Dim Sum, Yum Yum!
Educational Explorations
Did you know that Disney's Mulan is actually based on a true story? The character is inspired by a Chinese Folklore called "The Ballad of Mulan", which has been said to be the oldest known version of Mulan's story. I'm looking forward to introducing Ellie to one of my favorite Disney movies! Check out this video below for you and your preschoolers to learn a short dance to "I'll Make A Man Out of You"
Want to add some fun to learning about the different continents using finger puppets? Click HERE!
Let’s Jam
Ellie loves listening to music and with February marking the start of the Chinese New Year, we love to incorporate Asian inspired music in our home! Here’s a list of just a handful of songs we’ve been listening to.
· Kang Mandor | Ujaang Suryana (lullaby for the babes) from @putumayo_world_music)
· Typewriter Tip Tip Tip (Bollywood-all about writing a letter on a typewriter) | Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
· Tulou Tagaola | Auli'i Cravalho & Vai Mahina
· Loyal, Brave, True | Christina Aguilera
· Dim Sum, Yum Yum! | Music Moves In Me
Available for purchase at musicmovesinmesongs.com
Essential Oil | Commonly Used in Asia
This month's essential oil favorite is Bergamot! Similar to a lime scent, this citrusy oil was often extracted from the Citrus Beragamia tree, formally most commonly found in the Southeast of Asia. Our essential oil expert, Christina Main of @sweetlavenderessentials loves to incorporate Bergamot by way of the simple diffuser method. She finds it to be very calming! Which essential oil is most calming for you?
Cite: Aromatherapy - The Balance & Harmony of Body and Mind
A Spin on Spring Rolls
This kid friendly and healthy fruit spring roll is one the whole family will want to take a bite from! Here’s a simplified version of a traditional Vietnamese spring roll:
What You’ll Need:
15 Rice paper wrappers
5 cups of fruits (ie: cantaloupe, watermelon, pear that can be cut into matchsticks)
5 strawberries cut into slices (use any fruit you would like, that will be seen through the wrapper)
1/3 Cup Hot Water
The How To:
Slice the strawberries
Cut the remaining fruit into matchsticks - about 6 inches in length
Pour the hot water into a plate, being careful not to splash.
Place one rice paper wrapper into the hot water for 10 seconds. Make sure the entire wrapper gets wet.
Place the wet wrapper on a plate or cutting board
In the middle of the wrapper, place several slices of fruit that you sliced from step #1
Place the matchstick fruit on top of the fruit slices. Add as much or as little as you would like. The more you add, the thicker the roll will be.
Fold one corner of the rice paper over the fruit. Tuck in the sides and continue rolling.
Serve and Enjoy!
Courtesy of Pinterest| NaturalDeets
Little’s Reading List
Reading together might be Ellie’s favorite part of the day, she’s getting older so she has been way more engaged into the reading. Although, that might be less of mommy’s acting skills and more so due to all the yummy food content the majority of our reading has included lately!
*Coolies is recommended for ages 7 and up to read with mom and dad since there are some historical facts regarding the racism and bravery Chinese people had faced when immigrating to the United States.
