Tag Archives: blog

straws sculpture – fine motor activity

Posted on May 26, 2014 | 2 comments

This Fun play was totally inspired by my son. Since he was a baby he shows interest in straws, he likes to pull it out of my drink, then put it back. Every time we are in a restaurant we order extra straws for him to play so i can save my drink 🙂

To encourage his interest and his motor skills, i got a bunch of colored straws (to add more fun to the play) to play with.

He got so excited when he saw the quantity!

But this time we are not inserting the straws in a cup, we are poking them in a homemade playdough. Click here for the safe homemade playdough recipe that i posted earlier.

He started by sticking the straws one by one. The sculpture started to shape out.

He had a good time building and rebuilding the sculptures. Every time i think it’s over, he removes the straws and starts again!

Constructive play begins in middle to late toddlerhood, when the child becomes motivated to combine and arrange objects to construct something new. At this age there is no rules for the play, you can show your kid how to play, but he always has his own way. Conventional toys are very interesting, but kids like to use items in the house to discover the environment around them. You see kids playing with tupperwares, lids, spoons… Sometimes simple things at home can be instructive and entertaining. With these simple straws we played for more than an hour and he was extremely happy and entertained!

And here is Nady’s beautiful straws sculpture. Isn’t it beautiful?

2 Comments

Posted in DIY, way to play

Tagged blog, DIY, jaymmy, kids, marmite et ponpon, motor skills, playdough, straws, toddlers activity, way to play

homemade minted lemon popsicles (mojito on a stick) – popsicoholic part 5

Posted on May 23, 2014 | 4 comments

When life hands you lemons, you have another option now than just lemonade!

Popsicoholic part 5: minted lemon popsicles.

There is nothing more refreshing than lemon, not just to eat or drink, i also use lemon scented candles, detergents, shower gel… For me lemon aroma is the most relaxing and refreshing.

My 17 months boy loves lemon too, he eats lemon slices without even blinking his eyes… These lemon popsicles are specially done for him.

Give your lemon popsicles a cool herbal boost using fresh mint leaves. In a food processor mix juice of 2 lemons, juice of 1 lime, 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves.

Pour it in molds and put it in the freezer without inserting the sticks. You will notice that pieces of mint float on top. After one hour take it out and with a knife make up and down movement, to distribute the mint leaves properly. Insert the sticks and return to the fridge to freeze completely, for overnight.

It should make 4 popsicles, again depending on your mold size. To remove the popsicles from the molds, run under warm water until they are easily released.

If you would like to have a mojito on a stick, simply add rum to the mix before freezing and chill out!

4 Comments

Posted in dessert, DIY

Tagged blog, jaymmy, lemon, lemon mint, lemon popsicles, lemonade, marmite et ponpon, mint, minted lemon, mojito, popsicles, recipe

homemade fresh pink grapefruit popsicles – popsicoholic part 4

Posted on May 22, 2014 | 3 comments

Popsicoholic part 4: pink grapefruit popsicles

Knowing that a lot of you are waiting for today’s recipe, i promise you it’s worth waiting for!

This is beyond expectations, you can’t beat this tangy grapefruit popsicle! Am sure it will be love at first bite.

You need:

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp grapefruit zest
2 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit
2 tbsp lemon

Bring to boil sugar, water and zest, stirring until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.

Stir in grapefruit and lemon juice. The mixture will taste slightly sweeter in liquid form than it does when frozen.

Pour in molds the strained juice and freeze for an overnight. it should make 6 popsicles, again depending on your mold size. To remove the popsicles from the molds, run under warm water until they are easily released.

You can add booze if you’re not planning to offer to your children. Vodka goes perfect with it! Citrus and vodka pair well together. The sweet, sour and bitter taste are together wondrously balanced!

Be different and offer to your guests a super easy to do dessert and enjoy your summer with these treats tasting like the most unbelievably delicious boozy popsicles.

Recipe says you can freeze up to one week, but who does? Am sure this will be gone in seconds! My husband had a challenge to finish it all before the next day. He said it’s his favorite so far 🙂

3 Comments

Posted in dessert, DIY

Tagged blog, boozy popsicles, DIY, grapefruit, homemade, homemade popsicles, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, popsicles, recipe

homemade fresh watermelon and kiwi popsicles – popsicoholic part 3

Posted on May 21, 2014 | 5 comments

Beat the heat with a refreshing treat!

Popsicoholic part 3: watermelon and kiwi popsicles.

This is an incredible summer dessert, low in calories and completely nutritious. Watermelon with kiwi, a little taste of the tropics to beat Doha heat.

In a food processor mix 2 cups of watermelon with 1 tbsp sugar and a pinch of salt. Salt might seem like a strange ingredient to add to a dessert, but it actually helps make the flavor of the watermelon more intense, but it can be optional, some people won’t like it, it’s very subjective. (my husband doesn’t like it with this pinch of salt, he is more into sweet flavors).

Again in the food processor puree 3 kiwis with 1 tsp of sugar.

Pour the mix in molds, making one big layer of watermelon and a small one of kiwi, to make it look like a watermelon wedge!

Freeze until solid. You should get 6 to 7 popsicles depending on your mold size. You can freeze up to one week.

To remove the popsicles from the molds, run under warm water until they are easily released.

So, what do you guys think? Anyone off to make some popsicles?

There is endless options to make, just pick your favorite fruit and popsicle it!

This is an incredibly refreshing dessert and is low in calories. – See more at: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2012/06/blueberry-vanilla-yogurt-popsicles.html#sthash.Baxpwi5t.dpuf

5 Comments

Posted in dessert, DIY

Tagged blog, desert, DIY, jaymmy, kiwi, marmite et ponpon, popsicles, watermelon, watermelon kiwi popsicles

homemade mango lassi popsicles – popsicoholic part 2

Posted on May 20, 2014 | Leave a comment

Popsicoholic part 2: mango lassi popsicles, for mango lovers.

Mango lassi is an indian drink like a milkshake, a blend of mango pulp, yogurt and sugar. It’s very delicious and refreshing. Usually served chilled on hot days, the perfect scenario to turn out this succulent drink into popsicles!

In a food processor, puree 1 1/2 cup mango with 2 tbsp yogurt and 1 tsp sugar.

In a seperate bowl whisk 1/2 cup of low fat yogurt with 1 tsp sugar.

Pour them in molds, alternating between the two mix. Let the mango puree layer thicker than yogurt. Make 3 to 4 layers. With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, swirl mixtures together in an up-and-down motion.

Insert ice-pop sticks and freeze until solid. Preferably overnight. To remove the popsicles from the molds, run under warm water until they are easily released. This quantity makes 5-6 popsicles depending on your mold size.

Nothing can beat the heat like a fresh fruit popsicle. So try making these, they are worth it! My son loves them! yes they are suitable for kids and nutritious too.

One cup of mangoes (225 g) contains the following:

105 calories
76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster)
25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision)
11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart desease prevention)
9 percent healthy probiotic fiber
9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells)
7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake)
4 percent magnesium