Tag Archives: Mums in Dubai

Alternative cleaning products for the home | More natural methods that are equally effective

I am always looking for better alternatives than the harsh chemicals that companies tell you that you need to clean your home with. The truth is that we don’t. We also don’t need to pollute our house, our drains that will eventually flush out to sea affecting all marine life. It is really hard to ensure that we are always cleaning with the best products especially when you have young children, and I am aware that we cannot eliminate it always but we can, as parents try. Also, if you have staff at home it is worth educating them because they feel uneasy cleaning the house with ‘homemade stuff’ because we have all been conditioned that chemicals bought in a shop must be better.

#Cleaning using water and vinegar for all purposes – 9 units to water and 1 unit of vinegar.

#Window cleaner – ¼ cup of vinegar, ½ teaspoon of natural liquid soap and 2 cups of water. Shake and spray.

#Sink cleaner – First, pour a pot of boiling water down your drain. ½ cup of baking soda. Leave it to rest for a few minutes, then pour 1 cup of vinegar followed by 1 cup of hot water, and leave it for 5 – 10 minutes. Flush one more time with a pot of boiling hot water.

#Dog wash and shampoo – I had been using harsh dog shampoos for my dog at the start, that left him with itchy skin until someone involved in the dog business told me that Johnsons & Johnsons baby shampoo was a great alternative. I don’t use this product for my children as I prefer organic products but for my dog it was perfect. The months of expensive vet fees disappeared by just changing his shampoo.

#Natural air fresheners – sprinkle from baking soda into a smelly thrash can to absorb bad odours or use a ground coffee and place it near areas of bad smells.

After the house has been cleaned or whilst it is being cleaned it is good to leave all windows and doors opened to vent the house and let the winds take away any lingering chemicals in the air.

Click here to find out about some unwelcomed hidden chemicals in your home products.

How to detox your home | Here are 5 chemicals I have started to eliminate from my house | A good start to the New Year

There are so many unknown chemicals today that we use in our home and many names I can’t even pronounce or decipher if they are good or bad.  I do feel that as consumers we are not being protected as much as we think. I feel strongly that with children in the home I need to spend time researching the best for them. I have always tried to ensure that I read labels of most products that come into the home – this is tough but I assure once you start this project you will be shocked at how many chemicals are in the home. I will also show you some cleaning alternatives that we use at home.

Here are some chemicals that I look out for. There are many more chemicals on the hit list but it can be confusing but here are some major ones that I started to focus on first.

#Formaldehyde – found in shampoos, keratin hair straighteners, hairgels, and eyelash glues and some body washes, cleaning products that kill 100% of bacteria.

So what is it? This is a chemical preservative to stop the growth of bacteria, and this oddly straightens the hair making it silky smooth.

Why is it bad? Formaldehyde can cause cancers after repeated exposure to the chemical, and can be known to trigger allergic reactions, rashes, nosebleeds, asthma and other medical issues.  Also by eliminating all bacteria you create some strands that become more resilient – hospitals are now as a result facing issues of the superbugs.

#Sodium lauryl or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) – found in children’s bath products and also in adult bath products.

So what is it? This is a silly ingredient added just to make your kids’ bath or shampoos more foamy.

Why is it bad? When these chemicals are manufactured, the release a toxic bi-product called 1.4-dioxane. This chemical easily penetrates through the skin, and can cause cancer and birth defects. It may also be toxic to other organs like the kidneys, neurological system and respiratory system.

#Mercury – can be found in some children’s face paints and mascara

So what is it? It is a preservative to stop the growth of bacteria

Why is it bad? It is a well-known neurotoxin that can cause reactions on the skin and it is easily absorbed by the body and it gets accumulated in the body. The FDA in the US allows it eye make-up in very small amounts if no better alternatives can be found – which is a loophole. So make sure your brand of makeup manufactured in the US doesn’t fall into this category.

#Lead – found in lipsticks and some children’s face paints

So what is it? Lead and other heavy metals like cadmium and nickel are contaminants (which naturall occur in some pigments). The FDA tested 400 lipsticks in 2010 and detectable levels were found in all them.

Why is it bad? It is another well-known neurotoxin which can effect learning delays, autism and other neurological problems for babies. If you are pregnant, be cautious of the lead content. There is no safe level of lead exposure.

To find some alternative cleaning solutions click here.

 To find out more information, Google can be a good source but also, Jessica Alba’s The Honest Life, and Healthy Child and Healthy World by Christopher Gavin are great reads for parents.

Best After School activities Dubai

Top 5 after-school activities in Dubai | According to a mini-survey of parents at King’s Dubai

Hamilton Aquatics 

Suitable for all ages

For more information, visit

Hamilton Aquatics

Where: Different locations

Tel: 04 450 8832

Email: coachmorris@hamiltonaquatics.ae

 

Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club 

Suitable for 3 years and above

For more information, visit

Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club

Where: HRH Sheikha Hind Al Maktoum Sports Hall | Jumeirah 

Tel: 050 765 1515

Email: dubai.gymnastics@gmail.com

 

Centre for Musical Arts (CMA)

Suitable for 5 years for group classes and 6 years for individual classes

For more information, visit

Centre for Musical Arts

Where: Gold & Diamond Park (facing the First Gulf Bank Metro Station)

Tel: 04-341-8872

Email: enquiries@cmadubai.com

 

Tiffany’s Dance Academy

Suitable for FS1 and above

For more information, visit

Tiffany’s Dance Academy

Tel: 050 259 9379

 

Mathnasium (Different locations)

Suitable for 4 years and above

For more information, visit

Mathnasium

Where: Different locations

Tel: 04 421 6939

Email: uae@mathnasium.com

Motherhood | Party Camel | We talk to owner and mum of 2 Aisha Leitner about her new booming stylish party website for children, Christmas, christenings, weddings and much more.

Aisha Leitner is the stylish mum of two beautiful children, Aliyah aged 6 and Kian aged 5.  She is originally from Kashmir but moved to the UK at 16.  After completing her studies in the UK she preferred to move away from the rain to warmer climates.  In 2001, she moved to Dubai to work with Emirates Airlines working in the HR team, and travelling the world was a dream come true.  After meeting her German husband, they decided to choose Dubai as the place to raise the children, and set up a business known as Party Camel, a brilliant ones-stop stylish party shop with items from brands also known to be stocked in famous stores like Harrods, London.  She has certainly inspired me to put together better parties for the children, Christmas and Easter.

Which area of Dubai do you live? 

The Lakes. We have recently moved here and lived at the Shangri-La hotel residence for more than 10 years prior.  We are loving the “suburban” life as my husband likes to call it. The Lakes is a great community, ideal for families with small children as all facilities are available including after school activities and we love biking everywhere.

Which curriculum did you choose for your children? 

After much consideration we opted for Dubai International Academy. It was a tough choice between this school and Kings Umm Suqiem. We decided on the IB curriculum for our children after much deliberation and we love the school they are at. It’s  very multi-cultural, they get to study German as part of the curriculum (my husband is german) and the best bit is, they get to walk to school. Which I am delighted about.

How do you juggle being a mum of two and managing your own business?

With great difficulty, I really struggle to find a balance between work, spending time with my kids, my husband and my friends. (Me time doesn’t exist anymore) But im getting better, organization is the key I find and starting the day really early.

What inspired you to create Party Camel?

My kids, I love planning parties for them and trying to make their birthdays as special as I can. I always struggled to find stylish partyware and accessories in Dubai. In the end I decided to stop complaining and open a party shop, and ive been loving every minute of it.

What kind of services does Party Camel offer if let’s say I wanted to plan something for my 5-year old daughter?

We aim to be a one-stop party shop for all your needs. We offer of course all the partyware from cups, plates, napkins, decorations and party bags and more. All in one place, and you can order form the convenience of your sofa, we deliver the next day within the UAE. In addition we can do personalized party printables, and recommend awesome vendors where you can book a birthday cake, entertainers, catering and photographers.

What 5 tips would you give to a mum planning their child’s birthday?

Get organized at least one month before the party.

Choose a theme with the birthday child, it helps tie everything together.

Personalised party printables really do add the finishing touches to any party and make the birthday child feel extra special.

Hire a photographer if your budget allows or ask a friend to take pictures, as precious memories. This then means you are not running around trying to take pictures yourself but can rather relax and enjoy the party.

Finally invest in a good cake, either your time in making one or money buying one. Cake is important, do try to have your cake and eat it on the day. And most of all enjoy the whole process.

For more information please head to Party Camel to order for your next party.