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What You Need To Raise A Beijing “Viking Baby”

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If you’re not familiar with the term, a “Viking baby” refers to the Scandinavian parenting methods, where children are exposed to the elements all year long, as if to toughen them up.  New parents are encouraged to leave their newborn infants outdoors for their naps, even in the snowy winter, and push them out for walks after just one to two weeks of life.  Playgroups, daycare centers, and kindergartens will take children out to play at least twice a day, rain or snow. Even elementary aged children are forced out for every recess unless they’ve got a doctor’s note.

Rain pants Lammikko

What’s the big deal, you ask? Well, if you’re from a sunny and warm climate, then there’s no problem. But if you’re in a Nordic country, then you’re looking at four seasons with plenty of rain, sleet, and snow.  Minus temperatures will freeze your kid’s snot and drool, so layering, having extra sets of clothing, etc. is a necessity, not a recommendation.

As many of us know, Beijing also has 3-4 seasons (it’s debatable), so don’t send your kid to nursery or kindergarten without the appropriate gear.  Make sure you ask your child’s teachers how often children are taken outdoors, how long they stay out for, and whether they have heaters to dry wet clothes after play time.

reima

In making this list, we’ve kept in mind that it doesn’t get that cold in Beijing, we also have suggestions for pollution masks. While it’s understandable that parents would prefer children to stay indoors (where the air is purified), studies show that any exercise we get outdoors outweigh the negatives brought on by pollution.

 

For Pollution (all year long)

3m mask

 

3M N95 1860S (for kids 3-15)

cambridge mask

Cambridge Mask

Cambridge Mask’s children’s sizes are determined by weight rather than age, giving parents a better idea of which size to purchase.

Respro (for kids 11+)

Although many parents swear by Respro for their kids, the manufacturer does not recommend the mask for children under 11 as they do not have a children’s line. The “small” size will fit children around the age of 11.

fitting TOTOBOBO mask on a boy

Totobobo (for kids 5+)

Totobobo has an entire section on their website dedicated to those of worried about children’s respiratory health, with everything from fit tests to a guide on how to customize masks to children’s faces.

 

http://vogmask.cn/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/P8-PandaPower.jpg

Vogmask (for kids 3-7, 7-14,14+)

The first fashionable face mask of its kind, Vogmask is comfortable and reusable (just handwash according to the instructions on their website).

 

For Rain

 

Kids' rain hat Ropina navy

Rain hat

You know how your kid’s hood is always falling down? Or maybe he doesn’t like it when you scrunch it up against his face and pushes it back himself? Maybe the scrunching is uncomfortable? Whatever the reason, keep your kid’s head dry with a rain hat that doesn’t have that round rim that folds up like that of Paddington Bear’s.

Kids' rain jacket Kupla forest green

Raincoat

A good raincoat is made of quick-drying material that withstands mud as well. It should scrunch up on the sleeves, but doesn’t need to scrunch on the bottom because kids will wear overalls underneath.

crocs rain boots

Rainboots

Some might think rainboots are not necessary with the few weeks of rain we get in Beijing, but given the amount of splashing kids do, not to mention the fact that puddles linger for a while in Beijing’s uneven streets, rainboots are a worthy investment. Buy a size larger to accommodate wool socks for colder days.

Toddlers' rain pants Lammikko Graphite black

Mudpants

Mudpants are overalls to be worn over normal pants to protect them from water, mud, etc. while playing outdoors. The mild weather kind only has one rubber-like layer, but can also be purchased with fleece lining for colder weather.

Kids' rain mittens Rapa forest green

Waterproof Mittens

Buy waterproof mittens without the fleece or wool lining for fall and spring weather. Kids who play without the mittens will find that water/mud will leak into their raincoats, eventually dirtying their inner attire.

 

For Snow

 

Overalls

Kids' balaclava Kota mid grey

Ski Mask

 

Ski glovesSmartphone gloves

Waterproof ski gloves

When it’s really cold, like when you go visit the Harbin Ice Festival, you need to prepare another layer of gloves to wear under the waterproof ones. And if you’re going to get gloves, you might as well get the smartphone compatible kind.

Ear protectors

KIDS HEATTECH LEGGINGS, DARK GRAY, medium

Longjohns

Traditionally, longjohns are overalls made of wool or fleece that you can wear under your outerlayer (say, jeans), and you can still buy such pieces at Reima.com, for instance.  However, the overalls can be rather inconvenient when using the restroom, hence why most people have been using two-pieces, or even just an extra bottom layer for not-so-cold-days.  Uniqlo’s heattech is one of the thinnest layers we’ve seen and doesn’t make you overheat when indoors (with heating). Wool stockings can also be worn as an extra layer for both boys and girls.

custom order for Carol

Wool socks

Everyone knows grandma’s hand-knit wool socks are the best, but buying 100 percent wool socks is the next best thing. Have a couple of pairs for the winter as they do tend to get wet (usually from sweat) and need to be changed often.

户外运动防水 保暖青少年登山鞋 QUECHUA Arpenaz 500

Winter boots

A good winter boot is well-insulated, waterproof, and quick to dry. It should be a size larger to fit multiple layers of socks, especially those thick wool socks you made after especially learning how to knit.

For Sunshine

Toddlers' UV-hat Alytos Ocean blue

Sun hat

No longer are caps enough in the summer, now you must find cap with UV protection and a neck cover! This is especially important for kids with short hair as the neck will often get sunburned. Look for fabrics with SPF 50+ protection.

Toddlers' sunglasses Ranta Lime green

Sunglasses

Sunglasses with the proper protection are not just a fashion accessory, but will protect your child’s eyesight as well. Nowadays they make toddler glasses with a rubber band to hold them in place if your kid squirms a lot.

 

T-shirt, Solomon ocean blue Ocean blue

Swim Shirt

A swim shirt, even for boys, will protect your child from harmful UV rays more than a sunblock can. Look for shirts with SPF 50+ protection.

Kids' swim shorts Zanzibar Ocean blue

Swim Shorts

No speedos for outdoor swimmers as long, knee-length swim shorts provide the best sun protection. Look for fabrics with SPF 50+ protection.

Juniors' summer jacket Dragonfruit Lime light

Summer jacket

Thin, near translucent summer jackets have been a trend in Asia for the past few years, which initially might confuse the onlooker as you note that it’s a) very hot, and b) not windy, but it turns out that the purpose of these jackets is to protect UV protection for scantily clad kids (think tank tops, swimsuits, and even t-shirts). Buy the real thing, though, as the fake ones will not offer the UV SPF 50+ protection that we need.

 

To purchase any of the items above, you can visit the physical stores of Uniqlo, H&M, or Decathlon in Beijing. Smaller brand stores, such as that of Reima and other brands can also be found at large malls, such as Solana.

Photo: Etsy, Greenpeace, Reima.com, Uniqlo.com, Hm.com.cn, Decathlon.com.cn,


Eyeballs, Frights and Fun at beijingkids and JingKids Halloween Party

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We’ve been mum on the activities you’ll be enjoying at beijingkids Halloween party, but we’re here to unwrap all the secrets.

_SUI1523 (1)

Before your kids start smearing their costume makeup with all the games they’ll be playing, start your night off right with a complimentary photo.

monster game

If you dare, there’s a monster box waiting to grab your hands or fill them with treats.

donuts

We’ve got spooky donuts dangling from a string that won’t be easy to eat without your hands. In our world, you can eat your own pumpkin lanterns with edible pigment, which kids will be able to draw.

UNI_3612

A very scary haunted house will frighten you before you make your way to trick-or-treating. What fall related party would be complete without traditional cornhole? Your kids might fall in love with this so much that Dads will need to make their own home set.

handprint_collage

We know parents love handprint crafts, commemorating the different sizes and ages, and we have planned just for the little hands coming on Saturday and Sunday.

eyeball

We’ll also have a fun pumpkin patch walk and eyeball relay race!

carnevil

Face painting of course will be included, along with a bony puzzle game, a plate of spiders craft, scary hand tossing, and a Halloween night light to use that very day.

 

We have only a few tickets left for these sessions, so make sure to get your tickets before Saturday and Sunday! Buy them here.

Saturday, October 29
Morning Session: 9.30-11.30am
Afternoon Session: 2-4pm

Sunday, October 30
Morning Session: CLOSED TO PUBLIC
Afternoon Session: 2-4pm

Prices (All Sessions):
Adult Ticket: RMB 150
Child Ticket: RMB 250
Child Ticket (group discount of 6 or more): RMB 200
Child Ticket (group discount of 11 or more): RMB 150

Each session is limited to a maximum of 200 children, and each year it’s been a sell-out, so act fast. Book your ticket online via the Yoopay online ticketing system, which accepts almost all international and domestic payment methods, including foreign credit cards, PayPal, China UnionPay and WeChat Wallet: https://yoopay.cn/event/2016halloween

Photos: Pinterest.com, triedandtrue.com, momdot.com, the5moores.blogspot.com, partyinabox.au

11 Beijing Events: Costume Party, Book Fairs, and More

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Where We’ll Be

Halloween Costume Party with beijingkids and JingKids, Oct 29-30
Ages 3+. Our party is special because it allows kids to have the full experience of Halloween, including all the fun of trick-or-treating in a totally safe, adult-supervised, indoor environment. Check out some of the games we’ll be playing this year. Limited to 200 children per session. RMB 250 per child, RMB 150 per adult. Sessions both days at 9.30am and 2pm. Buy tickets on Yoopay – which accepts everything from WeChat Wallet to foreign credit cards – here. Private sessions available. Canadian International School of Beijing (5934 6708, events@truerun.com)

For more Halloween events, as though you even need them considering the awesomeness that awaits you at beijingkids and Jingkids 10th Annual Costume Party, check out our events section here.

roundabout beijing

Free

Roundabout Book Fair at DCB, Oct 22, 24 and 25
All ages. Grab your own stellar book deals (as low as RMB 1) and support a charitable cause. Free. 10am-3pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9000)

Meet the BCAIS Principal at the Bookworm, Oct 26
Adults. Beijing Collegiate Academy’s principal will hold BCAIS monthly parent appreciation afternoon.This month the event will give families a chance to meet and chat with the principal while enjoying free coffee or drinks. Free. 1-2pm. The Bookworm. Building 4 Nan Sanlitun Rd, Chaoyang

Daystar Academy Open House, Oct 26
For adults. Daystar opens its doors for prospective parents to tour their brand new facilities as well as quiz the faculty on the school. Registration required. Free. 9-11.30 am. Daystar Academy (5603 9446, admissions@daystarchina.cn)

The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Education, Oct 27
Adults. Join this free seminar presented by Mr. Farshad Danicek Msc. Education Director and co-founder of the first trilingual Reggio Emilia inspired kindergartens in Beijing, and with over a decade of experience and expertise working in a Reggio Emilia environment. Registration required, deadline to register is Oct 24. 7.00-8.30pm Chaoyang Park West Gate, Victoria Gardens, 15 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xi Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西路15号维多利亚花园 (events@hokschools.com).

solids 2

Unique

Professional Women – Developing an Executive Presence, Oct 27
Adults. In this one-day session, AmCham China will look at some fascinating research, engage in dynamic discussion and, most importantly, teach practical tools on how to develop executive presence as professional women. This is an open course for professional women committed to their own growth. We welcome professionals from all industries and backgrounds. The program will be delivered in English. Coffee, lunch and light refreshments will be provided during breaks. RMB 2,000 (members), RMB 2,500 (non-members). 8.45am-5pm. AmCham China Conference Center (Register here)

OASIS Childbirth Workshop: Starting Solids, Oct 28
Adults.
Leora Martins M&C Nutrition Workshops aim to make the unfathomable, fathomable, the impossible, possible. Nutrition is a friend not an enemy and Leora will show how to make healthy living simple. Registration required. RMB 50. 10-11am. Oasis International Hospital (Ashley.Gaul@oasishealth.cn)

Spartan Race: Beijing Sprint, Oct 30
For adults. Need to test your human abilities? Well, the first ever Reebok Spartan Sprint taking place in Beijing features a 6km course with more than 20 Signature Spartan Obstacles, great for beginners and seasoned athletes. There are two sessions for the Open Individual and Open Group, 9.30am and 12.30pm. The Elite Individual is only 9am (men) and 9.15am (women). The early bird price ends on October 16. Registration required. RMB 489 (Elite Individual), RMB 459 (Open Individual), RMB 369 (Open Group). 9am-4pm. Location TBA (400 623 5058, spartanracechina@secaworld.com)

 

running-at sunset

Ongoing

BSB Baby and Toddler Group, Fridays
Ages 0-18mnths. Meet other moms of small children at this playgroup with plenty of age-appropriate toys, seasonal crafts, singing, actions, and more. Open to foreign passport holders only, the mother or father needs to attend, not the ayi. Drinks and snacks provided. Register by email. Free. 9-10.30am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588, play@britishschool.org.cn)

Bumps2Babes Playgroups
Ages 3 and under. This thriving parent community is geared toward parents with kids born after January 2013. It has free playgroups meeting throughout the city. We suggest parents new to the city get involved and hang out with a playgroup in your region. English speakers only. Don’t forget to ask to receive the newsletter and be added to the official Bumps2Babes WeChat group. Free. Time and location vary (beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com)

Beijing Health Week, Until Oct 29
Adults. From free or reduced fitness classes to workshops and seminars, there’s so much going on this week that you won’t be bored with all the flab-fighting going on. For more information and to register, click here.
Best of Next Week
We’re so focused on making the beijingkids and JingKids Halloween party awesome that we’ve forgotten that a next week even exists! Never fear, we’ll have plenty of events next week, if it every really comes.

Buena Comida: Fresh, healthy Mexican food at Hffousa Taco

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Our taster at Hffousa Taco is 5 year-old Blake, accompanied by dad Ryan. Ryan is a risk management consultant from north-east China, w  ho met his wife Molin in Canada. Blake was born in Toronto, Ryan says, though Blake himself begs to differ.

“I was born in a cellphone!” He announces gleefully. “I’m going into the world inside the cellphone!”
Blake amuses himself by taking pictures with his dad’s iPhone, while Ryan tells me more about the family. They returned to Molin’s native Beijing four years ago, and since had a daughter, Olivia (age 1.5). Molin is a homemaker, and Blake attends La Maison Montessori de Pékin (LMMP). I ask him what his favorite food is, and he gives me a huge grin, but can’t decide on an answer.
“Too many choices!” He says at last.

Hffousa Taco has been providing upmarket Mexican food to the shoppers of Indigo Mall since 2014. Theirs is a healthier take on the cuisine rather than the often greasy, calorie-packed version available in Beijing. Blake is sampling their new Children’s Set (RMB 38) with a fresh Orange and Apple Juice (RMB 28), while Ryan goes for the Shrimp Tacos (RMB 88) and Chicken Burrito (RMB 38).Kids_DO_Indigo_02_Uni
“Big chips,” a wide-eyed Blake says in awe when the food arrives.
“Yes, that’s what tacos are,” Ryan explains.
Blake tucks straight into his smiley-face fries, and it’s hard to say which smile is bigger.
“Mmmm,” is his verdict, and Dad clarifies, “Hao chi!”Kids_DO_Indigo_03_Uni副本
To Ryan’s surprise, Blake goes for his broccoli next.
“How about some pasta?” Ryan suggests, when the broccoli has been gobbled up, but Blake announces,“Chips time!”
Ryan is impressed with the freshness and flavors of the tacos.
“It’s so hard to find good Mexican food in Beijing,” he says. “How about some pasta now, Blake?”
“Fruit time!” Blake responds. He is fascinated byKids_DO_Indigo_01_Uni the flower-shaped dragon fruit.

The chicken burrito is as filling as it is tasty, and Ryan persuades me to try some of his shrimp taco. It’s as good as he says: firm, juicy seafood, with fresh salad, zingy lime, and a chili pepper kick, all in a crisp shell.
The rest of his plate cleared, it’s finally pasta time for Blake. Once that’s gone he reaches for a taco.
“I’m going to eat a big chip now,” he says, but Dad intervenes.
“That might be too spicy for you.”

He gives him a shrimp, and then empties out a taco shell for him, which Blake munches with tremendous satisfaction.
“Blake never eats this well at home,” Ryan says. They both loved the food at Hffousa Taco, and are already planning on returning next weekend, this time bringing Mom.

Family-friendly Notes: The restaurant supplies baby chairs. Indigo Mall has clean, modern bathrooms, and a park with playgrounds for children.
Kids_DO_Indigo_04_Uni
Hffousa Taco
Open every day, 10am-10pm. 2/F, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (8451 5678) 朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤港商场二层.

This article originally appeared on page 19-20 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: UNI YU

Breastfeeding-Friendly Shopping Malls in the Capital

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Beijing on the surface doesn’t seem very kid-friendly, especially when you consider how few public playgrounds there are. But keep scratching that surface and you’ll discover that it’s not so unfriendly, either. Malls specifically have added breastfeeding rooms to accomodate us hardworking mamas.

So we’ve compiled a list to aid you on those days you just wanna shop and bring your little sweetheart along:

1. Parkview Green Fangcaodi has two nursing facilities, one on the ground floor and the other on B2. It is located at 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, LG 2, Chaoyang District (朝阳区 东大桥路9号). They are open daily from 10am-10pm and can be reached at 6500-5511.

2. Indigo Mall’s (颐堤港) nursing rooms can be found next to the toilets on every floor except on the ground floor. It is located at 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (朝阳区 酒仙桥路18). They are open daily from 10am-10pm. For more information, they can be reached at 8426-0898.

3. Solana (蓝色港湾)’s nursing room is located on Level M. It is located at 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区). It is open daily from 10am-10pm, and can be reached at 5905-6565/68.

4. Galleria Mall’s nursing room is located on its second floor, to the right of the Uniqlo retail store. It has a comfortable seat, a diaper changing area and a socket for those who would like to charge their phones while tending to baby’s hungry tummy. It is located at 5 Shuguangxili Lu (northeast of Sanyuanqiao Bridge right outside Sanyuanqiao subway stop Exit B), Chaoyang District (朝阳区 曙光西里路5号(三元桥东北角,地铁10号线三元桥站B出口). It is open from 10am-9.30pm on Mondays through Thursdays, at 10am-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 10am-9.30pm on Sundays.
5758-1977

5. Molly Fantasy-goers will be happy to know that the Capital Mall in Taiyanggong also has its own nursing room practically next door! It is located on the third floor next to the toilet, but is very well-kept. It also has its own couch and a diaper changing area. Capital Mall is located at #12 Taiyanggong Middle Road Chaoyang District (北京市朝阳区太阳宫中路12号凯德MALL) and can be reached at 010-84150776.

6.Shin-Kong Place (新光天地) also has one on the 5th floor. It is located at 87 Jianguo Lu (beside China Central Place) Chaoyang District (朝阳区建国路87号 (华贸中心旁边). It is open daily from 10am-10pm and can be contacted at 6530 5888.

7. For those going shopping in Wangfujing, there’s a nursing room on the 5th floor Beijing APM (新东安商场(王府井APM)), b1 next to Starbucks. Beijing APM is located at 138 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District (东城区 王府井大街138号) and is open daily from 10am-10pm. For more information ring them up at 5817 6688.

8. Xin Ao Shopping Center (北京新奥购物中心)’s nursing room is located on Level B2 next to a barber shop called Li Fa (理发店). The mall is located at N0. 9 Hujing East Road and can be reached at 010-84371122 or 84371133.

9. The sassy Shuangan Department Store (双安商场) also has a nursing room on the 5th floor. When I called the customer service they couldn’t tell me where exactly the location was, except that it was in the southeast area. The mall is located at #38 East Street, North Third Ring Road, Haidian District (北京市海淀区北三环西路38号) and can be reached at 4001865588.

10. Another mall for you Haidian-ers is the Dreamport Mall (北五环的华润五彩城) which has a nursing room on every floor except for the first. It is located at #68 Qinghe Middle Street, Haidian District (海淀区清河中街68号) and for more inquiries they can be reached at 01066006666.

Mall information all from our sister site, The Beijinger and the all great Baidu.

Award-winning Project Brings Love of Reading to Beijing Schools

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On Friday October 21, China’s first Kids Read event took place in Beijing.

Kids Read is an award-winning project originally developed by the British Council, the UK’s overseas cultural and educational organization, with the goal of encouraging the love of reading in children of middle school age.

“Reading is the core part of any curriculum,” say Sam Ayton, Director of English at the British Council in China. “Reading boosts not only technical skills, but also communication skills. And most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!”

Founded in 2011, Kids Read moved to China in 2016, where it is sponsored by HSBC. The project aims to reach 1400 students and 40 teachers at six underprivileged schools across the city. The schools were chosen as having a significant number of minority or migrant children among their student body.

The project’s first community event took place at Changshengyuan Primary School, Changping district. Parents and grandparents enjoyed songs and stories from students, and also demonstration lessons from two teachers who have been trained by Kids Read, showing off the skills they have learned.

British educational theater group Whitehorse Theatre performed a play to help children learn basic English words, such as colors and foods. A group of students had made a video, which along with videos from schools all round the world will be shown globally on November 20, to mark the UN’s Universal Children’s Day.

At the end of the event the school was presented with a collection of 200 British children’s books. Zhang Huifeng, Head of Corporate Sustainability, HSBC China, said the company would like to build Kids Read into a long-term and sustainable program, “boosting Chinese students’ motivation in learning English.”

 

Photo: chinadaily.com.cn

“Let Me See Some ID…” this Halloween

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Unless you are from America, a legal drinking age of 18 sounds pretty normal. In most countries, including China, it’s very common to see 18-22 year old college students partying at bars and clubs, or even having a casual drink at dinner. However, in China, teenagers (especially foreigners) can easily purchase and consume alcohol before reaching the legal age of 18.

The “Foreign Look”

We may notice with our own kids, friends, and or families, that many kids today look a lot older than their current age. Even with people we see every day, or with whom we are well-acquainted with, age guessing can still be difficult. However, most people can give accurate ranges based on how they witness aging. For example, a Chinese person could probably guess the age of another Chinese person more accurately than one could guess someone of a different ethnicity. Some foreigners are frequently featured in Chinese media, however, add-ons such as make-up, dress, and role can also add a few years to each face. Therefore, making it seem like foreigners are older than they actually are.

Another reason is due to a lack of recognition. Up until 1978, China was closed off from the world. It was almost impossible to see anyone that wasn’t Chinese, or Asian for that matter, depicted on national media. There are still many people in China that haven’t seen foreigners in person, which makes them that much more foreign. Consequentially, when an International high school student walks into a liquor store to purchase alcohol, he is rarely questioned, because it is assumed that he is old enough. Shop owners often don’t even check ID.

According to Gail Zohar, radio show host and participant of the 2014 INN talk on underage drinking in China, even if a foreigner is clearly too young, most business owners still won’t intervene, because they do not want any drama with foreigners. Shop owners want to avoid negative encounters with foreigners due to the massive attention that it could bring. Clubs, bars, or shops that cater to foreigners attract other foreigners and young Chinese people, because foreigners are seen as cooler. A business that makes problems for foreigners can receive a bad rap that lingers thereafter.

Culture

Underage drinking in China is also very dangerous because it is not seen as dangerous. Zohar goes on to say, “China has a very relaxed drinking culture. Drinking and alcohol itself, is not seen as a drug”, something that one can be addicted to or an act that should occur in moderation. It is just as easy for underage Chinese nationals to purchase and consume alcohol. Although notably underage, 14- 17 year old Chinese nationals are still clubbing, bar hopping and purchasing alcohol with ease. This results in a drinking culture that is socially acceptable and particularly common among young people. Even foreigners who aren’t interested in alcohol themselves, may be introduced to alcohol by Chinese nationals or other foreigners who have been successfully buying and drinking alcohol for years.

Zohar also states, “Foreign families will come to China, and be relatively surprised at how safe it actually is.” Because of this, some parents let their kids stay out late, travel alone, and constantly drink because there is no fear of any major crimes occurring. However, as a parent, one should still take the necessary precautions in ensuring the safety of one’s child, his or her whereabouts, and health no matter how safe China is.

Counterfeit Alcohol

“Fake Alcohol” is a big trend in China, especially within international communities and neighborhoods.  “Fake or illegally produced alcohol is alcohol that is produced in unlicensed distilleries or people’s home and intended for sale.” (Adams, 2016) Fake alcohol is not regulated and contains many ingredients dangerous to one’s health. This alcohol can contain ethanol, pesticides, and other harmful poisons that can cause blindness, seizures, and even death. This is especially dangerous to China’s youth due to their still developing bodies. This is a major factor in regards to safe drinking in China for anyone, even if you or your kids are of the legal drinking age. Anyone can be a victim of counterfeit alcohol exchanges, no matter their age. If you are the parent of a child that is underage and suspect them of purchasing or consuming alcohol, a conversation is in order. Talk to your kids about safe drinking, side effects and the potential risks of drinking. Although underage, it is better to talk to your children about consuming alcohol safely, rather than drinking without any knowledge of the potential risks.

Foreigners, especially the young, are easy targets for counterfeit alcohol sales due to their lack of familiarity with Chinese brands and the corresponding prices. Foreigners are also subject to be hounded by club or bar promoters looking to get rid of event tickets. Be alarmed if you are invited for “free drinks” at a club or bar. Free anything should be an immediate red flag, especially when alcohol is involved. If its “free” it’s most likely fake, and you shouldn’t drink it. Counterfeit alcohol may be rebranded with a more expensive or well-known brand so that consumers are attracted to it. Counterfeit alcohol has a very strong chemical smell, and often doesn’t smell like the real stuff at all. Underage drinkers may be less cautious about what they are drinking and how it tastes/ smells which puts them at a higher risk. Have open and honest conversations with your children. Make sure they know the dangers of excessive and irresponsible drinking.

Have “The Talk”

  • What is the drinking age? Why is this law important and why should it be followed?
  • How much is enough? Determine an approximate limit for your height/ weight.
  • Explore different kinds of alcohol/ trustworthy brands (become familiar with appearances, (and if of age) taste/ smell of said brands)
  • Go over the importance of alcohol safety and constant awareness when drinking. (Never leave your cup out, don’t drink from another’s glass etc.)
  • Always go out and return with friends; don’t take (especially non-registered) taxis, public transportation etc. alone at night
  • Set up a curfew. Appropriate times to return home or to be out with friends. (If your child is too old for a curfew or does not live at home, set up a system to let each other know of emergency situations)
  • Bar/ Club settings: foreigners are easy sales targets

It may seem like having a conversation about alcohol with your sixteen year old high schooler may encourage him/ her to start drinking, or to now safely continue his/ her pre-existing drinking habits. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with the health of you and your family. China’s nonchalant drinking culture can cause quite a mix up when the drinker is underage, ignorant, and resourceful, given how counterfeit alcohol is so readily at hand in Beijing.

Rosh Hashanah Honeycakes: The Freudlich family keeps it sweet this new year

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Food, community, and culture are intrinsically linked, and this is seen clearly with Dini Freudlich’s family, where the love of food and family spills over into her kosher restaurant in Beijing. Dini Freudlich has five children: Mushka (20), Devora (19), Chava (13), Aaron (10), Grunia (9), Eleh (4, “and as he liked to remind me, almost 5!”). Her and her husband Rabbi Shimon Freundlich work with a company called Chabad that promotes Jewish welfare and sponsors international outreach programs. All of the children attend Ganeinu International School, which Dini helped set up. However, because it is hard not to disrupt the children’s schooling by moving around, the two elder schoolchildren (Chava and Aaron) are partly homeschooled. They have a home program in the afternoon, which is a Jewish online course that is taken by about 1,000 international students worldwide.
The little chefs were Dini’s youngest two children and three friends, who giggled as they helped each other set up. They shyly explain the symbolism of the food Dini has beautifully set up for the Jewish New Year on a table. The October holiday is an important one for Jews as the October 2 2016 marks the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The sample includes food such as apples and honey “for a sweet year,” round-shaped chalah bread to indicate the full circle of the new year, and a fish head (“ew!”) to symbolize being ahead of things instead of behind them. Sweet food is clearly a theme with sweet rice, pomegranates (full of seeds, symbolizing many good things to come), and carrots cooked in sugar.
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Kosher food is hard to find in Beijing, so Dini’s restaurant is a social space as well. This helps to create a home away from home for the Jewish communities abroad. Most of the ingredients can be found in local stores such as April Gourmet, Jenny’s, BHG, and so on. Specific kosher foods may have to be imported from the US or Israel, and there is a small shop next to the main restaurant to stock these and provide for those following a kosher diet.


Honeycakes 蜂蜜蛋糕 (1 portion)
2 tablespoons honey 两勺蜂蜜
2 tablespoons butter 两勺黄油
1 egg 一个鸡蛋
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence 半茶勺香草精
3 tablespoons brown sugar 三勺红糖
4 tablespoons flour 四勺面粉
1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4茶勺泡打粉

Method:
1. Add honey and butter to mason jar, microwave for 30 seconds to melt.
在玻璃瓶里加入蜂蜜和黄油。在微波炉里加热30秒,让材料融化。
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2. Add the remaining ingredients in the order of the ingredients list above. If Kosher, be careful to crack the eggs in a separate bowl to check for bloodspots before adding to the mixture.
照以上所列的调料顺序,把剩下的香料依次放入。如果要合犹太人戒律,应该先把鸡蛋打在碗里,查有么有血斑。
3. Mix well. Microwave for 3 – 5 minutes (depending on your microwave) until they have risen.
混合均匀。在微波炉里烹制3到 5分钟,让蛋糕膨胀起来。
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4. Be careful of hot jars! Eat straightaway or screw lid on and tie with a ribbon to give as the perfect New Years gift.
玻璃瓶很热,小心烫手!即刻享用,或盖上盖子,系上丝带,一件赏心悦目的礼物新鲜出炉了!

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This article originally appeared on page 21-22 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: DAVE’S STUDIO


Beijing Babies’ Cries More Melodic Due to Mother’s Mandarin Use

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A recent study conducted by Beijing Normal University and University of Würzburg show how babies born to mothers who speak tonal languages, such as Mandarin Chinese, have more melodic cries than those born to mothers who speak non-tonal languages, such as German.

Other tonal languages include Thai, Vietnamese, and Lamnso (the language spoken by the Nso from northwest Cameroon). Tonal languages require more vocal dexterity to be understood.

The study followed a previous study where researchers examined Nso infants’ cry in comparison to that of German infants.  The Nso language, Lamnso, is complex, with eight different tones and even more pitch fluctuations that can change the meanings of words.  They had found that babies with mothers who speak a tonal language cry with higher melodic variation, often with more extreme variations from high to low.

The study was repeated in Beijing to control for environment (modernity, specifically for electronics), which mirrored the results, though to a lesser degree. Mandarin also has four tones where pitch and pitch fluctuation affect the meanings of words.

So what do we learn from these studies?

  • Babies learn language in the womb.
  • Language development problems can be identified already in infancy
  • A mother’s most spoken language affects language development
  • Babies have a native language even before they “babble”

All this made us wonder one thing…why didn’t researchers test the nine-tone-Cantonese instead of the four-tone-Mandarin?

 

Photo: Flickr (Mark Doliner)

Hair Headaches: Fixing the Inevitable Child Snips Gone Wrong

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My daughter loves scissors, which means perfect for her creative interests but terrible for her hair and her brother’s. She likes to practice on him before snipping her own bangs. She once cut a bald spot in my son’s gorgeous medium length hair. I’m not so sure her motivations weren’t fueled by jealousy.

This past weekend, hubs and I were chatting at the dinner table when I heard giggling and yells of “Stop it!” coming from our forbidden bedroom. Our room is completely off limits because, well, imaginative and naughty children have easy access to scissors, markers, and lots of papers which are fun to color on but a nightmare to replace while overseas. You know, birth and marriage certificates and stuff. Nothing says official like purple hearts and pink flowers.

When I heard the yell of protest, I assumed big sis was romping on her 弟弟 (didi) while she is still barely the right size to physically intimidate him (not for much longer as that little boy is growing like a jimson weed). I probably looked like my mom in shock when I saw her dirty blonde locks lying in clumps under my desk. CLUMPS.

long hair

I wanted to cry, but instead I did what my mom would do. I stripped her of her clothes (easy to clean up the hair after) and set her in front of the bathroom mirror on a stool. Snip, snip. Attempt number one.

After a day I decided she looked way too much like a 90’s demon child, though she reported to me one of her classmates named Muyi liked her hair. Attempt two ended up with a pixie cut my husband hates with my daughter asking if she’s a boy now and if I still love her. I admit I messed up on the bangs but that’s not something a few hairpins can’t fix. I’ve now been forbidden to use the scissors on hair, too, after a reminder of my self-inflicted hair mishaps from the past. Funny thing is that a few friends have asked for me to cut their hair. No really, you don’t want me to cut it.

haircut

I don’t know if you’re brave like me or understand hair grows, but here are a few tutorials for a bit of guidance.

How to Cut Children’s Hair

How to Cut Boy’s Hair Like A Pro

Cut Children’s Hair

If you’re like my husband and prefer a stylist, we’ve enjoyed featuring these stylists in Indulge, our regular column where we give mommies makeovers. (Click on the headers to see each salon’s mommy/daddy makeover.)

Catherine de France 法式美容美发沙龙
Tue-Sun 9am-9pm. B1 East Avenue Bldg,10 Xin Dong Lu, Chaoyang District (8442 5120, 135 2147 3492, eastavenue@catherinedefrance.com) 朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁首层

London Loft  
Tue-Sun 9am-8pm. Unit 501, 5/F, Bldg 1, Dongwai Mansions, Dongcheng District (WeChat or SMS 1352019 9568) 北京市东城区新中东路3号院东外公馆1号楼501

Z by David Hairdressing
Daily 10am-9pm. B1-003, Bldg 5, 8 Xindong Lu Complex, Chaoyang District (8424 4533) 新东路8号院5号楼B1-003

Xiaomi Salon 小米沙龙
Daily. 10am-9.30pm. Shop 8-3/8-8, Left Bank, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (5905 1800) 朝阳公园南路6号蓝色港湾8-3/8-8店铺

Hair Attack
Daily. 9am-9pm. Unit 3006, Tower AB, Vantone Center, 6
Chaoyangmenwaidajie, Chaoyang District (187 1006 1306) 朝阳区朝外大街甲6号万通中心AB座2层3006

Laurent Falcon Sanlitun
Daily 10am-8pm. Bldg 43, Sanlitun Beijie Nan, Chaoyang District (6417 1371, 135 0137 2971, 135 0137 3971 laurent.falcon@hotmail.com) www.laurent-falcon.com
朝阳区三里屯北街南43号楼

Would you like to sponsor a makeover or get one? Get in touch! Editor@beijing-kids.com

Raising Multiple Children in an Only Child Society

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I never pictured the person I wanted to marry. I didn’t think of a particular height, hair color or country of origin the guy I’d marry should have. I did have a few criteria of exclusion though. I’d certainly never marry anyone from a really cold area. I never liked winters in Austria. Having lived in China’s south in the past and never in the north of the country, chances of meeting someone from really far up north were slim anyways. And even more important than that – I wouldn’t marry an only child. I grew up with seven brothers and sisters, marrying an only child would definitely be a bridge too long to cross. Or so I thought.

Raising two kids in an only child society

only-child-society-03Of course, everything turned out differently. While 2012 was coming to a close in the southern city of Shenzhen, I fell in love with a guy who was both thoughtful and witty. As fate would have it, he was from an area most famous for being the birthplace of China’s empress dowager Cixi, for its role in the Battle for Manchuria in 1946, and for the local pancakes stuffed with pork even Deng Xiaoping had once praised. The guy who would soon become my husband was from Northeast China and an only child at that. We have since moved up north and are raising two kids together trying to bridge cultural, linguistic, and generational differences (my in-laws live close-by) in a society that has forgotten how to raise multiple children.

Although my mother-in-law is an empathic person, she doesn’t usually show her emotions with facial expressions. Whenever we spoke about wanting to raise two children, however, her face would light up with a big smile, unable to hide her anticipation. When my husband and I told my mother-in-law that I was pregnant with our second child, her first reaction was a bit different though. She told my husband that we’d need to send our two-year-old to kindergarten, because she and my father-in-law can’t take care of two grandchildren at the same time when we’re at work. With our older son, both my in-laws helped us look after him when we had to work. It is quite common in Austria for one parent (or sometimes one grandparent) to look after two or three children during the day, but the Chinese style of parenting I have gotten to know through my in-laws is intensive. It really doesn’t leave much space for more than one child to look after at the same time.

A Chinese version of intensive (grand-)parenting

One aspect that makes looking after two kids harder is the emphasis on over-reliance. “You can’t do that on your own, let me help you with that” my father-in-law would tell my son when he attempted to peel mandarin oranges on his own, a skill he had already perfectly mastered at our own place. Another aspect is the belief that kids need to be entertained. Letting our son play on his own? He’d certainly be bored. And then, of course, there are various acts of love that wouldn’t be necessary, but they still can’t help doing, like carrying our two-year-old home all the way during rainfall in summer, one person carrying the child, the other the umbrella. They’d get soaked and would even forget their umbrella at our place, but their grandson would stay dry and that was the most important thing for them.

only-child-society-01I’m thankful that they are attentive and show their grandson so much love. He’ll always feel welcome at their place. But I’m also a bit torn and wonder how everything will work out when both of their grandsons  – one still a baby, one a toddler – are at their place at the same time. I’m sure they’ll find ways to make it all work, just as my only-child-husband and I will. After all, we can’t possibly keep the two siblings from being together – what’s the point of raising multiple children if you don’t let them grow up together?

Photos courtesy of Ruth Silbermayr-Song

Ruth Silbermayr-Song is an Austrian illustrator, German teacher and mother of two. She writes about life in China as a foreign woman, her cross-cultural marriage to a Chinese man, and child rearing bridging cultures and languages on her blog China Elevator Stories. Her story of being pregnant and raising her son in China will appear in the anthology “Knocked Up Abroad Again – Baby bumps, twists and turns around the globe”.

The China Vaccination Guide: What new Beijing expats need to know

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Many parents ask which vaccination schedule they should follow upon arriving in Beijing. If your stay is only for a few months, it may be better to follow the vaccination schedule of your home country unless your baby is an infant. However, if your stay is long term, it may be advisable to follow the local schedule for both babies and adults.
“I suggest you document carefully the vaccinations that you and your children received before arriving. If you plan to return after a long term stay and want to follow your home country schedule, it’s better to visit your doctor in advance to enquire which vaccines are recommended during your stay and whether they are available currently in China,” advises Dr Xiao Ping Meng, Director of Pediatrics at Hong Kong International Medical Clinic, Beijing (Hong Kong Clinic).

In Europe and the United States, your child will normally receive the following vaccines:
Hepatitis B, prevention against an infectious inflammatory illness of the liver
DTaP, a combination vaccine that protects against three bacterial illnesses: Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), prevention against the inflammation of the brain or the lung
Polio, prevention against a disease that may lead to paralysis
Pneumococcal disease, the most common cause of bacterial infection of the lungs
MMR, this is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.
Vaccinations for rotavirus (characterized by heavy diarrhea) and varicella (chicken pox) are usually received in these countries. In addition, it’s recommended that children in the USA and Europe are immunized against Meningococcal Meningitis (inflammation of the brain).

If you were well immunized according to your own country’s vaccination schedule, the additional vaccinations for China and also recommended for traveling in other Asian countries are:
Japanese encephalitis (caused by mosquito bites): it is a common communicable disease in Asia, and one should receive three shots in total.
BCG (tuberculosis): a child in China usually receives BCG on the second day after birth, due to the high prevalence of TB in China.
Hepatitis A (inflammation of the liver): two shots in total, six months apart.

Options for Vaccinations in China
China applies strict regulations on imported vaccines. In 2011, the World Health Organization announced that local vaccines now meet international standards, and the provincial government insists that the vaccines are safe and regulated if coming officially from the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Types of vaccination    Disease
Joint venture vaccines that are produced outside of China but packaged in China Hepatitis A and B (child), Pentaxim (5 in 1 for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Hib)
Local vaccines Japanese encephalitis, BCG, Meningococcal meningitis

Despite this, concerns over local vaccinations still exist. But the vaccination schedule is made according to the country’s own communicable disease prevalence, and therefore certain vaccines may only be provided in China or other Asian countries, so parents should make a decision based on balance and after consulting with their family doctor.
schedule
doctor
Dr. Xiao Peng Meng
Chief Pediatrician, Director of Pediatrics at Hong Kong International Medical Clinic, Beijing is in charge of pediatric medical service, child physical check-up and immunization (EPI) work .

 

 

 

 

We respect that vaccinations are a family’s personal choice.

This article originally appeared on page 23 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CLINIC

Can Children Take The HSK? Or What Chinese Proficiency Test Do Kids Take?

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For our column, Ask an Educator, we turn to educators, whether teachers, tutors, or principals, to answer frequently asked questions from parents. To send in your question, email jessicasuotmaa@beijing-kids.com.

This week, our question is:

Can children take the HSK? If not, what is the equivalent Chinese proficiency test for kids?

Answering for us is Miyee Woon, a private HSK tutor who prides herself on being able to teach foreigners as a non-native Chinese speaker.

Miyee Woon

When we decide to book our ticket to China, we probably thought that we should at least learn some basic Chinese in order to help us explore more in the country, and that our kids should be exposed to the new language as well. In today’s society, mastering Chinese (especially mandarin) is considered one of the essential elements to make one more competitive.

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) test is designed for those who aim to gain the qualification proving their ability to understand the spoken and written Chinese (Mandarin).

The HSK Test aims to assess your ability to understand spoken and written Chinese and consists of six levels:

Level 1, 2, 3 (HSK Threshold): Acquire 400-1000 Chinese characters, plus master the most basic HSK grammar requirements.

Level 4 (HSK Basic):  Acquire 400-3000 basic Chinese characters, plus Level A and B in HSK grammar requirements.

Level 5 (HSK Elementary-Intermediate): Acquire 2000-5000 basic Chinese characters (Level A, B, and C in HSK Vocabulary). Master Level A, B, and C in HSK grammar requirements.

Level 6 (HSK Advanced): Acquire 5000-8000 Chinese characters (Level A, B, C, and D in HSK Vocabulary). Master Level A, B, C, and D in HSK grammar.

(Source: 孔子学校 )

The HSK lesson plan would be a bit too boring for young children (4-6). Young children tend to have shorter attention span compared to grownups. Thus, an innovative lesson plan would be more appropriate to them, for instance, a story book reading accompanied by basic Chinese characters would catch their interest. The lesson can be taught in the form of game playing or storytelling. With the basic knowledge gained from home study, parents would have the option to send their children either to the local Chinese kindergarten (for pre-school lessons), or a private tutor to teach at home in order to systematically build a solid foundation of the Chinese basics.

If parents hope their children will have a certificate of Chinese level qualification, they might have to enroll their kids into a Chinese school, or bilingual school with a Chinese department, from grade 1 to grade 6. After the first six years of elementary study, our children can apply and take the HSK test. Then, the children would obtain the qualified mandarin level certification, which can be used in university admissions or job applications in China.

 

Photo courtesy of Miyee Woon

 

 

Old College Try: The Bits and Pieces – Applying Early

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No matter where you are applying it is important that you get all the pieces together. There is nothing worse than finding out that you missed an important essay or a school is asking for additional material that you did not find out about until the last moment.

Every application has lots of parts. It is your job as the applicant to make sure all the revolving parts come together. Certainly heading the list is grades. I recently had a conversation with a student whose academic grades were lacking because he had spent so much time preparing for standardized testing. While ACT, SAT, SAT II, TOEFL and SSAT (for boarding school) are important, they are not more important than doing well in school. The argument that your grades are not good because you had to prepare for these tests will fall on deaf ears.

While I just said grades are most important, standardized testing is also important and you should do well on them.  But bear in mind that many great schools are now going Test Optional (read the fine print for schools that offer this option). Definitely you need to prepare for them and spend time building your vocabulary, critical thinking skills necessary to preform well. But there should be some balance. Finally, make sure you request College Board, ACT or TOEFL to send your scores directly to the schools to which you are applying.  Listing your scores on your application is not official.

Resume – this is an important thing to develop. Applications ask you in one form or another to list your activities. How do you choose – the ones that are or have been the most influential in your development – academically, socially or personally. Only you can decide which has been the most impactful. But definitely don’t try to think about which ones colleges want to see. These are personal. I typically say list the most influential in order of importance on applications like the Common Application or the UC or any application that asks. Be aware that you may have many other activities and so you may want to develop a resume. Some schools provide the ability to upload a resume on the Common Application. It is also useful when you have an interview – you can bring this along or send it to the interviewer.

Letters of recommendation: Most schools ask for two. These should come from teachers who know you best. But, they should not come from the same academic area. In other words don’t have two math teachers or two science teachers. If you are applying to engineering schools you may want math and science. If you are choosing science as a major then two different recommendations may be called for  –  science and English or Social Studies.  This is particularly true if applying to Liberal Arts, Science and Letters, Arts and letters etc…

Further on the issue of teachers recommendations. Remember that your teachers are busy. By now you should definitely have asked teachers to write for you, whether you are applying for boarding school or university. Teachers hate last minute requests. Also, if you are applying Early to a college, then you had better have asked them – the deadline is around the corner. Show the teachers that you respect them and their job.

And now we get to the final piece – Essays. Don’t wait!!! Do THEM. Yes, they are hard and you need to think about them. But they take time. Be aware that on the Common Application, that for some schools once you select your school within the university or the program, new short essay questions may appear. So it is best to finish the application part before jumping into the essays.

So why the rehash of all this? Early application deadlines are just around the corner. November 1 is NOW and November 15 soon. Something to be alerted to – if you are applying to one school ED I and perhaps another ED II (which has a later date) You cannot submit the ED II application until you have heard back from your ED I school.

If accepted to ED I you are done! But if you submit both applications at the same time, you could jeopardize both ED applications.

Good luck on getting all the pieces together but remember one final and very important part – PRESS SUBMIT APPLICATION and PAY!

 

Photos: wikihow.com

Baidu Waimai 101

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Meet Baidu Waimai. Your new best friend.

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Need produce in a flash? Got you covered.

Want to try a new restaurant? No problem.

Sudden allergy flare-up? Meds are on the way.

Forgotten a birthday? Save yourself the guilt trip; Baidu Waimai has your back. (I’m looking at myself on this one. I forgot my husband’s birthday 4 years in a row. “Isn’t this absolutely hilarious!” I nervously fake-laughed with my husband year after yet another year.)

Restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, bakeries, florists and more are all hooked up to the Baidu Waimai app and ready to get you what you need, often in just 30-40 minutes.

The delivery fees are typically small and most shops within Baidu Waimai offer discounts if you buy a certain amount.

One of my favourite produce shops currently has a “Spend 79, Get 50 Off” deal going on.  It’s phenomenal pricing especially considering the quality is top-notch. I routinely purchase large avocados from Mexico for less than 6 yuan a piece. This has not helped my embarrassingly outrageous addiction to guacamole, but let’s leave that for another time.

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To sum up my relationship with Baidu Waimai: it has utterly transformed my life in 2016 (keep in mind I also had a baby in 2016).

Now, here comes the part you all knew was coming.

It’s all in Chinese.

If you’re cool with that, great! Start Baidu Waimai-ing now!

If you’re not cool with that, don’t give up. Read on for some basic Baidu Waimai set-up and usage help.

  1. Download: Download the Baidu Waimai app (百度外卖). Then download the Baidu Trans app (百度翻译). This translate app could be of help to you in this situation and really life general here in Beijing.FullSizeRender 4 FullSizeRender 5
  2. Register: You will need to enter your cellphone number and delivery address in order to be able to use this Baidu Waimai app. For this part, I would suggest having someone confident using Chinese to help you to ensure it is done properly.
  3. Shop: Once registered, use the labeled pictures below to help you choose the category you are looking for. Baidu Waimai 1Baidu Waimai 2Once you click on the category, you can scroll through the choices. Use this labeled picture below to decode the details so as to choose a shop based on delivery time, cost and discounts offered.Baidu Waimai 3
  4. Ordering: After you click to enter a shop, add the items you want to your cart. It is a picture based system, so you should be able to handle this without too much pressure from the language side of things. If you do run into difficulty though, take a screenshot of the confusing bits and let the Baidu Translate app help you translate it.Baidu Waimai 4
  5. Paying and Checking Out: Click on the red button that says, “选好了” (see above picture) which will take you to a confirmation page. On this page you will need to check to see that your address is correct and that you are happy with the estimated delivery time and cost.You will need to have your Wechat Wallet, Alipay, or Baidu Wallet account setup to pay online. While some stores do cash on delivery, many shops will only have the online payment option. If all looks good to go, press the red order confirmation button that says, “确认下单”. This will take you to the part where you pay through your preferred method of payment. As mine is Wechat Wallet, my Wechat opens automatically to the payment page, I input the password and the order is then complete.Baidu Waimai 5
  6. Waiting for the delivery: You can check the status of your order by following this annotated screenshot. My favorite part of this process is tracking the delivery guy on the map in close to real time.Baidu Waimai 6
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I commend this driver’s relentless attempts at finding my location. Despite taking the scenic route, he was only a couple minutes late.

Still nervous about the Chinese language factor? You live in Beijing! You navigate life in Beijing, and you can navigate Baidu Waimai too.

(Besides, it’s mostly just looking at pictures and tapping the screen.)

Version 2Bio: Originally from the Chicagoland area, Jane Kang has been an international educator in China for twelve years. She and her Chinese husband of eight years have a preschool aged girl and a baby boy. She loves watching TV shows (if she can stay awake for them), eating mint chocolate chip ice-cream (maybe too much so), and spending time with her friends and family (both near and far, in person and online).

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Diet Deficiency: What should you do when you can’t eat the nutrients you need?

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As a naturopath I work with my patients to treat disease and prevent illness using natural therapies. My first line of action is always the diet. I suggest getting the nutrients needed through diet, but there are situations when I turn to supplements. For example, Vitamin D and antioxidants while living in China. Unfortunately, fake supplements are an issue here, but sourcing safe products online is possible. Here are my top three, in order of preference.
iHerb.com
They carry a good selection of professional brands, and have been shipping to China for years, seemingly perfecting the process. Shipping is free if you spend over USD 40. Usually if I spend about USD 130, taxes are a little more than USD 30. Cosmetics have 50 percent tax, while food products about 10 percent. They claim shipping takes sevent to ten days but in my experience it’s about two weeks. There have been cases of packages being held in customs or being lost. I had someone tell me it took them two months to get their order, but that’s rare. They also carry personal care products, natural cleaning supplies and many grocery items, including gluten-free foods. For a 10 percent discount on your first order you can use my code IGU117 at checkout.
Amazon China.
The selection is limited, but amazon.cn does carry some excellent companies like Jarrow and Carlson (maker of one of my favorite fish oils and Vitamin D). Supplements are not all created equal, and in order to ensure you’re getting what the label says, it’s best to stick to reputable foreign brands or professional products. On Amazon China, the price difference between getting the product here or in the US is not that significant. Some products are directly shipped from the States, and these are clearly marked. Shipping times are quite good, and for an extra fee you can receive your product in two to four business days.
Vitacost.com
Their selection is even better than iHerb’s. They carry professional supplements, food items, and personal care products as well. Unfortunately, their shipping is quite pricey. I put in a test order of USD 40, and shipping came to USD 60 plus, without taxes. These would be charged once the package arrived in China, so at the time of purchase I wasn’t sure of the final cost. Like iHerb, Vitacost has a reward system for referrals. With iHerb you get a discount code to share (see mine above) and with Vitacost you get a link. This is nice because you both get a small discount. Thankfully it’s not a pyramid scheme, just an incentive to spread the word about the site.
Happy Shopping!

Melissa-Rodriguez-6866Got a question?
Dr. Melissa Rodriguez is a naturopathic doctor and mother of two, who works at Beijing United Family Hospital. To find out more, check out her website at www.drmelissarodriguez.com

This article originally appeared on page 24 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF DR. MELISSA RODRIGUEZ

Is Your Moggy Cute Enough to be the Tmall Mascot?

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Online retailer Tmall has announced that it is looking for a cat to be its CMO, or “Chief Maimeng [cuteness]  Officer”.

The Chinese name of the website, Tian Mao, means “sky cat”, and its advertising already features a cartoon pussy, as well as an indeterminate orange thing which rides on a goat… OK, I have no idea what’s going on there.

TMall poster

(Well, do you know what that’s meant to be?)

Celebrity cats from across the globe are queuing up to throw their hats into the ring, and there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write. Grumpy Cat is reputed to be in contention, as well as Youtube star Maru. (You can mock, but Maru’s videos have been viewed over 300 million times. How many people have watched your Youtube videos, human? Yeah, thought so.)

Maru

(Maru. He’s cuter than you. Sorry, but we have to face facts.)

Of course there’s a serious purpose to this silliness: it’s to promote “Singles Day.” November 11 has become known as 光棍节 (guanggun jie), a day when young Chinese people celebrate their single status (11/11 – get it?). Retailers seized on the potential of all that disposable income and turned what was once a students’ joke into a sales bonanza equivalent to the US Black Friday. Alibaba have even trademarked the term 双十一 (shuang shi yi, meaning “double 11”).

The whole thing is a brilliant PR stunt, albeit one which would be absolutely inexplicable to previous generations. But still, if you think your cat is the cutest in China (and let’s face it, you do), then all you have to do is to upload your moggy’s picture and biography to Weibo. You too – or at least your pet – could be a star.

 

Photos: chinadaily.com.cn, Andrew Killeen, reviewofmycat.com

Colors of the Wind: Harrow International School’s Autumn Fair

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Even though it was rather windy on October 22, the Autumn Fair at Harrow International School was still filled with enthusiasm.

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In addition to various raffles with attractive gifts to give away, the fair included a Beijing Opera performance. Two young students put on an excellent performance with challenging martial arts body movements with both precision and fun.

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On another front, the parents’ choir formed by a group of 24 moms appeared to be rather stunning in the midst of chilly wind. They showed up in elegant white dress with an image which would get no criticism even in a professional concert.

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Harrow’s autumn fair naturally featured the school’s centuries old hat-wearing tradition. But as it is not a boys-only school here, the day’s highlight of hat show turned out to be a very colorful collection of different styles and materials. Hat-wearing heroes (mostly moms and children, but also a few brave dads) could be often spotted anywhere on campus. Several booths displayed attractive hat products and accessories as well.

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The primary event celebrating the was the hats judging and prize giving by Beijing’s famous millener and designer, Elisabeth Koch.

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In addition to hats, choir, and Beijing opera, the many other activities and products displayed. Tip Tree pastry from England won a lot of attention with their staff’s impressive white uniform skirts. A football game brought a lot of fun and good spirits.

 

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Halloween Bites : A great occasion to help your kids taste new foods!

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Your kids may be picky eaters, or even if they are not, they certainly have some preferences regarding what they’d like to eat. So why don’t you take this occasion of preparing and celebrating Halloween to help them discover new ingredients like sweet pumpkin and other spices.

I’m often surprised when I read articles about how to make kids eat vegetables as if it was a big deal!

I truly think that if your kids see their parents cooking, enjoying meals together, if they go shopping with you, they help you prepare the dinner; they will get familiar with vegetables and be proud of what they accomplished. I always tell parents to start involving their kids from the beginning, when they are able to sit and hold things in their hands around 6 to 9 months.

My daughter is not old enough to help me cook but every time I’m preparing dinner, I give her a salad bowl and some vegetables and ask her to make a soup for me. By seeing raw vegetables, touching and smelling them, she gets used to them.

So Halloween is a great occasion to continue this! There are tons of varieties of pumpkins and squash. Different shapes, color, tastes – especially in China. Sweet pumpkin with the taste of chestnut, butternut, orange squash, green squash, etc.

Let me share with you 2 recipes that you or your Ayi can easily make with your kids. You will have fun and your kids will too.

 

Halloween Squash Faces

Slice a squash. Use a cookie cutter to make round shapes. Using a knife, carve a scary mouth shape.

Cut the rest of the squash and cook it slowly with some olive oil, a dash of curry, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Then smash it and add some milk to make a puree.

squash shapes

Steam each scary slice for a few minutes.

Heat olive oil in a pan. When the oil is hot enough quickly fry the squash faces.

Serve the puree with scary faces on top, add some parsley leaves to make a hairstyle!

squash shapes soup

Squary Sandwich

Ingredients: sandwich white bread, pitted black olives, garlic, olive oil, Philadelphia cheese, Italian ham

Using the bread cut rectangle and square shapes.

Make a tapenade by mixing pitted black olives, a little olive oil, and a garlic clove. Mix the tapenade with some Philadelphia cheese.

On the rectangle shape bread spread the tapenade cheese mixture.

In the ham, cut triangles to create a tongue. Place the ham on the tapenade and top with a square shape.

Cut a few olives into slices. Place two slices on the square to simulate the eyes, it’s ready! You can also use some tomato sauce, and smoked salmon.

Looking for more Halloween recipes? For a pumpkin soup, click here !

halloween sandwiches
rond

Olivia is from South of France and is a food lover with an eye for nutrition. When she arrived in China she felt the need to iron out everyday kitchen problems so decided to teach her wonderful Ayi about balanced meals by introducing her to Western food culture. “Cuisine mei wenti” Academy was born out of this need. Later in 2014, as she became a busy mum, she realized how cooking varied food for her little girl was important. Follow her on wechat: guinebaultolivia, email her at info@cuisinemeiwenti.com, or sign up for her newsletter on www.cuisinemeiwenti.com/blog, where this article originally appeared. Also take note, her online classes for ayis are now available.

Photos: Courtesy of Olivia Guinebault

The Old Haunted Welcome: Using recyclable materials for a haunting touch for Halloween

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Boo! October is nearly synonymous – well most probably is – with Halloween. This North American holiday has slowly been adopted around the world, and Beijing isn’t one to be left behind. The good, or the bad for some, of Halloween is the abundance of candy that’s available. Trick-or-treat isn’t the only thing that makes Halloween a beloved event, since the décor and costumes are a must. Soon, it will be time to decorate your home for All Hallows’ Eve; Springboard International Bilingual School (SIBS) has just the craft to use this year.
Yoga Yu, Chinese, has been with SIBS for little over two months and has been teaching art for several years at other schools. Yu wanted to make sure families save their money by using materials easily found at home when making this ghoulish wreath. “If you have clothes or fabric that you want to get rid of then this is the best craft to use them for.” She’s teaching this craft to Aleksej Razdolskij, a Grade 5 student from Russia, who is all too happy to cut things up. Razdolskij is helpful, easy-going, cheerful, and more than happy to take photos with everyone.
While showing us how to make the craft, the duo switched between English and Chinese effortlessly as they got into a rhythm, making the rapport all the more astonishing given they have not know each other for a long time. Yu helps with the cutting when using a knife, and Razdolskij used the scissors for safety concerns.

Estimated time: 45 minutes
Suitable for: 8+
Materials
• Masking tape
• Sticking tape
• Scissors
• Cutting knife
• Gaffer tape
• Recycled papers i.e newspapers, wrapping papers, and others
• Old cloths (fabric)
• Malleable wires
• Old toys
• Cutting board
• Metal ring
Materials
Instructions
1. Take the recycling paper and crumble into an even width.
Step-1
2. Use the paper all around the metal ring. Use clear sticking tape to bind the paper onto the ring.
Step-2
3. Cut strips of the gaffer tape then cover the paper firmly to secure the paper base.
Step-3Step-4
4. Take the fabric, cut lengthwise using scissors or a knife. Optional; if you wish to have the same pattern then use double sided tape to bind the non-pattern side together. Step-5
5. Use the fabric to tie ribbons or knots around the base until it’s fully covered.
Step-6-
6. Take the toy head and attach it to the base ring using fabric and wires to secure it firmly.
7. Hang or place the wreath among the Halloween decorations.
Main-Photo

This article originally appeared on page 26-27 of the October 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: DAVE’S STUDIO

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