What you do counts, mommies! EARTH DAY.

While blog hopping , my eyes stumbled upon a post that caught my eyes. And I think this is a great way to spread the awareness about Green Living   ( see my previous post about my pledge).

What I do , does count! And you can do it too!!

How I "REDUCE"
I reduce the using of shopping plastic bag by using Re-usable Shopping bags. I got mine years ago, and I bring at least 2 of it in my bag. I also got big one from Carrefour, IKEA, and Metro to store big bulky things. To remind my self better, I put all of these near my door , so I can just grab it when I'm heading out.

And I also reduce my carbon footprints by walking to do my groceries. And I invested on this "pretty in pink" shopping trolley. It is very helpful to carry heavy items like rice, cooking oil, milk, juices. And I am really glad that I do this. It's not just helping to care of the environment but It's also the easiest exercise I can do . I don't have much free time between homeschooling, take care of the house, do groceries, and taking care of kids n husband. I only have part time help 3 times per week. So it is hard for me to find time to go to gym . So this walk really help me to burn some calories .

As mentioned in my earlier post, to make another step further to make a greener living, I choose to use soapnuts. I still have some leftover detergent, but I am using soapnuts to wash my laundry , wash dishes, bath my kids and shampoo for them. As multi use cleanser. I m still doing it partially as I still got the other left over cleansing agents, but I can't wait to use nothing but my soapnuts! Right now I' am washing my laundry just using soapnuts :)

As we do not have private car, I certainly love to take bus and subway here in Shanghai. And rarely take taxi. And I think more people should do car pool . And even my husband ditch the taxi for now  ( unless the weather is not friendly) and he is investing on the re-chargeable electric bike instead. ( Photo will be upload later  , sorry :) ).

REUSE and RECYCLE :

We keep our magazines and newspaper aside to be recycle. And re-use the boxes for other purpose ( at this time for art n crafts for my girls' need) I also keep the glass jars for storage.

Beside that,  I also use cloth pads, cloth napkins, and washable training pants for my girls. I also do my laundry every 2 days if possible , to make the washing machine only run when it is fully load. And I will not use dryer when the weather is better . ( though in winter time it is hard for not using dryer )

What I will do next is :

To remember to bring my own tupperware wherever I go, In case I need to bring back any left over food in the restaurant. Here in Shanghai, the portion is huge, so I often take away the left over food.

And I will support the Roots and Shoots China program by buying trees in their Billion Tree Project.To help to replanting trees in Inner Mongolia.
And I will let my girls involvement in collection the money to buy the trees. (I am thinking to let Indy makes a small arts craft that she could sell for small money to our friends in order to raise the fund of buying more trees. I 'd like the idea of direct involvement for children and this will be a great opportunity for her to practice her public speaking and socializing and also to improve her skill to explain something). Will keep you all update on this one!

I think that is all I can think of right now.
So What you do to help the mother nature? No matter how small it is .... IT DOES COUNT!


XOXO
S.R

Earth Day!!

Another  Earth Day comes by ! We need to create more awareness to our direct community and friends to leave lesser carbon foot print . As small as it seems, it does count! Let's make a list of the think that could be done in our daily life :
1. Breastfeed your babies ! Yup! It will help to reduce the consumerism of formula ( and it tin, and plastic cover), No need plastic bottles etc.
2.Cloth Diapering - need me to repeat more?
3.Use re usable shopping bag and bring it with you EVERY WHERE!!!! Don't just buy and be fashionable with your trendy and update IN bag, but you will need to bring it to the market too!
4. Mama pads, use cloth napkins, wipes.
5.Using environment friendly detergent ( soapnuts is just a simple example) and wash your laundry when it is fully load!
6. Buy something locally produces.
7.Walk more, or take bike, or take public transport.  You don't need to ride on car to go to a neighborhood shops. Walk that lazy bum, and climb the stairs instead! ( I am starting to climb up stairs to my 11th floor apartment when I don't bring heavy stuffs, It helps to toned up my lower body, save $$ and time, instead of going to the gym)
8.Use BPA free water bottle, take your own container if buying food outside.
9.Change your light bulbs to the energy saving one
10. Keep your old newspaper and magazine and recycle it ( sell it or donate it)
11.If you kids like to make arts n crafts or any school project , try to use  the old coffee box , cereal box, tissue rolls, etc , Don't buy new cardboards!

Indy 's science project about finger printing , we use old cereal box for cardboard instead from buying new cardboard.

 Indy's homeschool Earth Day project  : She made a photo frame with used Popsicle sticks and decorate it with cut off foams.

Science's project : making arm bones model , using Nescafe box

How about to pick of 5 actions you can commit and stick to it? I did! Click here

To help protect the environment, I pledge to:

1. Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible.
2. Plant a tree. Or plant many trees!
3. Use pesticides safely! Reduce or eliminate where possible.
4. Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value.
5. Raise Awareness! Talk to others about the state of the environment, locally or globally.

Pledged Thursday, April 22, 2010.

As promised : Soapnuts Review and usage

So finally I got it and used it.
Just from a few times, I can tell I love it.
This is my personal reviews for family and friends just to create the awareness of soapnuts as an alternative to commercial soaps/detergents, I am not associated with any seller at the moment. If you got any questions please refer to any seller's website or browse on the net to gather more info. Thanks!!!
 
Here just to review what is soapnuts again:
Soap nuts or Soapberry, also sometimes referred to as Washing Nuts or Ritha / Reetha (in Hindi), contain ‘Saponins’, which have the ability to clean and wash. When in contact with water, it creates a mild suds, which is similar to soap.

For hundreds of years, people in India and Nepal have been doing their laundry and cleaning with Soapnuts The nut is the dried fruit of the Ritha tree and the saponin released is a 100% substitute to normal detergents..

Soap nuts can be used for cleaning basically anything, from washing clothes, as a liquid soap, cleaning and shining ornaments, household cleaner etc.

Soapnuts are highly-effective and gentle at the same time. It will leave your laundry fresh and clean and compared to other detergents, its mildness will keep colours bright, maintaining fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods. It can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures.

Soap nuts are allergy-free and hence are good for your skin especially good for babies, eczema and sensitive skin. This chemical free product is excellent for washing children’s clothing.

Soap nuts are both Ecological and Economical when compared to other forms of detergents.
A brief on the Benefits of using soapnuts:

• Clearly cheaper than normal detergents.
• Environment friendly as soapnuts are 100% natural, they do not pollute our environment. Furthermore, soapnuts are considered renewable primary products. The soapnut trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
• Perfect for allergic persons, people with sensitive skin and people who suffer from neurodermatitis.
• Effective and gentle as Soapnuts clean dirty laundry very effectively and at the same time preserve the colour of your laundry better than chemical detergents. In Nepal, people wash even the finest silks using soapnuts.
• 100% biodegradable. Simply add the used soapnuts directly to your compost heap.

MY REVIEW IN MY OWN WORDS

How to do :
to Wash in hot water washing machine, just put4-5 soapnuts in muslin bag or old sock. Wash as usual. Dry the soapnuts between wash, and it can be use for 5 times.

For cold water washing machine and other use ( bath, shampoo, laundry, etc)
You can make a soapnut tea , by soaking 4-5 soapnuts in 1 litre of hot water about 3 minutes. You can also put the bagged soapnuts into the load.

I am thinking to use it as " bubble bath" just put the soapnuts in the bag, then run the hot water and soak it to make soapnut tea in the bath tub. Add my favorite aromatherapy oil ( calming , rejuvenating, energizing , and romantic scents) Voila!! Healthy and natural bath! I even bath my lil monsters with the " tea" .

Or to make the soapnuts liquid ( serve as multipurpose cleaner):
since saponin can only be extracted from the nuts when the water is heated, a decoction or liquid is necessary for a cold wash. Boil 3 to 4 handfuls of nuts in one liter of water for 4 minutes or longer to make thicker concentrate . Remove the shells and allow to cool. One spoonful is enough for a load. You can use this for bath, shampoo , hand wash, vegetable wash etc.
Or you can boiled and shimmered it longer ( 20 minutes) until the soapnuts almost finish.

You can add tea tree oil, lavender oil , orange oil to add the scents.
And you can use white vinegar as softener.


So far I have use soapnuts to :
Wash my dishes in dishwasher( just put 3-4 soapnuts in the cutlery compartment) the dishes came out clean and smell nice.
To wash my laundry ( I added vinegar and lavender oil)
To wash my kids
To clean my stove top as multi purpose cleaner, and I can tell it works wonder!



As I am not an idealist perfectionist individual, I try to reach something more accessible to my life . I am not trying to make my whole family life 100% green.( wish I could ) . I try to use more earth friendly products, and buy organic veggie when I need ( like for salad or fruits) . And  recycle all of my old newspaper and paper products in my household.
Like in this case, to live in more " greener" way and since I can buy soapnut over here so I do it. Since I am a believer that Action speaks louder than Words.

One step at a time. I am not aiming to change the world or be a environmentalist , this is just my personal choice.


Back to nature.. healthier living, better earth!

XOXO
S.R

VIDEO: Adam Performs "WWFM" On AI - Adam Lambert's MySpace Blog |

Do I need to explain? This is Epic , Genius and freakishly amazing!

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Another step toward greener living

I first read about it , during my first year in my cloth diapering journey. But , I know by heart, it is nothing but impossible to buy in in Malaysia. ( KK) . So when I read through the mamas group I joined now, that someone is arranging  a bulk order for it, you bet I signed up!  The price is very affordable too, and for my first order, I get 2 kg.
Ok.. so what is it? It is SOAPNUT.

What Is a Soapnut? 

Soapnuts are known worldwide by many names such as soapnuts, soapberry, washing nuts, soap nutshells, wash shells, soapberry nut husk, Ritha (Hindi) nutshell, Chinese soapberry and many more. Very simply, Soapnuts are the dried shells (or husks) from the soapberry (or soap berry nut). These berries are the fruit from a quite unique tree species. These shells contain a substance called saponine that produces a soaping effect. Saponine is a 100% natural alternative to chemical laundry detergent and cleansers. It can replace many chemical detergents such as those containing sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) that are becoming well known by consumers for being a skin irritant and health hazard.

Soapnuts have been used for centuries throughout the world as a laundry detergent, as soap for personal hygiene, and as a cleanser with a plethora of other uses. It is most commonly used in China, India, parts of Europe and numerous countries in the eastern hemisphere. There is even a species, Quillaja Saponaria (called a soap bark tree) that grows in South America. However, only in recent years has the soap nut and its many benefits made its way to the shores of the U.S

Soapnuts advantages

It doesn't contain any synthetic detergent, essence, pigment, antiseptic and other chemicals and is used for clean skin (the whole body, face and hands) and clothes. It has the good detergent property and can clean away dirt effectively. It¡¯s rich in foam, can kill germs, has the beautifying and whitening effects and is able to remove speckles and whelks and prevent and cure skin diseases. Since it¡¯s a pure natural product and 100% degradable, no remnants harmful to the body and environment will be produced even if it¡¯s used for a long time.

It is a 100% vegetable detergent: with a soft cleaning effect on linen without any reduction in its deep cleanliness beyond reproach. Scentless and biodegradable, Soapnuts give back a naturally soft linen without any softener agent addition.

Universal Application: you can use it anywhere as you can imagine such as laundry, hand, body, shampoo, bathroom, kitchen, pet etc. Not only clean everything you can see, but also protect skin and hair because it ¡s abundant effective nutrient composition.

Washing Hand:

Helpful in removing stains from hands

Washing hair:

Soapnuts gives a shampoo, which makes hair look shiny and full of vitality.

Soapnut is an excellent hair tonic. It can prevent and cure such skin diseases as dandruff and sores on the head effectively. The pulp of the fruit contains a high level of natural foaming agents. However if you prefer more foam, add a little your favorite shampoo. We know it's hard not to want more foam. And it is better to use the Soapnuts as protein Shampoo with Conditioner.

Non-Allergenic and Hypoallergenic: Kind to humans & pets and advisable for people with allergy and skin disease such as allergy, eczema & psoriasis sufferers.

Color protection: Colored cloth such as jeans and T-shirts keep their brightness much longer.

Save Water & Time ,No need to use the rinse cycle on your washing machine. Great in septic tanks. If hand wash, only simply rinse once. Thus save both water and time. 

Environment protection: no chemical agents at all, thus 100% environment friendly. Even soapnuts remnants can be deposited on a compost heap. Cost Effective: Costs as little as *12 cents to wash a load of laundry. *(Based on a 1kg bag). There is a 50% economy in quality / price ratio with respect to conventional washing agents.

 

  So, I am excited to start to use it! ^_^

XOXO

S.R

Maya's daily activities at school (edited )

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Maya is now in pre-school about 20 mins drive from our home. The school mini bus picks her every morning at 9 am and send her back at 4 pm. 

The school is not International school , but just a private local school with one class taught in bilingual ( English and Mandarin) for daily basis. The other class just have English for 2 hours per week. I think this is a great opportunity for her to learn Mandarin. Her classmates are mostly overseas Chinese, that happens to return to China for various reason, or some from mix parental families. Or foreigner who stays long time in Shanghai. 

Maya is the only one who come from the non Mandarin speaking family. For first week I think it was a bit hard for her. But never underestimate the children's ability to adapt.

Her class is huge. With many  parts . One part is the main learning center. Where it has the touch screen that the student can touch when they use the CD ROM program to do some learning. Yup the books are much more high tech , they use CD ROM, and a hard cover books and stickers to learn. I don't mind to have something more simpler, but then here, looks  like the school like to use the more " sophisticated" books and program to teach.

The daily routine is almost same like any school , I guess, eat breakfast, learning, story telling, lunch, nap, sometimes they have gym class.Tea break and another class in the afternoon.

On the top is the main class room. And Maya is doing the daily drill for new Chinese character ( nope she can't recognize yet :P )

 

And this is the art corner, which is so tidy and neat with the art supplies suitable for young kids












Montessori corner for Math which is a plus and I am please that they do that


The role play room. With babies cradles and kitchen .


The other play area with small games

This is the sleep area. The blanket and mattress is from school but we paid for it. There are 2 sets of bedding for hot months and cold months. The uniforms also come in seasonal style.

The tiny cute sink and toilet :)

Dining area

This was on the open day. Where the parents can see the activities. This is the indoor gym class. Very impressive ,it looks like fun place to do gym for kids.

And this is my lil gal who is growing up so fast. :)

Her English teacher is from the Philippines and told me that Maya's vocabularies level is the same like those 5 years old . Not surprising since her environment at home is English speaking and she listen to many of Indy's homeschool subject . She even can mentioned almost all of the South East Asian countries :) . Her Chinese teacher said that Maya is catching up wonderfully in her Mandarin class.

Many  other teachers and admin staffs told me in person, that Maya is a very delightful girl. She comes to school with her cheerful happy personality. Always polite to all the teachers, and they commented : but she is not a typical girl., she is fierce and can protect her self ( meaning she push back whoever pushed her :D ). And pretty mischievous too, on the school bus, the lady in the admin asked her : how do you stay bird in English ( Speaking in Mandarin). Maya replied : Wo Bu Gao Su Ni ( I will not tell you!!) and grinned....

Just a note : Yesterday Maya told me she got the blood test from school. I know the schools need the blood test and urine test prior entering the school. And now is the additional blood test she had. It is to check her hemoglobin level. To see the students is malnourished and the school can plan the meal. ( those who has lower level they will serve quail eggs and those who are fine they will serve tomatoes as afternoon snacks )

I think it is indeed a good move for any school!
Until then....
XOXO
S.R

The Bullies

Reading from KhloeK's blog about bullies.

Lately I've been hearing a lot of horror stories about bullying and I wanted to take a moment to vent my frustrations about the issue.  I'm sure most of you have heard about Phoebe Prince, a teenage girl who hung herself after constantly being badgered by kids at school.  I also heard about an eleven-year-old boy who took his life as well after being bullied by his peers. 

And I also heard some stories of bullies in our neighborhood countries . It is not uncommon. Or you even had the experience with your own children.
This is a very serious matter to be consider and for us to speak and help them.

As parent we need to teach our children the importance of being kind, that is why I kep blabbling again and again that good character building is VERY important.
I know we are all so stressed out about the grade, the academic results, but we must also see things from the children side of story. They are dealing much more now a days compared to our old schooling days.
There are academic pressures, parent's pressure, peer pressure and still must dealing with bullies .
The most common also is the " popularity issues" ,mostly happens for girls. When they grow older, there is pressure in fashion ( who can wear the latest and branded fashion) , be popular in school, dating the "it" guy, having the latest cool high tech gadget ( latest phone, Wii, PS3 ). The list are endless.....


What I've seen sometimes is that as parents, we often , can't see that our own children needs help. Sometimes the "tween" age is the age that is tricky, they are not so open with their own parents. Or , they feel , when they said something to their parents, the parents just brushed it aside . Like for example : if a girl  cried for some how a silly thing, the parent often just said : stop crying , you are not a baby anymore, why must cry for such a matter?
The fact is : baby or not, even adult we still cry sometimes.
How can you expect a kid to open up and talk to their parents if the parents just brushed them off like that?
It makes they feel like their problem is not important.


Same like, if the kid wants to talk to their parents about the bullies at school. But the parents just brushed the matter off again.

Also, if the bullies matter is about the race. Please do not make it worse by telling your kids that is certain race is like that. Or make it worst to say that because of their skin color the friends often make fun or her.


I was raised in the biggest Muslim population  country. Trust me, I know what is like to be raised up in a racist environment. Now, however , it is getting better there. And I , as a kid, promised to my self one thing :
Even though sometimes it is hard to be called named of my race , in front of public, and felt really really intimidating, I make a vow to my self that this wont turn be to be one of them /racist. If I have the " revenge" feeling, and I can't let it go, the world won't change to a better place. I need to do what is the opposite of what I've been through. I don't want to have the bitterness to caged my whole adult life. I don't want my kids to grow up as the person I don't like when I was a kid.


So , please , parents , do not raise your kids with your own bitter childhood ( what ever is it , in my case that is racist, some might have been their poverty, very strict parents, broken home childhood etc). Let it go, and make this world a better place , starting with your own family.


If you are the parents of the bullied kids , please take action ! It is not too late.
If you think your kids is having some problem,  please talk to them, heart to heart, as friend, not as parents. Show them that they could talk to you and trust you with that matter. The sad thing is that often parents doesn't know what is going own with their children life.( Specially with older kids , when you feel like you lead your own life and your kids are having their own life and you feel there is some connection missing)
If you think that your kids are the bullies, please talk to them,  teach them to be kind, because knowledge , power, and wealth with no kindness won't take them far.

To the parents of the bullies: Kindness is the #1 lesson to teach your children.

To witnesses of bullying: Intervene, no matter what it does to your reputation!!!

To the children being bullied: Hang in there, things will only get better as you get older.

 

XOXO
S.R

When I wrote

When I wrote the blog, I didn't or even don't thing of how many people or who will be reading this post. Sometimes I just post a random thoughts of the day. Result of day dreaming in between my daily chores or just because I see any pattern or behavior in my recent surrounding or in the past.

Some more , I don't think my post is that interesting to read, unless, the readers know me personally. So when a comments or two came from some" stranger" reader, I feel like, ow ok... someone is actually reading my blog without knowing me. I admit, I don't read other's blog that often,but one of two blogs caught my attention and then I keep following it back. Of course I am glad that someone ( besides my loyal blog friends) is reading my blah thoughts.

To blog or not to blog is tricky you see.... Some times you would blog about A things but it might offended other's feeling without you being realize it.But thinking of the freedom of speech and the freedom to blog, I will said just said pour your thought to a "respectable" manner of blogging.  I do not like the blog war to the details and mentioning name  or facebook status' b**thing or drama or whatsoever anyone's else say it. Well, lucky for me, my life is pretty boring. My personal blog  doesn't have any war so far , and when I run my online biz, I had another blog for that ( which.. remind me to export the blog contents to the new owner... sorry for the waaay delay) but I am proud to say that, as far as I remember, I never post any drama-esque post there too. And I am happy because the new owner has the same way of thinking and common sense like me ( double yay!)

Well , I think it happened once to me, the "social networking" had turned to a tiny drama. But again I handled it with class but the other party handled it like a trash! Ouch... oh  yes I can bite too sometimes. heheheheh .
but this is waaaay years ago , and it is happens because of the social networking with the initial FS.

Well , as I said... my  post is not always interesting. And hey you are still reading this? :)

Oh well.. today is the GOOD FRIDAY, and Easter is here!  Have a great and peaceful Easter week for those who celebrate it and have a fantabulus time  to you all.

Happy blogging... keep the interesting post coming!


xoxoxo

S.R