gave into parental pressure, but I did. I decided I would shave my daughter’s hair before the summer was over and before I got cold feet. I knew that if I didn’t do it, my mother would never let me hear the end of it.

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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.

Thu 7: Try a new restaurant
In spirit of beijingkids annual family dining issue, it’s time to dust off the shackles of your regular haunts and search for something a little different. Enjoy flavorful Greek food at Argo, authentic Chinese hot pot at Hai Di Lao, light Cantonese cuisine at The Orient Kitchen, or savor Shunyi’s best burgers at Cici’s Burger.

Hai Di Lao 1) Daily 9am-10pm. 4/F, Wangjing International Commercial Center, 9 Wangjing Jie, Chaoyang District; 朝阳区望京街9号望京国际商业中心4楼 ; 2) Daily 10am- 3am. A2 Baijiazhuang Lu (west of Beijing No.80 Middle School), Sanlitun; 白家庄路甲二号第80中学西侧

Cici’s Burger, Daily 10am-6.30pm. 3 Jingmi Road, Homeware Lifestyle Village Complex (1km from exit 4 on Airport Expressway), Chaoyang District (138 1194 6806)

Don’t Forget: Pick up the latest edition of beijingkids for full Directory listings, and more kid-friendly dining spots than you can poke your fork at.

Fri 8: Get baking!
Forget being a Friday night couch potato; instead, gather the troops for a fun baking session. Try whipping up some banana cupcakes, fudgy chocolate cookies, chocolate Florentines, or cinnamon rolls. For other yummy (and kid-friendly) recipes, drool over these great sites: Bakerella.com, Room-4-dessert.com, Davidlebovitz.com, Nigella.com

Don’t Forget: For all of your baking goodies, head to Jenny Lou’s, April Gourmet or BHG Market Place (locations in Shin Kong Place, Solana, and Shunyi).

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Last weekend I had psyched myself up for a Sunday afternoon trek to “Happy Snow and Ice Season” at the Bird’s Nest, but woke to a dismal sight: deserted streets, the wind whipping up a snowy gale, and foiled plans. So much for my excursion to a winter wonderland. I’d watched Bolt to the point of memorization, and the snow was too fluffy to make a proper snowman. What to do now?

If I couldn’t make snowmen outdoors, then I'd make them indoors instead!

Time to bring out the big guns: “Cake Pops,” scrumptious morsels of cake stuck on the end lollypop sticks. I’m yet to master the manufacture of these sweet spheres, but the fun is in the making as opposed the perfecting.

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 Postpone your New Year’s resolution to lose that extra holiday weight, because the annual beijingkids double restaurant issue is here! Our team of foodies, parents, and expats in the know have found Beijing’s 53 most family-friendly dining spots, and compiled them into a must-read guide. Savor authentic hot pot, conquer the best burgers, and find out which restaurants made the grade.

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Beef has never interested my palate much - the last time I had a hamburger, George Bush was president (and I don't mean George W. Bush) - so I was thrilled when veggie burgers started cropping up next to their red-blooded brothers in Beijing restaurants.

However, during a recent meal in a nice Beijing restaurant (that shall remain unnamed), and much to my chagrin, I found my expensive veggie burger was an uninspiring blend of bland and dry. I smothered it in ketchup to make it somewhat edible.

Thus with my father’s mantra of “I can make that” ringing in my ears, I began a quest for a hearty veggie burger recipe.

After an afternoon of playing culinary Frankenstein with several of the best looking recipes on the web, I created a veggie burger that is moist, tasty, sticks together and can be made from ingredients readily available in Beijing. So vegetarians (and even you carnivores), prepare to have your taste buds tantalized with Kara’s Beijing Burger.

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