兒童書介紹 － 《超神奇洗髮精》

很多小朋友都不太喜歡洗頭，怕洗髮水流入眼，不喜歡水從頭頂沖下的感覺。

如果你的寶寶也是這樣，快跟他們分享由宮達西也，陳瀅如翻譯的《超神奇洗髮精》吧！

故事中的世界出現了很多外型有趣的洗髮精，火箭啦、獨角仙啦，小企鵝等。 「我」和城中的所以人也湧到大賣場瘋狂購買⋯⋯可是奇怪的事發生了！所有用過神奇洗髮水的人都變成了火箭、獨角仙，小企鵝，爸爸還變成讓人聞風喪膽的怪獸酷斯拉呢！這一切原來是超神奇怪俠搞鬼！究竟全城的人如何才能變回原狀？為甚麼「我」說以後會乖乖用普通洗髮精洗頭？大家真的要看看這個故事啊！

《超神奇洗髮精》並不是甚麼勵志或充滿教育意義的故事，書背甚至也寫這是一本「超無厘頭的超神奇洗頭繪本！」不過，這是一本很適合小朋友的繪本。透過簡單的文字和古靈精怪的插圖，表現了作者充滿童心的幻想，讓小朋友們好好享受閱讀的樂。這書很快也成為我家最受歡迎的睡前故事呢！

有時候，我們給孩子看書，不一定是要他們明白甚麼的大意義，也要給他們機會天馬行空一下！

有關資料：

書名： 《超神奇洗髮精》

出版社： 小魯文化事業股份有限公司

作者／ 插畫： 宮達西也

翻譯： 陳瀅如

A lovely day

Finally it is cooler today.  We were literally baking under the sun last week.

Many political incidents happened in Hong Kong in last few weeks.  People were murmuring "Hong Kong is dying".  However, if you look back the human history, our lovely home is still far from dying. 

My kids are playing some imaginative games in their bedroom right now.  They laugh, they yell, they just enjoy themselves.

Yes, life is never a piece of cake.  Let's appreciate every tiny beauty around us everyday.  Guess what, even a cool breeze from an electric fan can make you happy.

C'est la vie.

Time to make a change again?

Counting my fingers, this is the fourth year I work as a mom full time.

You are correct.  My big one is already 8, I should be a mom much longer than that.  I mean I had dedicated to stay full time at home since 2010.  In the last four years, I worked as a part time/ freelance market researcher, and occasionally on some other jobs, like marketing, blogging, even as awkward as 'name-giving' to a company.

Anyway, my little one will study primary 1 in coming September.  I am wondering if I should join the workforce again, full time.

It is not an easy decision.  First, I am not sure if my little one can handle the primary 1 well.  Should I just stand by?  Second, there are so many ad hoc events every week, not to mention all those after school classes I should send them back and forth.  Third, working full-time means I should compromise my flexibility now.  I don't want to skip or even quit my piano and French classes.

Sigh! Let see.

C'est la vie

小時候，我爸的書架裏有一本育兒書。有天百無聊賴，我取了來讀。當時還是一至二年級，很多字也不會讀，但令我印象很深刻，是書中介紹一個獎勵計劃的禮物表。表中在「默書100分」旁畫有一杯軟雪糕。後來，當爸爸真的實行讀書獎勵計劃，我得戚地說我知他從那裏學來這小把戲。

好了，到我成為家長，也走到書局物色育兒書。近來這類題材的書發展蓬勃，選擇之多令人花多眼亂，但未必適合每一個人。例如英國有一知名的育兒專家認為幼童必須在晚上七時入睡，這在香港沒有幾多個家庭可以實現。又例如我讀過另一本以心理學為本的育兒書，教導家長替嬰兒換片時，就算聞臭味也不要皺眉頭，因為這會影響孩子的自專心，我就覺得有點過了火。

讀過這麼多育兒書，有一本我很喜歡，也給我很多啓發，就是French Children Don’t Throw Food。這本書的作者Pamela Druckerman是一位美國人，與英國人丈夫與三名孩子居於法國，每天受著文化衝擊的她，發現法國人育兒方式與英美很不同。她覺得法國孩子看起來總是很有教養，不喧鬧。這與法國人從容的處事方式有關。”C’est la vie!” （”That’s life!"）是他們的生活態度。例如，法國媽媽不會迫孩子吃東西，反而鼓勵孩子嘗試不同口味。當他們不喜歡某種食物，她們不會勉強，待下一次再嘗試。媽媽著重的，是教孩子享受食物，而不是無止境的角力。

在法國家庭，大人也愛錫孩子，但不會視孩子為中心，相反，他們會要求孩子去適應大人的生活。他們會定下規條讓孩子遵守，要求孩子學懂尊重身邊的人，換過來大人也會信任孩子，很多事會給他們做決定，不會過份保護。這跟英美甚至是華人社會不同，我們常將孩子放在中心，爸媽一定要以孩子為先等。當然，我們不能說那一種方法較好，但我相信法國育兒文化會讓你有所領悟。

法國媽媽無論多忙也給自己私人時間，好好打扮一番，在街上你會見到拉著寶寶們的媽媽總是打扮得很時尚，很亮麗！所以，香港爸媽們，愛錫孩子外，也愛錫自己多一點吧！

Am disappointed to myself

I am disappointed to myself because I am lack of confidence.

I should convince myself I can achieve more than I imagine.

Just leave my comfort zone and try!

小孩與小毛孩的相處

身邊有很多朋友養貓咪，他們都叫自己做貓爸媽，對小毛孩愛護有加。今年我也成為貓媽咪的一分子！從貓舍領養了兩隻只有數月大的小家貓，令我們已有兩個小男孩的家更加熱鬧！貓舍負責人很有心，給予我們很多小孩與小毛孩的相處心得：

養寵物，全家一起決定

決定養寵物前，先肯定自己的能力和時間，家人對寵物是否有敏感等，並承諾照顧牠們一生。除此，也要詢問孩子的意見，因為這是一家人的事。當決定一致後，所有人也要承諾照顧貓咪。

建立好關係

為了替小朋友與貓咪建立好開始，可給予他們機會去餵貓咪。基於動物本能，牠們會信任提供過食物的人。另外，如果貓咪的性格很親人，不妨多鼓勵孩子摸摸牠們，讓牠們感受小主人的愛。

避免受傷

如果孩子不懂如何跟貓咪玩耍，雙方也有機會受傷。首次，要孩子明白自己的身形和力度也比貓大，所以要溫柔的對待牠們，不能因做出欺凌行為。否則，就算一個動作，也可以令牠們受重傷。

另外，我也聽過貓咪咬傷和抓傷孩子的意外。最有效的預防方法是教導孩子保護自己。貓咪玩得很興奮時，有時會誤當人的手是玩具並咬著。不要立即拉出來，除了有機會受傷，還會令貓咪以為那是會動的玩具，再撲上去咬。正確的方法是大聲一點責備牠們，或者將手向牠的口裏輕推，牠會因受驚或覺不舒服而將口打開。

給予孩子管教小毛孩的機會：當牠們頑皮，千萬不要動手打，這會令貓咪不再信任他們。孩子可以用手指指著牠，壓低聲線，嚴厲的責備，慢慢，貓咪便懂得紀律，也學懂孩子是「老大」，不會弄傷他們。

只要關係建立得好，貓咪會是孩子成長的好伙伴，家裏的快樂泉源。

Phew! 我沒有老花

之前很擔心，本身有遠視，但近兩個月眼睛變得更模糊，帶上眼鏡也不太清楚；已經用大螢幕的手機，看上只十分鐘眼睛便累得有點痛。我以為老花終於出現了，加上遠視，離沒有眼鏡就讀不到menu的日子不遠了。

後來發現眼鏡其實被貓咬花，才帶著眼鏡也看不清。不過我仍未釋除老花的疑慮，的起心肝檢查眼睛和配眼鏡。視光師替我檢查過後，幸好眼睛仍未有老化跡象，遠視也沒有加深。可能是之前病了一個月我整個人都很疲倦，加上胡思亂想和貓咬花眼鏡，令我有視力衰弱的感覺啦！

買了一副新眼鏡，是Linus替我揀的。眼鏡框很美，是Tiffany, 只是我帶得不美。。我是那些帶了眼鏡也不會增加知性美的女子。我知的。。。

My cat loves cosmetic brush

Can't believe my kitten Biscuit loves to play with my cosmetic brush.  Especially the Bobbi Brown face blender.

You do have a good taste kitty.

幸好沒有青出於藍

哥哥從學校回來，書包總是都像垃圾崗一樣。文具好似狂風掃落葉倒到書包。通告有時會變成紙團。見到這境地，我問大袁生男孩是否都是這樣子。他說是。我不信，問他小學時是怎樣。

袁：「我從來唔執書包。」

我：「？？？？！！！！點解你要咁做？」

袁：「唓！來來去去都係上嗰啲堂，邊度洗執書包，最多重啲！咁樣又唔洗唔記得帶書，幾好呀！」

看著他那應該發育健全的體格和尚算筆直的身型，我狐疑：「又話重書包影響骨骼發展？」

「傻嘅！我就係咁練大隻。」大袁生輕描淡寫道。

My life with kittens!

Finally two kittens joined our family.

They were street cats.  We adopted them from an association.  Their original names were awesome - White Tiger and Black Tortoise (白虎和玄武), two of the four symbols of the Chinese constellation.

However, Lucas and Linus wants to change their names.  Many suggestions came out - Phineas and Ferb  (the pair of creative brothers from Disney animation), Bean Bean and Egg Egg (bfffffff), Biscuit and Cookie (more cat name like).  We hadn't come up any agreement until yesterday.  We picked Biscuit and Cookie.  Let see if the kids would stick with these names...

Life is never be the same once you have a cat.  I start to be paranoid.  They run everywhere without a sound, will suddenly jump on to your lap, crawl on your back like conquering Mount Everest (ok I exaggerate, maybe just Ma On Shan), bite your heel suddenly because they think it is a toy in beige colour.

Then, they always purr and curl on your lap, they also welcome you back home by brushing against your legs.  They stare at you gently under the moonlight.  All these make you feel it is worth for you to clean their toilet a few times a day.

Here~~ Biscuit and Cookie!!!

露絲瑪莉的蘿蔔糕

媽媽露絲瑪莉每年都做蘿蔔糕給身邊的人，非常美味，是妹妹和我的至愛。由於我們的口味很清淡，這個蘿蔔糕食譜沒有臘肉，不過你可加入任何喜歡的材料。

材料
八斤蘿蔔

水5碗*
兩碗半粘米粉
兩碗半糯米粉

細冬菇大約15隻

蝦米一碗

元貝一碗

粘米粉一碗半

粟粉一碗半

調味料：鹽3茶匙、白胡椒適量、雞粉一茶匙

*本食譜以「碗」作單位，即飯碗。

製法

A. 預備材料：

1. 蘿蔔去皮砌條，放入兩湯匙糖，加入水煲大約15分鐘，或蘿蔔開始腍身為止。如果想蘿蔔糕口感綿密，可將蘿蔔刨絲。
2．將煲過蘿蔔糕的水倒出，留下一碗水備用。

3. 元貝先炸香，用吸油紙將油吸乾，再用刀面壓碎。備用。
4. 冬菇砌粒，用糖和豉油來醃泡10分鐘，炒香。備用。

B．拌入材料：
1. 將蝦米和元貝混入蘿蔔條，拌勻。

2. 加入粘米粉，拌勻。

3. 加入粟粉，拌勻。
4. 加入A2的水。

4. 加入調味料，拌勻。

C．蒸煮：

1. 開中火，不斷攪拌。直至煲底的材料開始結成一團，收火。

2. 預備錫紙，在盆底塗上花生油。
3. 將蘿蔔糕團放入錫紙盆， 壓平。然後鋪上冬菇，再壓平。

4. 煲滾水， 放入蘿蔔糕蒸一小時， 其間每15分鐘加滾水到鍋裏。

5. 完成囉！！

A confession of a cream freak

I confess I am a cream freak.  Precisely, I am a skincare freak. Some people obsess in clothes, bags, shoes, my obsession is to skincare products.  I know that to achieve healthy skin, you don't need much chemical on your face.  Be natural, don't expose under the sun too much, eat well and sleep well can already make you radiant.

However, obsession is obsession.  My recent interest is in bb/ cc creams.  Frankly, those bb or cc or even dd cream naming is some brand and marketing strategies, each brand tries to differentiate itself with a new name/ concept of their products.  To me, bb/cc/dd creams from western brands are no more than tinted moisturisers, for those from Asian market are actually light foundations, with a fancy all-functions-in-one-bottle concept.

No matter what do they call, I do not put a layer of bb/cc/dd cream or tinted moisturiser on my bare face.  Instead, I put it after my day cream.  So far, the products on the right hand side are my favourites, let me list out their benefits below:

1. By Terry Eclat de Rose sheer tinted moisturiser
Pros: I used this even before bb cream was popular. The texture is great, it feels like a skincare product more than a cosmetic item.  It gives me rosy and glowing result. It is so light that I don't feel anything on my face.  I love to use it during weekend or when I have a casual night out as a light foundation.

Cons: Very expensive.  There is almost no coverage, therefore I will only use it when my skin is fair, and in autumn/ winter when my skin tone is relatively light.  Also, I guess there is no SPF protection.

2. Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB cream and BB cream starter
Pros: I have had the BB cream (beige one) first then the starter (pink one) later.  I used the former one alone and it is good enough in summer time.  It helps me to achieve the unique dewy- Korean-pop-star-skin tone (I hope you know what I mean).  When I blend it with the starter, the texture is even lighter and the tone is more natural.  My hubby thinks I look cute after I put on them.  It can also cover some imperfections.  They replace my 'traditional' foundation.

Cons: Not very long lasting, and it blocks my pores a bit if I use it everyday.

3. Olay tone correcting cc cream
Pros: I have just bought this bottle last weekend.  It is actually my first Olay product.  Surprising, it sort of fulfils my need during the days I just need to send/pick up kids to/from school bus, or walk around the neighbourhood, it is not necessary to me to wear a make up but I still hope I look pull together.  This is not a light foundation at all but a moisturiser with pigments and SPF 15 protection.  I feel comfortable with it on my skin, and it provides a sheer but not greasy look.  After a few days of usage, there is no blemish developed.

Cons: No coverage at all (but I don't mind).  Not sure if it is suitable for me in summer.

Hope everyone looks more beautiful in 2014!! XXX

窩心的食物

2014年已過了幾天，身體仍有點不適，大部分時間都處於遊魂狀態，連續多天失眠。昨午終於抱著也有點傷風的弟弟，一起狠狠地睡到幾小時。

醒後像行屍走肉般，在家行來行去不知要自己想要甚麼，過一會才發覺很肚餓，很想吃點comfort food.

Comfort food，我會譯作窩心的食物，那是暖和身體和精神的美點。

從書櫃找來Rachel Khoo的小小巴黎廚房食譜，做了Croque Madame Muffins. 

Croque Madame Muffins不是甚麼深奧的法式料理，它只是芝士火腿三文治烘底（其法文名為Croque Monsieur)個friend。這點心做法很簡單，那像小禮帽的外層，其實是切了邊的白方包，順著muffin pan的形狀壓成。每個muffin內，我放了碎火腿，一只蛋，蛋上再放兩湯匙由牛奶，牛油，麪粉，豆蔻粉，胡椒，和鹽做成的白醬，再撒上一點芝士。焗20分鐘，6個Croque Madame Muffins便完成。我沒有加入食譜原有的芥茉醬，因為6個我吃不掉，一定要找細袁生們幫手，所以順應了他們的口味。如果想做到半生熟蛋，焗15分鐘已足夠。

整個製作過程大概45分鐘，用小焗爐也可做到。

吃下一個熱熱的小禮帽，身體暖和了，感覺好了一大半。

有興趣可看這youtube，參考Rachel Khoo在Little Paris Kitchen的示範。（我覺得她很可愛。）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muRLOLmkEjc