Your Christmas Lunch At Home Sorted With Zero Fuss

Nothing beats Christmas at home with friends and family. The tree and trimmings are sorted, the presents are unwrapped, and all that’s left to do is eat! Between rushing around the shops, trying to stop the kids opening everything under the tree before the big day and catching up with friends and family, there’s enough to be getting on with at this time of year without adding the stress of cooking for zillions of people. Instead of slaving over a hot stove on the morning of the 25th send the in-laws out to collect a full pre-ordered festive feast and go for a super easy takeaway option that’ll guarantee a table full of happy bellies and more time for you to chillax with a glass of bubbles..perfect.

Read more: Family Friendly Christmas Day Brunches 2017

Shangri-La Hotel

Traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings including home-made stuffing – all you gotta do is order and collect. As well as turkey, the hotel is offering alternative dishes including smoked salmon, a seafood medley with crab, tiger prawns, Boston lobster and oysters, an Angus strip loin and guinea fowl.

AED 699 (turkey for eight people), AED 1,399 (seafood medley for five), AED 450 (guinea fowl for four).
Tel: 04 390 5600
Available from 10 December – 31 December. Advanced ordering necessary – minimum 72 hours beforehand.

The Ritz-Carlton DIFC

Big family gatherings can be stressful, so why not let the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton lighten the load. Choose from turkey, roast Angus strip loin or a smoked salmon platter. Each comes with sides and choice of dessert.

AED 875 (5kg turkey), AED 1,050 (6kg turkey), AED 1,225 (7kg turkey), AED 1,400 (8kg turkey).
Tel: 04 372 2222
Festive dining takeaway is available until 26 December

Read more: How To Do Christmas Without Going Mad 

Christmas Made Easy With Spinneys

Now here’s a festive option we love, mamas! Our fave grocery store is making Christmas easy this year by offering a ready-prepared turkey range that just needs to be popped in the oven – hooray! If you opt to cook-in this Christmas then treat yourself to a Crowe’s Farm Organic Bronze turkey, reared in Ireland and sooo juicy and delicious. The Spinneys butchers can help you to prepare and stuff your bird with fresh stuffings including sage and onion, apple and cranberry and roast chestnut (all available in store too!). If turkey isn’t really your thing then you’ll find everything from goose to duck to beef and more plus a gorgeous range of cheeses picked especially for this season and the best mince pies we’ve tasted in Dubers (and trust us, we’ve tried A LOT!).

Visit www.spinneys-dubai.com or pop into your nearest store to make your order and chat to the very helpful team.

Festive Fayre at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai

If you’re not a turkey lover then go for beef rib at Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai (don’t worry, they also offer the traditional turkey roast). Served with traditional trimmings and side dishes for a perfect festive meal. And why not spoil your gang with a few Christmas treats as well? Take home traditional gingerbread cookies, tarts and cupcakes. Every dessert can be personalised.

AED 750 for turkey roast for 8 – 10 servings
AED 899 for turkey roast for 10- 12 servings
Tel:+9714 503 4444
Orders must be made 3 days in advance.

Atlantis

Skip the cooking and let the skilled chefs at Atlantis take care of your festive lunch with a perfectly prepared whole roasted turkey complete with stuffing, roasted potatoes, honey glazed carrots, Brussels sprouts, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. Sound good? We think so.

AED 800 for a 6-8kg turkey for 7-10 people
AED 1,100 for a 10-12kg turkey for 12-15 people
Tel: +971 4 426 1454
Available to order from on or before 24 December 2017 until 31 December. Orders to be placed 48 hours in advance.

Read more: 3 Ways To Prepare For Visitor Season

Fairmont Dubai

Pre-book a turkey meal for take away, and the team at Fairmont will take care of the rest. Their signature Turkey comes in 3 sizes starting from 3 kgs to 9.5 kgs (AED 395 – AED 695) is served with, Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce, gravy and chestnut/dry fruit stuffing. Phew! Ideal if you have a small family.

Tel: +9714 311 8316
Available to order until December 31.

The post Dining In At Christmas: Where To Get Your Takeaway Turkey appeared first on Sassy Mama.

With picnic season well and truly here it’s is the perfect time to head outside with a delicious hamper of light bites, refreshing salads and finger foods to help your little explorers refuel as they enjoy the great outdoors.

Leading children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel shares her top picnic picks! Looking for more food inspiration?  Unlock a world of exclusive recipes, insider news and special offers by joining the AKClub for free at www.annabelkarmel.com.(it’ll make your world a whole lot more yummy!). 

pssst… these recipes work really well in lunch boxes too! 

The post Annabel Karmel’s Top Picnic Picks appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Simple recipes to get your year started right…

The New Year is in full swing and everyone seems to be on a health kick. Whether you’re into New Year’s resolutions or not, January is always a great time to re-set, prioritise and make goals. This is also the time we all think about starting a new diet or eating healthy (or at least eating healthier and to rely less on takeaways/eating out). One big goal, personally for me this year is to cultivate a more mindful approach to eating better and choosing healthier options during the week (but also allowing myself a treat every so often). Balance!

Scroll through the slides to learn three quick, easy and hassle free recipes – to get you started on your health-ier eating journey. 

The post 3 Easy, Healthy Recipes To Kick Start Your New Year appeared first on Sassy Mama.

New Year, new healthy eating plan? We round up the best diets so you can suss out what fits your lifestyle

So it’s January, the beginning of the year when we all think about New Year’s resolutions and diets (or at least eating healthier) for 2018. But what diet is “the best”? U.S. News & World Report ranked 40 diets and at first place for best overall diet (taking into account diet effectiveness and sustainability) was the relatively unheard of DASH diet, tied with the Mediterranean diet. Meanwhile, the popular Keto diet tied for last place. We round up some of the popular diets or healthy eating lifestyles for 2018 so you can decide which one might be best for you.

The post What’s The Best Diet for 2018? (Clue: it’s not Keto or Paleo!) appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Healthy Meal Delivery Options In Dubai

Want to order in but not keen on calorie loaded options, mama? Or maybe you’re struggling to come up with healthy meals to feed the troops with and can’t be bothered to schlep it to the supermarket for groceries? Whether you’re watching what you eat, you want to spend less time in the kitchen or you just want to treat the family to a dish that’s better ordered in (after all, not even the healthiest mamas have the energy to cook every night), we’ve come up with five of the best healthy meal delivery options in Dubai. These are the places that we think offer quality food that’s good for you too – making it easy to fit hungry tummies, stick to those resolutions AND get some time off from the cooking/shopping hassle. Happy eating!

The post 5 Healthy Meal Delivery Services in Dubai appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Peanut prep…

As parents, we naturally want know what to feed our baby when he or she is ready for solid foods. As one of the nine common allergenic foods, peanuts often come up in the frequently asked questions I get from parents. Particularly since so many children today are living with a peanut allergy, and so many schools have adopted a peanut-free (and sometimes a nut-free) environment. Read on to get the latest guidelines of introducing peanuts to your child, the advantages and the risks of introducing peanuts early, and the sources of peanuts in food and non-food items.

Should I introduce peanuts to my baby early?

Earlier in 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the United States published revised guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy.  In summary, the guidelines recommend that introducing peanuts as early as four months of age may reduce the risk of peanut allergy.  When to introduce peanuts to babies, however, is dependent on a few factors, such as whether the infants have eczema and/or egg allergy.  The NIAID established three guidelines for when to introduce peanut-containing foods to infants:

• infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy are considered for high risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanut-containing foods as early as four to six months
• infants with mild to moderate eczema are considered for low to moderate risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanut-containing foods around six months
• infants without eczema or any food allergy are considered for low risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanuts along with other solid foods according to family preferences and cultural practices

Advantages of introducing peanuts early

NIAID suggests that introducing peanuts as early as four months of age for those who have eczema and/or egg allergy under medical supervision may reduce the risk of peanut allergy later in life.  However, a high risk infant is recommended to be clinically tested before introducing peanuts in his or her diet. Based on the tests results, the doctor will determine the quantity and the texture of peanuts to be introduced to the baby.

Risks of introducing peanuts early

While the revised guidelines demonstrate the advantages of introducing peanuts early, there are also risks involved.  First, infants at four months of age are generally not developmentally ready for solid foods as they may not be able to fully sit up and lean forward, and may not have developed good head control.  Second, whole peanuts, peanut chunks and peanut butter are choking hazards for infants.  Therefore, introducing age-appropriate peanuts to babies after they have been introduced to other solids foods is recommended.

My thoughts on the NIAID recommendations

The recommendations from NIAID were based on the results from the Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) trial, where it compared the onset and the risk of peanut allergy amongst infants who were introduced to peanuts between four and eleven months and children who were first introduced to peanuts at five years of age.  As mentioned in my Food Allergies 101 article, delaying the introduction of common allergenic foods will not reduce your baby’s risk in having a food allergy.  At the same time, providing solid foods to infants as early as four months of age also poses the risk of choking.

Before six months of age, breastmilk (or infant formula if your baby is not breastfed) is the best source of food for baby’s growth.  Since the risks outweigh the benefits, I would recommend introducing texture-appropriate peanuts when your baby is at least six months of age along with other first foods such as iron fortified cereals, vegetables and fruits and common allergenic foods such as fish, wheat, whole eggs, soy and milk products.  However, if you are concerned that he or she may be at a higher risk for peanut allergy due to the presence of eczema and/or due to the family history of food allergies, hay fever and asthma, you may wish to speak with your baby’s healthcare provider and explore the options available before introducing peanuts at home.

Furthermore, the NIAID guidelines only applies to infants who have not been introduced to peanuts or experienced any reactions to peanuts.  If your baby is already eating peanut-containing foods on a regular basis and has not displayed any symptoms, such as hives, itchiness, and difficulty breathing, he or she is not allergic to peanuts, and therefore does not require any medical attention and allergy testing.

Which type of food products can you find peanuts?

Peanuts can be listed in other names and can be found in a variety of food products.  While the following is not an exhaustive list, it will give you a general idea of where you can find peanuts.  Always read the ingredients list and the food packaging to ensure the product is peanut-free before offering the food to your child who is allergic to peanuts.  When eating out with your child, you may also want to notify your server that your child is allergic to peanuts and inquire about whether the menu item you wish to order is peanut-free.

Other names for peanuts or nuts

arachide = ground nuts
arachis oil = kernels
beer nuts mandelonas, nu-nuts
cacahouete/cacahouette/cacahuete = nut meats
goober nuts, goober peas = valencias

Products that may contain peanuts…

Almond and hazelnut pastes, marzipan, baked goods, dried salad dressings, nougat, cake icing, egg rolls, pastries, candy, fried foods, peanut popcorn, cereals, potato chips (may be made with peanut oil), chili con carne (peanut butter may be used to thicken chili), dehydrated soup mixes, Chinese food, Thai food, granola bars, energy bars, fruit bars, satay sauce, chocolate bars hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, commercial desserts, vegetarian meat substitutes.

There are also non-food sources that may contain peanuts.  If your child has a peanut allergy, do read the information on the packaging and labels before purchasing and having them available in your home. The list includes:

Ant baits, bird feed, mouse traps, pet food, Stuffing in toys, Craft materials, Some types of sunscreen lotion and lip glosses, Some types of vitamin supplements, skin creams and cosmetics.

All in all, a peanut allergy is a complex issue but if it is caught early, it can be managed.  Do speak with your child’s healthcare provider if you have any further questions.

The post What You Need to Know About Peanut Allergies in Children appeared first on Sassy Mama.

With picnic season well and truly here it’s is the perfect time to head outside with a delicious hamper of light bites, refreshing salads and finger foods to help your little explorers refuel as they enjoy the great outdoors.

Leading children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel shares her top picnic picks! Looking for more food inspiration?  Unlock a world of exclusive recipes, insider news and special offers by joining the AKClub for free at www.annabelkarmel.com.(it’ll make your world a whole lot more yummy!). 

pssst… these recipes work really well in lunch boxes too! 

The post Annabel Karmel’s Top Picnic Picks appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Simple recipes to get your year started right…

The New Year is in full swing and everyone seems to be on a health kick. Whether you’re into New Year’s resolutions or not, January is always a great time to re-set, prioritise and make goals. This is also the time we all think about starting a new diet or eating healthy (or at least eating healthier and to rely less on takeaways/eating out). One big goal, personally for me this year is to cultivate a more mindful approach to eating better and choosing healthier options during the week (but also allowing myself a treat every so often). Balance!

Scroll through the slides to learn three quick, easy and hassle free recipes – to get you started on your health-ier eating journey. 

The post 3 Easy, Healthy Recipes To Kick Start Your New Year appeared first on Sassy Mama.

New Year, new healthy eating plan? We round up the best diets so you can suss out what fits your lifestyle

So it’s January, the beginning of the year when we all think about New Year’s resolutions and diets (or at least eating healthier) for 2018. But what diet is “the best”? U.S. News & World Report ranked 40 diets and at first place for best overall diet (taking into account diet effectiveness and sustainability) was the relatively unheard of DASH diet, tied with the Mediterranean diet. Meanwhile, the popular Keto diet tied for last place. We round up some of the popular diets or healthy eating lifestyles for 2018 so you can decide which one might be best for you.

The post What’s The Best Diet for 2018? (Clue: it’s not Keto or Paleo!) appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Healthy Meal Delivery Options In Dubai

Want to order in but not keen on calorie loaded options, mama? Or maybe you’re struggling to come up with healthy meals to feed the troops with and can’t be bothered to schlep it to the supermarket for groceries? Whether you’re watching what you eat, you want to spend less time in the kitchen or you just want to treat the family to a dish that’s better ordered in (after all, not even the healthiest mamas have the energy to cook every night), we’ve come up with five of the best healthy meal delivery options in Dubai. These are the places that we think offer quality food that’s good for you too – making it easy to fit hungry tummies, stick to those resolutions AND get some time off from the cooking/shopping hassle. Happy eating!

The post 5 Healthy Meal Delivery Services in Dubai appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Peanut prep…

As parents, we naturally want know what to feed our baby when he or she is ready for solid foods. As one of the nine common allergenic foods, peanuts often come up in the frequently asked questions I get from parents. Particularly since so many children today are living with a peanut allergy, and so many schools have adopted a peanut-free (and sometimes a nut-free) environment. Read on to get the latest guidelines of introducing peanuts to your child, the advantages and the risks of introducing peanuts early, and the sources of peanuts in food and non-food items.

Should I introduce peanuts to my baby early?

Earlier in 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the United States published revised guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy.  In summary, the guidelines recommend that introducing peanuts as early as four months of age may reduce the risk of peanut allergy.  When to introduce peanuts to babies, however, is dependent on a few factors, such as whether the infants have eczema and/or egg allergy.  The NIAID established three guidelines for when to introduce peanut-containing foods to infants:

• infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy are considered for high risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanut-containing foods as early as four to six months
• infants with mild to moderate eczema are considered for low to moderate risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanut-containing foods around six months
• infants without eczema or any food allergy are considered for low risk for peanut allergy, and are recommended to be introduced to peanuts along with other solid foods according to family preferences and cultural practices

Advantages of introducing peanuts early

NIAID suggests that introducing peanuts as early as four months of age for those who have eczema and/or egg allergy under medical supervision may reduce the risk of peanut allergy later in life.  However, a high risk infant is recommended to be clinically tested before introducing peanuts in his or her diet. Based on the tests results, the doctor will determine the quantity and the texture of peanuts to be introduced to the baby.

Risks of introducing peanuts early

While the revised guidelines demonstrate the advantages of introducing peanuts early, there are also risks involved.  First, infants at four months of age are generally not developmentally ready for solid foods as they may not be able to fully sit up and lean forward, and may not have developed good head control.  Second, whole peanuts, peanut chunks and peanut butter are choking hazards for infants.  Therefore, introducing age-appropriate peanuts to babies after they have been introduced to other solids foods is recommended.

My thoughts on the NIAID recommendations

The recommendations from NIAID were based on the results from the Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) trial, where it compared the onset and the risk of peanut allergy amongst infants who were introduced to peanuts between four and eleven months and children who were first introduced to peanuts at five years of age.  As mentioned in my Food Allergies 101 article, delaying the introduction of common allergenic foods will not reduce your baby’s risk in having a food allergy.  At the same time, providing solid foods to infants as early as four months of age also poses the risk of choking.

Before six months of age, breastmilk (or infant formula if your baby is not breastfed) is the best source of food for baby’s growth.  Since the risks outweigh the benefits, I would recommend introducing texture-appropriate peanuts when your baby is at least six months of age along with other first foods such as iron fortified cereals, vegetables and fruits and common allergenic foods such as fish, wheat, whole eggs, soy and milk products.  However, if you are concerned that he or she may be at a higher risk for peanut allergy due to the presence of eczema and/or due to the family history of food allergies, hay fever and asthma, you may wish to speak with your baby’s healthcare provider and explore the options available before introducing peanuts at home.

Furthermore, the NIAID guidelines only applies to infants who have not been introduced to peanuts or experienced any reactions to peanuts.  If your baby is already eating peanut-containing foods on a regular basis and has not displayed any symptoms, such as hives, itchiness, and difficulty breathing, he or she is not allergic to peanuts, and therefore does not require any medical attention and allergy testing.

Which type of food products can you find peanuts?

Peanuts can be listed in other names and can be found in a variety of food products.  While the following is not an exhaustive list, it will give you a general idea of where you can find peanuts.  Always read the ingredients list and the food packaging to ensure the product is peanut-free before offering the food to your child who is allergic to peanuts.  When eating out with your child, you may also want to notify your server that your child is allergic to peanuts and inquire about whether the menu item you wish to order is peanut-free.

Other names for peanuts or nuts

arachide = ground nuts
arachis oil = kernels
beer nuts mandelonas, nu-nuts
cacahouete/cacahouette/cacahuete = nut meats
goober nuts, goober peas = valencias

Products that may contain peanuts…

Almond and hazelnut pastes, marzipan, baked goods, dried salad dressings, nougat, cake icing, egg rolls, pastries, candy, fried foods, peanut popcorn, cereals, potato chips (may be made with peanut oil), chili con carne (peanut butter may be used to thicken chili), dehydrated soup mixes, Chinese food, Thai food, granola bars, energy bars, fruit bars, satay sauce, chocolate bars hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, commercial desserts, vegetarian meat substitutes.

There are also non-food sources that may contain peanuts.  If your child has a peanut allergy, do read the information on the packaging and labels before purchasing and having them available in your home. The list includes:

Ant baits, bird feed, mouse traps, pet food, Stuffing in toys, Craft materials, Some types of sunscreen lotion and lip glosses, Some types of vitamin supplements, skin creams and cosmetics.

All in all, a peanut allergy is a complex issue but if it is caught early, it can be managed.  Do speak with your child’s healthcare provider if you have any further questions.

The post What You Need to Know About Peanut Allergies in Children appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Let’s Get This Kids Party Started! With Some Easy Peasy Food Ideas

Getting ready for a children’s party at home can be overwhelming. There are decorations to arrange, games and activities to sort out, and of course, there has to be lots of food to satisfy hungry little partygoers (not to forget their mamas and papas too!).

I like to prepare as much as possible in advance to avoid any last minute surprises (and trust me, surprises do arise!). When it comes to party food, I try to keep things simple and fun for kids, making sure that there’s enough variety to keep even the fussiest eaters well fed. I usually build on the children’s menu for the adults, tossing in a few salads and “grown up” fare into the mix.

Here are a few simple child friendly recipes and ideas that can handle advanced preparation and are sure to make your life easier on the birthday boy or girl’s big day! (For more simple recipes visit Lidijaskitchen.com)

Aprons on, volume up and let the party begin!!!

Read More: Kids Birthday Party Themes, Accessories & Trends for 2018 

The post Simple Party Food Ideas for Kids appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Mealtimes can often be a battleground between parents and toddlers. As a parent you want your child to have a healthy, nutritious and tasty diet, but persuading them it’s a good idea is a different matter!

To help combat fussy eating, I’ve gathered some of my top hidden fruit and veggie recipes to get tots eating their all-important 5-a-day. Because ultimately, what kids can’t see they can’t pick out.

Good luck!

Hidden Veg Smoothie

Makes 2 glasses

Ingredients

• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 large ripe, pear, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 200ml pineapple juice
• 100ml water

Method

1. Measure all of the ingredients into a juicer. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into glasses. Best served chilled.

Mini Vegetable Balls

Makes 24 veggie balls

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 small courgette, grated
• 75g butternut squash, peeled and grated
• 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• ½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 50g mushroom chopped
• 50g parmesan, grated
• 150g breadcrumbs
• 1 small egg, beaten
• 1 ½ tbsp tomato ketchup, plus extra to serve
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• A little plain flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Put the grated carrots, courgette and squash into a clean tea towel or muslin cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
2. Tip into a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients except the flour and the olive oil. Stir to combine and, using damp hands, shape the mixture into 24 little balls. Put the flour on a plate and roll the ball in it to coat.
3. Heat the oil in a larger frying pan. Add the balls and fry for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
4. Allow to cool a little and serve with ketchup.

Hidden Vegetable Bolognese

Makes 8 portions

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small leek, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 stick celery, chopped
• 1⁄4 small red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and grated
• 1⁄2 dessert apple, peeled, cored and grated
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
• 450g minced beef
• 4 tablespoons tomato purée
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 250 ml beef stock
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the vegetables, apple and garlic for 10 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a blender and add the tinned tomatoes, then whiz until smooth.
2. Wipe out the frying pan with a sheet of kitchen paper, then add the mince and fry over a medium-high heat until browned, breaking up the mince with a wooden spoon. If your child likes a fine texture, you can transfer the browned mince to the food processor and whiz for a few seconds.
3. Add the tomato and vegetable sauce to the frying pan with the mince, and stir in the tomato purée, ketchup, stock and oregano.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 40–45 minutes, until the sauce is thickened. Season to taste and serve with spaghetti

Peach and Strawberry Jellies

Makes 4 jellies

Ingredients

• 5 gelatine leaves
• 200ml raspberry and cranberry cordial
• 300ml lemonade
• 100g strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 200g tinned peach slices in syrup, cut into pieces

Method

1. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 5 minutes.
2. Pour the cordial and lemonade into a saucepan and heat until hand-hot. Remove the pan from the heat.
3. Squeeze the water out of the gelatine, then add the leaves to the saucepan. Stir until the gelatine has dissolved.
4. Divide the strawberries and peaches between 4 bowls or glasses. Pour over the jelly and leave to set in the fridge for 6 hours, or overnight.

For more recipe inspiration download Annabel’s Essential Guide to Feeding Your Baby & Toddler app. Access more than 220 delicious recipes, as well as a host of features to keep your family on track and enjoying meal times. Download the new version from the App Store now (£3.99) or visit www.annabelkarmel.com.

The post Pack In Their Five-A-Day With Help From Annabel Karmel appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Deliveries straight to your door…

Is there anything better than getting a delivery? Especially as we don’t have a regular mail system in Dubai so anything that comes direct to our door is mega exciting and often makes life that much more convenient. Groceries, beauty products, wellness kits, men’s accessories, kids activities – even fresh flowers – they’re all available on subscription now, mama! These are our top picks of some of the subscription boxes you should sign up for pronto!

The post The Coolest Box Subscriptions in Dubai appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Add To Cart: Kibsons Groceries & A South African Holiday!

Chances are you’ve spotted the super cute Kibsons van in your hood, mamas (you know, the navy blue one with a cherry logo…) – and if you haven’t tried out the Kibsons service yet then you’re in for a tasty treat! This family run online grocery store delivers the most delicious fresh produce at equally delicious prices – we’re talking all the fruit and veg plus meat, dairy and more  (the locally made sourdough bread is soooo good) at a fraction of most supermarket prices (AED 9.25 for strawberries? YES PLEASE!).

Set up an account online and all of your orders will be tracked so that you can repeat them as regularly as you like or amend them if you wish – plus get discount vouchers and credits for referring friends etc. So easy – so yummy! And here’s the thing, because we want to share the Kibsons love (and save you a dirham or two), Kibsons are offering our readers a very sassy 20% discount for all first time customers and a 10% discount for all existing customers, applicable on deliveries between Tuesdays and Thursdays – all you need to do is use the code mentioned at the bottom of this feature at checkout (easy peasy!).

We’re also letting you into a little secret about  an A-MA-ZING Kibsons competition to win a holiday to South Africa. Simply purchase delicious juicy ‘Taste of Africa’ nectarines, peaches or plums at Kibsons, all grown to the strictest international standards plus packed with essential vitamins and nutrients (and perfect for salads, pies, desserts and lunchboxes too!). Then complete the competition entry form online  and click submit and head to the Kibsons Facebook page, leave a review about their service and like and share their Facebook page to validate your entry. Yippeee! South Africa here we come!

Did we mention that Kibsons will offer same-day delivery – oh and that it’s free to bring your groceries right to your door  – so you basically never have to leave your house again?! Everything will come packaged up perfectly (you can even choose a non-plastic bag option – we approve) and boxes can be collected and re-used when you next order (because you WILL order again, trust us).

Order online with your Sassy code (details below) and the Kibsons van will be making its way to you pronto. Now to win that holiday….

To get 20% off your first time order please use “MYFIRSTORDER”
Existing customers – To get 10% off Kibsons delivery between Tuesday and Thursdays, simply enter the code “SASSYTTT” at checkout. Discount valid until 31 March. 

Referral program – share your referral code – every time your friend makes a purchase = 20points for you!
Loyalty program – 50 points for 500AED spent and every 500 points you get AED 50 cashback

www.kibsons.com 

The post 20% Off Your Kibsons Order & The Chance To Win A Holiday To South Africa appeared first on Sassy Mama.

So long sniffles! Now’s the time to shake-off those coughs and colds and shake-up your food routine to give your family the energy boost they need. These kid-friendly recipes from leading children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel are bursting with colour, filled with flavour and packed-full of nutrients.

Leading children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel shares her top Superfoods recipes! Looking for more food inspiration?  Unlock a world of exclusive recipes, insider news and special offers by downloading the Annabel’s handy Baby & Toddler Recipe App. This is the must-have app for delicious mealtimes (and clean plates!) Available via the app store or visit www.annabelkarmel.com for more information.   

pssst… these recipes work really well in lunch and snack boxes too – perfect for Spring Camp and back to school! 

The post Annabel Karmel’s Superfoods For Healthy Kids (Bye-Bye Cough!) appeared first on Sassy Mama.

When cake is the answer, who cares what the occasion is! We check out some of the best places to have your cake (and eat it) in Dubai

Got a birthday party coming up, mama? Whether it’s for you or the kiddos, there are stacks of birthday cake bakers and bakeries in Dubai to choose from. We’ve separated the wheat from the chaff (or the eggs from the flour, as the case may be) to highlight some of our absolute faves, all guaranteed to add that extra sweet touch to your celebration! From vegan to gluten free, drip cakes to celebration cakes, custom made or off the shelf plus loads more too, we’ve got one (or three) for all occasions. Life is too short to say no to cake, mamas!

Check out our gallery for our top picks that really are the icing on the cake!

Let us help you plan a birthday party with these articles below – from venues to trends to ideas, we have got it all covered!
Cool New Kids Birthday Party Options in Dubai
Cool Indoor Places To Host Your Kids Birthday Party
Kids Birthday Party Themes and Trends for 2018
A Birthday Party Like No Other
A Birthday Bash At Bounce

The post The Best Places To Buy Gorgeous Cakes For Every Celebration appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Live In Jumeirah Or Umm Suqeim? Check Out These Brilliant New School Lunches, Mamas!

School mornings are hectic. Add to that the not-so-small task of packing lunch boxes and it can all get too much! I vowed to pack lunch boxes the evening before but frankly by the time the kids go to bed I’m not in a state to do anything hugely productive. And now, my wonderful helper has been away on a well-deserved holiday for five weeks so anything (everything) to make life a little easier while my husband and I juggle school runs, laundry, cooking, cleaning, pets and the constant picking up that comes with gets my vote. My latest discovery? A brilliant new packed lunch service by BookMunch, one of our favourite family friendly cafes in Dubai, whose founder Dareen is a mama herself and understands exactly what the kids need to be taking into school (so you can rest assured that the menus won’t include anything you wouldn’t give them yourself).

Read More: The Sassiest Mama Awards: Dareen Charafeddine 

Whether you’re running out of lunchbox ideas, you need a helping hand or you want to introduce your kids to new recipes and flavours, these school lunches can do it all! The menu is fun and rotational over six weeks, designed to expose children to lots of tastes while still offering simple and familiar foods (so they don’t get freaked out – we know how kids can be!!). And because Dareen is really particular about the quality of the ingredients that get used, you can rest assured that there’ll be fruit and veggies hidden wherever possible (the beetroot brownies were GENIUS!) and that your little people aren’t eating anything icky.

Read more: 5 Back to School Lunch Box Recipes

We signed up for a five day plan (and have since extended because the kids are loving it, as are hubby and I (particularly because sometimes, if there are leftovers, we get to eat them too . And here’s the thing, these lunches are NOT crazy expensive! Five days will cost you AED 130 per child for under six year olds or AED 160 per child for 7-11 year olds and 20 days AED 420 or 520. Not bad right?! Here’s how it works. You book your child’s plan by filling out an online form, make payment by bank transfer et voila, all done. A lovely chap on a bike has been arriving at our home every evening before 9pm with beautifully packaged lunches for my three. Which brings me to the other thing – children eat first with their eyes so the super cute packaging including little ‘eat me’ stickers and other fun mottos don’t go unnoticed. And Dareen says that you’ll soon be able to return all packaging for re-use/recycling which is BRILLIANT! Hubby and I then pop the boxes in the fridge before adding them to our children’s lunch bags the following morning. And what lucky, lucky kids they are! While my lunch on most days is a piece of bread with whatever I can find in the fridge or a quick bowl of leftovers, my little ones are enjoying everything from potato salad with chicken, basil and peas (a big fave), mini croque monsieurs, deconstructed lasagna and then desserts and snacks including orange segments dipped in chocolate, fruit pots, mini muffins and more. Yum!

Check out their website for a sample menu. Occasionally one of them will grumble about something (middle child doesn’t like green grapes, only red ones – go figure..) but they try everything and most of it gets gobbled up. BookMunch are able to take into consideration any allergies or dietary requirements so that’s not a problem in most cases. Any special requests are charged at an extra of AED 7 per child per day (eg gluten free, dairy free, egg free, allergies to certain fruits etc). They’ll happily discuss your needs etc with you to make it all work – and vegetarian meals are available at no extra charge too. Healthy, delicious, easy, easy, easy (did I say easy?), these lunches have been a complete savior – we might just sign up for another week or so…..

Read more: Annabel Karmel’s Superfoods For Healthy Kids (Bye-Bye Cough!)

BookMunch currently deliver to all areas in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Please allow for 24-hour processing time. To know more click here.

The post New School Lunch Deliveries, Tried & Tasted appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Shake Off the Heat With These Ice-Cold Treat Recipes

It’s feeling hot, hot, hot! With temperatures soaring, it’s time to find some fun (and refreshing) ways to keep the kids (and adults too) hydrated, cool and content. We promise they’ll be thrilled with these ice-cold treats from leading children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel.

Looking for more food inspiration? Unlock a world of exclusive recipes, insider news and special offers by downloading the Annabel’s handy Baby & Toddler Recipe App. This is the must-have app for delicious mealtimes (and clean plates!) Available via the app store or visit www.annabelkarmel.com for more information.   

Annabel Karmel fans like us? Here are few other recipes, you can try:

Annabel Karmel’s Superfoods For Healthy Kids (Bye-Bye Cough!)
Pack In Their Five-A-Day With Help From Annabel Karmel
Annabel Karmel’s Bite-Size Favourites

The post Annabel Karmel’s Sunshine Coolers appeared first on Sassy Mama.

What’s for lunch, mama? You’ll never be stuck for lunchbox ideas and treats again with our free downloadable of kids’ recipes plus a handy meal planner!

Want to know how to up the veggies in your kid’s packed lunch without getting protests? We have three weeks’ worth of lunchbox recipes for you (all for free!). The best news is that these dishes are big on fresh, colourful vegetables and protein – and they are all nut-free too, as per most school’s requirements. There are some treat recipes in there for snacktime, but we’ve even snuck veggies in here where we can (check out our Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins!).

We hope our meal planner and simple recipes help you out in the kitchen, mama. If you find this useful, please share the love by sending this link to a friend. You’ll never be stuck for the answer to “What’s for lunch mama?” again!

Click here to download Lunchbox Ideas:

Let us know which recipes are your kids’ favourites!

Love,
The Sassy Mama team

The post FREE Kids’ Nut-Free Lunchbox Recipes & 3 Week Meal Planner: FREE Downloadable! appeared first on Sassy Mama.