Author Archives: samarhajjaj

Oct4

Fawaz’s Funky Friday

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Fawaz’s Funky Friday

It’s in Fawaz’s nature to always keep himself occupied, much like me just in different things.

Last week I talked about how you need to find a hobby and featured his diving.

Well as the weather starts to get cooler and diving season in Kuwait nears an end Fawaz must get his “winter hobby” back in shape…. that is Remote Control Cars.

Hold on… Hold on… Let me explain!!!!!

If you’re anything like me and a grown man tells you he’s into remote control cars and you get this “you can’t be serious” thought in your head as I did calm down its not just a silly remote control car we’re talking about.

These cars don’t come in a normal box and you just put 4 AA batteries in there to work. Faaaar from it.

These cars come in pieces, bolts, screws and all.

Fawaz can sit there for hours putting these high end cars together.

Yes he’s a handy man kind of guy. Loves to work with his hands.

He designs the cover, paints and puts all sorts of additions on to it to make it his own.

They even have little model men with helmet pieces that you paint and place into the car so it almost looks like someone is actually driving it.

Fawaz-RC1
Off course next stage is heading to the garden and testing the car out.

Fun time starts!

The reward is the final car all together and him and his friends head out to the dessert and “play”.

Do you think your man would be into it?? Check out Tamiya online to get a better idea. Or you can purchase it as a surprise on his next birthday from My Toy Co (Kuwait) and totally “Make Life Memorable” with your creative gift for him!

Oct2

For the love of Reading

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For the love of Reading

There’s nothing warmer than curling up in a corner and enjoying a good book. A time when your head is cleared and you’re entering a world of your own.

I try really hard to make sure that the girls enjoy reading, that when they think things are getting a little “boring” the choice of activity is to reach out for a book and enter the world of imagination.

So when I hear of an exciting new venture that involves books I jump to the occasion!! And what do I find but a place that I would love to take my kids to every weekend.

Granted it’s no Barnes and Nobles or Chapters but more like the “shop around the corner”

A used bookstore run by young volunteers with wall to wall shelving and little reading areas to engross yourself in.

Jennah was in book heaven!!!

J&Books
 

Jennah immediately propped herself on the floor and started making choices.

Between fairytales, mystery & non-ficton it was getting to be difficult to choose the 3 books allowance rule made by me. (yes yes I run a tight ship of rules!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
J-Reading
 
 
 
 
 
Book after book, in and out of the shelves….reading a few lines here and there…

 
 
 
 
 
Jennah finally made her choice that I approved of.

I couldn’t be happier!
books
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We Love Kuwait books are always a hit in our household!!

photo_3

 
 
 
The best part is you can buy the books for a fraction of their price and if you return them you get half your money back. Almost like a public library. Saves you so much space at home and it really gives children more selection to improve their reading.

So hats of to Bayt Lothan and double hats off to all the volunteers and a triple to all the patrons that support this effort.

Be sure to go to q8bookstore in Bayt lothan. Enjoy your relaxing time, choose a book prop onto the coach and “Make your Life Memorable”

Their hours are 5-9:30pm on weekdays
10am-9pm on weekends

For more information look the bookstore up on Instagram @q8bookstore

Oct1

Educational Workbooks

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Educational Workbooks

I’m the type of person when I see something I just have to stock up!!! Especially things that are hard to find and not always readily available in Kuwait.

There are 2 major areas (other than unique food items) that are always a challenge. Crafting materials and kids books/workbooks.

While I was shopping yesterday at Sultan Center (in souq sharq) I went upstairs to the kids/electronic section. I was browsing as usual just to see what the latest books they have.

Sultan-Book

To my pleasure I found several rows of children’s workbooks… It was so nice to see them in quantity, variety and for children from preschool up to grade 5.

If you’ve been shopping in Kuwait in the regular places where you might find these you’ll know that they can get very expensive and over-priced. I was very happy to see that the price range started from KD0.750 to about KD3.500.

So if you’re looking for something to enhance your children head out to Sultan Sharq because you never know when you’ll find them again.

The girls were very excited when they came back from school and found their new workbooks….
Sultan-JZBooks

Sep30

Banana Ideas

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Banana Ideas

In our household we always have an abundance of Bananas.

I use them daily in my green smoothies, great breakfast/snack for the girls yet we always end up with a few that are too ripe.

The lovely thing about these delectable fruit is that they are soooo versatile. Transformable to several things from Peanut butter & Banana Smoothie, Healthy Oatmeal & Banana cookies or Banana Muffins…. the list is really endless.

Yet at times I just want to save the fruit for a specific purpose ….My smoothie or you have too much to go in a baking frenzy.

As they say the “Necessity is the mother of invention”. I figured out the best way to actually freeze Bananas. It’s amazing because now it actually works well with the smoothie because it makes it even colder.
B1
 

You’ll need:
The ripe bananas (do not freeze unripe bananas they won’t do well in the freezer)
Cookie Sheet
Parchment paper
Knife
Ziploc bags
 
 
 
 
 
 

B2
 
 

Directions:
Peel & slice the bananas into pieces (about 2.5cm)

Place on the cookie sheet lined with Parchment paper.

Make sure that bananas are not touching to avoid sticking to each other.

Place in the freezer (uncovered) for at least 30 minutes until the bananas are solid.
 
 
 
 

B3

 
 
Transfer the banana slices into Ziploc bags.

I like to mark the bags with the date so that I know their “life”.
Squeeze the air out of each bag and seal.

Return back to the freezer.

The banana chunks are good for 3/4 months.

If you plan on using them for baking it’s a good idea to thaw them out.

NOTE: You can also use the same method without slicing the bananas and freezing them whole (peeled) and they will last for the same amount of time. I personally like to slice them as it’s easier to store in the bags.

Sep29

Dinner Salad

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Dinner Salad

Many days I stare at the open refrigerator trying to figure out what to have for dinner.

There’s just too many meals I have to think of in a day… Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack AND I want to be healthy & creative!!

My husband and I came to the conclusion of not doing “Big Grocery” as we call it. Granted we have to go more often but there are 2 upsides, One we eat everything without anything going bad and Two my best creative days is actually when I’m low in grocery choices.

Today’s Salad of choice is my own mix of what I had on hand….. (if you’re not a fan of quinoa you can substitute with couscous or pasta)
salad
Ingredients:
1 Cup cooked quinoa
1 Red Pepper, diced
5 Radishes, Slices
1 stalk celery sliced
1/4 cup Pecans, chopped
1/2 Cup Feta, cubed
1/4 Cup Olive oil
Fresh ground Pepper

Directions:
Mix it all up and enjoy!!
 
Q-salad
Off course the fun thing about cooking is you can always add or remove things to taste….if I had parsley on hand I would have definitely added some in there.

Have fun with your creations….it makes it all that more Tasty!

Sep28

Lights, Camera, Action

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Lights, Camera, Action

I sometimes feel that I value the performing arts over academics. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. I feel raising children in a broad and creative atmosphere will lead them to be more successful in the future.

In Kuwait we are limited with choices, above that the choices we may have seem to be pricey and not so great when it comes to value for money.

I did come across something that’s reasonably priced and wanted to share it with all of my fellow readers.

OneWorld

One World Actors Centre CIC is a not- for- profit social enterprise that invests profits into theatrical cultural exchange and the sponsorship of young artists. Through associations with TAQA productions, LOYAC and Bayt Lothan Cultural Centre, forerunners in artistic development in Kuwait, students and theatre professionals attending the Actors Centre have the opportunity to work with both national and international experts to develop their talents.

Courses started at Bayt Lothan last Thursday 26 September, but continue on…I’m signing up Jennah on Sunday. They are celebrating 15 years of providing youth theatrical training and productions to the community of Kuwait.
 
For more information:
Contact Eleni Rebecca on elenirebecca.arts@gmail.com
Facebook
Twitter

I’m really excited that Jennah gets to do a theatrical workshop….Broadway here we come!

I think this is “Making Life Memorable” for ME while Jennah’s just tagging alon…he he he!

Filed under Life | Comments Off on Lights, Camera, Action
Sep27

Fawaz’s Funky Friday

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Fawaz’s Funky Friday

I realized oh too quickly that there are a lot of involved father’s that don’t get much credit in the blog world by the overpowering “mom blogs” out there.

So I decided to have a special blog post every Friday that’s a little bit more “male” dominated.

The best to be featured is off course my other half Fawaz.

So here’s the deal, “Fawaz’s Funky Friday” will highlight his interests, his tips, possibly a picture here and there if I can get him to pose off course!

Let me tell you a little about Fawaz….. simply put he’s the TOTAL opposite of me! I’m camera happy while he’s camera shy. I’m totally out there while he’s very reserved. I’m a busy bee while he’s calm and collected. Yet we meet halfway somehow. It works!

His tip this Friday is find your hobby.

With the hustle and bustle of work and school drop offs pick-ups and mega activities. It’s important for any man to have a zone out time, that’s where you pull out the “hobby card”.

Some men chose to have a “man Cave” a place to runaway to and read a book watch sports games or just meditate in the dark.

F-dive

 
 

Fawaz’s Friday getaway in the summer is non other than Scuba diving. A dive to the deep blue sea and the sound of the regulator bubbles gives him his serenity.

While the weather starts to get cooler we’ll also share other hobbies that are weather appropriate.

So have a happy Friday all you Daddy’s out there and hope you’re “Making Life Memorable” with your Zone out time.

Sep26

Chocolate Fudge Cake

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Chocolate Fudge Cake

I love this cake because it’s extra moist so if I bake it a day in advance it doesn’t dry out by the time I serve it at my girls’ birthdays.

I also use this same recipe as I do my vanilla either 24 cupcakes or 2 layered cake.

Ingredients:
2 Cups flour
1 3/4 Cup Sugar
1 teaspoon baking Powder
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Salt
1 3/4 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Shortening
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Eggs
3 Squares (3 ounces) Unsweetened Chocolate

Directions:
Preheat oven 175 degrees C (350 degrees F)

Melt the Chocolate in a saucepan at low heat mixing continuously. Make sure you don’t “cook” the chocolate. Remove from the stove and let it cool.

In a bowl mix all ingredients except egg & Chocolate with an electric mixer until completely combined.

Add Eggs and chocolate and mix for an additional 2 minutes.
ChocCupcake
 

For cake use two 9inch round pans (greased & floured) Bake fore 30 minutes

 
For Cupcakes Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool before frosting.

Sep25

Baked Chicken Strips

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Baked Chicken Strips

I’ve shared with you a few of the “sweet” tasting foods and it’s time to share something from the savory department.

I’m an advocate of home made and freezing over buying something from the frozen section at the grocery store. How can “fresh” meat last for 2 years? Doesn’t make sense to me. PRESERVATIVES!!! If I can avoid it then I will.

Not to say I don’t indulge one in a while but when it comes to the kids I’d rather not.

My baked recipe uses fresh chicken breasts that I prepare and freeze for up to 6 months and tastes fabulous, if I may say so myself. The added health perk is I don’t fry I bake them and they turn out just as crispy.

Ingredients
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 1/2 Cup breadcrumbs
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Butter

 
 
 
 
 
 

Directions:
Preheat oven 175 degrees C (350 degrees F)

Coat each strip of chicken in the flour followed by dipping in the egg then coating in the breadcrumbs.

Place on a cookie sheet.

If you intend to freeze place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes until the breadcrumbs holds, remove from cookie sheet and place in an airtight container place aluminum foil in between layers, return to freezer. Stores up to 6 months.
strips

 
 
To cook:
Melt butter in microwave.

Pour melted butter on each strip. bake in the oven for 15 minutes, turn each strip and bake for additional 5 minutes.

The same baking method is used for frozen strips but add an additional 10 minutes to the baking.

This recipe is great because you can make a really big batch and freeze. Useful for lunch box, birthday party menu, play dates and quick dinners.

chick

Sep24

Vanilla Cake

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Vanilla Cake

My standard Vanilla Cake works well in making either a 2 layered Cake or 24 cupcakes.

It’s really a classic recipe that’s beyond basic but perfect in every way.

The reason I like this recipe is because it’s not too sweet which makes up for the sweetness of the frosting.

Ingredients
3 cups flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1/2 cup Butter (Softened)
2 teaspoon Vanilla
2 Eggs

Directions
Preheat oven 175 degrees C (350 degrees F)

In a bowl combine All ingredients except Eggs.

Mix with an electric mixer until it’s all combined.

Add Eggs one at a time and continue mixing.

VanillaCupcake
For cake use two 9inch round pans (greased & floured) Bake fore 30 minutes
For Cupcakes Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool before frosting.

My favorite ButterCream frosting will elevate the taste to the next level!

Special “Butter” Tip
If you’re anything like me and have to make a cake in between your other daily plans then you generally don’t have time to let butter come to room temperature and be naturally softened.

Use this tip! Slice butter into several cubes and microwave for 20 seconds at a time until its soft but not melted. It’ll also make it easier to measure.