Chinese Cooking 101

Food is a vitally important part of Chinese (and many Asian) cultures. The major event at a Chinese wedding? The ten-course feast at the reception. The key component to giving tribute and thanks to your ancestors? The food offerings placed on the altar table in front of the burning incense. After all, what other culture do you know in which the first greeting upon meeting is, "Have you eaten yet?"

In the interest of having this truly be a basic cooking post, I've decided not to do any research, but to only work from what's in my head after many years of observing in my mother's kitchen. We'll have more advanced cooking/food posts, but the "only what's in my head" approach for this one should guarantee that it won't get too advanced.

First, key flavorings. In my mother's kitchen, next to the stovetop, she kept the following: a large bottle of soy sauce, a container of sesame oil, a bottle of oyster sauce, vinegar (sometimes Chinese black vinegar, sometimes regular white vinegar), cooking oil, white pepper, and a container of salt. That was it. Sure, if she needed to work on more advanced recipes, she would buy additional sauces and spices, but these were the basics for everyday cooking. Also, two ingredients that were always in the kitchen were garlic and ginger. Thanks to Mom, I know that almost any vegetable can be sauteed at high heat with a little oil and garlic - and voila! You have a stir-fry.

At this point, I'd like to acknowledge my mother for being the fabulous cook that she is. Everything that comes out of her kitchen is mouth-watering. She is always willing to take risks, experiment, and try new recipes. Part of her genius (which I especially appreciate now, as a working adult) is that that she also figured out how to take short-cuts and substitute with American ingredients to save time and effort.

Since we're in the hot summer months and no one feels like slaving away in a hot kitchen, here's a super-quick and easy recipe (thanks, Mom!) to keep your family well-fed and happy in the dog days of August:

Mom's Peanut Noodles!

• 1.5 cups - Creamy peanut butter (brand of your choice)
• .5 cup - Cooking oil (olive, canola, vegetable - whatever you have on hand)
• 2/3 cup - Soy sauce
• 1/3 cup - Vinegar (white distilled or cider)
  
• 2 Tablespoons - Sugar or honey (for a touch of sweetness)
  
• 1 and a half packages - Spaghetti (I prefer whole wheat, but it's up to you)
• 1-2 - Cucumber(s) (depending on size and how much you like them!)
  
• 1 lb. - Chicken meat (you can cook up chicken breasts and shred, or go to your deli counter and get cold cuts and cut into long strips)
  

Optional: chopped scallions, whole toasted sesame seeds

1. Cook spaghetti, drain, set aside. Rinse under cold water to cool, drizzle with some oil to keep from sticking.
   
2. Mix peanut butter and cooking oil in a bowl until smooth. Mixture should be liquid enough to flow off of a spoon. (If not, add more a little more oil.) This is your peanut sauce!
3. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar/honey in a small bowl and mix. This is your additional sauce (to add more flavor to the noodles).
4. Peel and halve your cucumber (lengthwise), scoop out the seeds. Then chop the cuke into "slices" (the result should be little "u"-shaped slices of cuke). Place in a bowl and chill.
5. Prep your chicken (either shred your cooked chicken breasts and/or slice up your cold cuts) and place on a platter.
6. Place all ingredients on the dinner table (or on the counter in the kitchen) and let people combine ingredients as follows into a bowl: noodles on the bottom, 2-3 Tablespoons of peanut sauce drizzed on top, 2-3 teaspoons of soy/vinegar sauce, approx .3 cup of cukes, a few strips of chicken, and scallions/sesame seeds (optional) sprinkled on top. Adjust proportions of ingredients to taste (if you like more peanut-buttery, add more peanut sauce, etc.). (Also, if you'd like to have the noodles on one big platter, you can do so, just keep the ingredients proportional).
   
7. Eat and enjoy!
   

Do you have any favorite Asian recipes to share? Our tummies would appreciate it!

Friday Fun: Hooked on Phonics, Chinese Style

I can speak from experience - it's tough to communicate with cab drivers in China if you don't speak Mandarin, and if you don't have your destination written down in Chinese characters. For those fortunate enough to go to Beijing, check out a cool alternative that can help you get to where you are going....

The art of Chinese ribbon dancing

We're closing in on the Olympics, and I've gotta say that I'm pretty pumped about watching two weeks of intense competition and the emotional and sniffle-provoking profiles of athletes who've overcome [insert unimaginable hardship here] to make it to Beijing. One of my favorite sports to watch is gymnastics, and that includes rhythmic gymnastics, where pint-sized teens/women leap around and perform a combination of ballet, gymnastics and dance with balls, hoops, ropes, clubs and ribbon.

Rewind back to the Tang dynasty in the early eighth century, when ribbon dancing is said to have started. (I haven't found any direct links between ribbon dancing and rhythmic gymnastics, but I'd have to assume that the dance influenced the sport somewhere along the line.) Ribbon dancing has been attributed to Emperor Tang Ming Huang, who was a talented musician, and his lady friend Yang, who was a good dancer. According to the legend, Emperor Tang Ming Huang dreamed that he was in the moon palace surrounded by singing and dancing fairies dressed in long, colorful robes. And that's how it began.

Dancers accentuate their moves using colorful silk ribbons attached to sticks and move to erhu and pipa (ancient Chinese stringed instruments) music. The ribbon symbolizes the clouds, and the patterns the dancers made with their ribbons were believed to attract the gods and bring rain and plentiful crops. The dancers are taught to dance/step gracefully so they look like they're floating through the clouds - these "cloud steps" are still used in many of the Chinese operas and in other Chinese dances.

Ribbon dancing was started to entertain royalty, but it later developed into a folk-style dance that was performed in the streets during harvests and other festivals. These days you can find groups of ribbon dancers performing during Chinese New Year and other major festivals. While researching this post I found links to numerous ribbon dancing shows, and even lessons, in cities across the U.S. If you want to check out the equipment, China Sprout has a set of ribbons for $10.

Have you ever seen a traditional ribbon dance performance? And I'm not talking about Will Ferrell's rendition in the movie "Old School"....

Feng Shui for Nurseries

First of all, the disclaimer: even after having spent several hours researching feng shui this afternoon, I would like to declare that there's a lot I don't know. Especially since its origins date back over 3,500 years, there's quite a bit of information out there!

Literally translated from Chinese as "wind-water," feng shui is equal parts art, science, philosophy and tradition. Essentially, the guiding principle behind feng shui is "chi" (aka "qi") - literally translated as "air", but also used to mean "energy" or "life force". (This is also the chi that acupuncturists refer to flowing throughout the body.) The concept is to keep chi flowing throughout one's space in an unimpeded, organic way so that nature can have its beneficial impacts without being blocked, and that both the yin (light) and yang (dark) forces are balanced.

Personally, I think of feng shui as something that started because of practical considerations, which ended up being interpreted and stylized into something quite esoteric. For example, when I asked my grandmother to explain the feng shui rule about not storing anything under one's bed for peaceful sleep (fully expecting a long answer about flowing chi), she said that it was because in the old days, you'd worry about small animals or rodents nesting in the clutter under your bed - which certainly wouldn't be conducive to a good night's sleep! I'm not sure if those are truly the origins of the feng shui rule, but her reasoning seemed pretty sound to me.

So, in our first My Asian Heritage installment on feng shui - specifically for nurseries! - I'm going to stick with the more basic and practical elements as opposed to drifting into advanced principles such as the bagua (the eight symbols) or the wu xing (five phases). We'll save that for another time.

So, without further ado...some things to keep in mind to properly feng shui your child's room:

• Room location - try to have the baby's room situated in the middle, or "heart" of the home, to help the infant feel secure. Try to avoid having the room above or adjacent any empty spaces (e.g. garage) or a space that has excessive noise (so as not to disturb the sleep chi of the infant).
• Room color - rooms in soft "yin" colors such as pastels can help provide a soothing, calm environment which encourages rest and sleep. Primary colors may be too stimulating for infants, although they can be appropriate as the child grows up.
• Furniture placement - the crib should be placed with the headboard against the wall (not lengthwise), to provide a solid "foundation" for his/her life. The child should be able to see individuals as they walk into the room, so that s/he won't be startled by their arrival - so try to have the crib facing the wall with the door.
  
• Clearing clutter - keep the room tidy and clear. Unnecessary clutter can cause chi to stagnate - and can cause physical, mental, and creative energy to be blocked.
  

So what are the benefits? Boosters of nursery feng shui claim that the correct environment will help infants sleep better, and that the proper flow of chi will positively influence the child's development and promote health, well-being, and success.

Do you have other feng-shui tips or nursery ideas to share?

My Asian Ten from the Last 15

Confused? I was tagged by Jojo at BuddhaBelle and Karen at BusyMamas to share the following:

Think back on the last 15 years of your life. What would you tell someone that you hadn’t seen or talked to for 15 years? How would you sum up your life? You get 10 bullet points. A list of 10 things to summarize you. At the end of your list, tag 5 more people and send on the love.

So keeping in line with the theme of our blog, here's the list of Ten Asian-related tidbits from the last 15 years of my existence.

1) Favorite mini-snack: Haw Flakes, which my grandmother used to give me as a treat. I still have no idea what these are actually made of, but you can't beat the fact that these mini discs are sold in packs of ten. (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

2) Favorite sweets: Mochi balls, which are soft, chewy glutinous rice balls filled with a fruit jelly and sprinkled with powdered sugar. And it also comes as ice cream balls! I've always been a huge fan of Japanese sweets, and having a Japanese specialty food store across the street from my office doesn't help with my sugar intake. Photo courtesy of Gourmet Food Mall.

3) Favorite Asian country: Hands down, Hong Kong.

4) Favorite drink: Vitasoy's Lemon Tea and Chrysanthemum Tea box drinks. I used to suck these down as a kid.....and still do, whenever I get my hands on them.

5) Favorite Asian goodies store: Pearl River Mart in NYC - it's hard not to love a two-story emporium full of random finds that include back scratchers, brocade purses, paper lanterns, sushi sets, teapots, stationary, slippers, jade plants, Buddha statues, furniture, Japanese shampoo and the signature Chinese plaid/red, white and blue shopping bags. And good news for those not in the tri-state area....you can buy online, and they even have their own blog!

6) Memorable vacation: Taking my husband on his first trip to Hong Kong, and showing him where I lived, where I went to school, where I caused trouble with my peeps...

7) Memorable work experience: My life used to revolve around work. Now that I've got a child, I've definitely scaled back, but I'm addicted to my Blackberry and am still overly anxious on Sunday nights in anticipation of all that I need to get done during the week. Whining and complaining aside, it hasn't been all that horrible. In 2005 I was lucky to spend 6 weeks on assignment in Shanghai. I shopped, ate, explored, traveled, met lots of great people and soaked in as much I could in that short time. I absolutely loved it, and if I could move back tomorrow, I would in a second.

8) Good effort, but...Trying to pick up Mandarin again. Back in 2004 or so, my friend M and I enrolled in a beginner's Mandarin class at NYU. It was tough committing to a 2-hour class after a long day at work, but I managed to show up at least 80% of the time. But not doing my homework got the best of me, and not having anyone to speak Mandarin with on a regular basis contributed to my language downfall. And M's father is fluent in Mandarin so he helped her with her homework. No fair!

9) Guilty pleasure...Karaoke. I love it. I don't need to be hidden in a back room with my closest friends. In fact, I prefer to be in the open area - not on a stage, but around the bar where the microphone is passed from group to group - belting out pop songs from the 80s and 90s. Tiffany, Bon Jovi, Brittany, Christina, N'Sync, Oasis....you name it, we sang it. Of course having a few adult beverages to loosen up the vocal cords, and a group of equally karaoke-obsessed and drunk friends always helps.

10) Best experience ever: The birth of my daughter in February 2007.

Now it's Ivy's turn...and I'm inviting Project Nursery, The Q Family Adventure, Tsuruta Designs, and Whoopsie Daisy! to do the same!

Friday Fun - An unconventional Olympics evangelist

Check out this Beijing Olympics superstar...the hair, the tattoos, his living quarters, his rap skills. Happy Friday!

Soymilk, a lactose-intolerant girl's best friend!

Like many other Asians, I can't drink cow milk. It's a very common Chinese thing - the lack of the lactase enzyme in my system. Once source I found estimated lactose intolerance at around 20% in the general population, but at 90% for Asian Americans!

So, what's a girl to do? Turn to soymilk, of course! Literally translated from Chinese, it's known as "bean liquid." During my childhood, my mom used to make it with just a kitchen blender for equipment. She'd buy the dried beans from Chinatown, soak them overnight, finely grind them in the blender, take a cheesecloth and strain out the pulp, then boil the remaining the liquid for at least an hour until it was foamy at the top (undercooking causes your tummy to be very unhappy). A few years ago she bought a fancy-schmancy machine, so all she does now is add dried beans and water, and it sings a little electronic song when the soymilk is ready.

My mother often pairs soymilk to accompany her homemade scallion pancakes (yummy!). At other times she'll buy some traditional Chinese breakfast treats to go along with them like youtiao (literally "greasy line" - a 24" long piece of friend dough) and shaobing (sort of a long rectangular pita crusted with sesame seeds). She also makes sweet and salty versions from the plain soymilk base - as children, my sister and I got ours sweetened with sugar, honey, or maple syrup (yes, these are American adaptations), and my Dad always preferred his salty (with soysauce, scallions, dried meat shavings (rousong), and the youtiao cut into pieces floating on the top. Goes without saying that this was all in a large bowl, and then slurped up with a Chinese spoon.

Thanks to new technology, I've tried milk for the lactose intolerant, but it doesn't taste quite right to me now. I miss the fragrance and slightly thicker texture of the soymilk. That being said, I'll admit that I'm much lazier about my soymilk. I buy a pre-made version from the supermaket that comes in a milk-like carton, and it's mostly my cereal base in the morning. In the winter, I'll use it in oatmeal or just chop up a banana and heat it in the microwave for 2 mins for a gooey warm treat, or just warm a cup to drink as my hot beverage in the morning, in lieu of coffee.

Do you have soymilk stories to share? Tell us here!

Lit we like: the Chinese Zodiac, and sushi too!

Since Ivy and I have started this blog, I've learned a lot, and I guess you can say re-discovered the "Chinese" in me. Over the weekend, a friend of mine actually commented that I've become a lot more Chinese since we met about 5+ years ago. I'll take that as a compliment!

One thing that I've been focused on is populating my kiddie's bookshelf with an assortment of Chinese, and other popular Asian-inspired tales. I owe my Irish-Italian sister-in-law and Korean co-worker for the following two finds:

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac shares one version of how the Chinese calendar came to be. It starts with the Jade Emperor, who recognizes a need for a calendar to tell one year from the next. The answer? Challenge the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finish will dictate the order of the years. The extras at the end - a more in-depth look at the Chinese calendar and the characteristics of each animal, as well as background on the Dragon Boat Festival and the Moon Festival - make this hardcover all the more appealing. I'm no artist by any means, but the illustrations are different than your usual kiddie style book. Simply put, the whole package is pretty cool.



First Book of Sushi is part of a "world snacks" series that includes my favorite Yum Yum Dim Sum, as well as Hola Jalapeno, Mangia Mangia and a Little Bit of Soul Food. Told in short, catchy rhymes, this book educates readers on the sushi basics - learn about tekka, ebi, miso and more, and influence/convince your little ones (or your stubborn friend/family member/colleague who still believes that raw fish is gross) to love these bite sized treats as much as the rest of us do.



What are your favorite Asian tales?

China's Stolen Children

We usually like to keep things light and happy on My Asian Heritage, but I'm still in awe after spending the last 90 minutes watching HBO. And no, it wasn't an Entourage marathon...

Around 70,000 children are snatched from the streets of China each year. That statistic - along with the gripping personal stories of parents whose children were kidnapped by human traffickers, a rescued child, a couple who aren't old enough to legally marry and need to sell their infant baby girl, a trafficker who sold his youngest son because he needed money, and a courageous detective who's trying to help find as many kidnapped women and children as he possibly can - make up China's Stolen Children, a mesmerizing and chilling documentary that premiered last night on HBO.

The production crew posed as tourists, and it's remarkable how they got everyone to talk so candidly about their experiences. It's absolutely baffling how the couples in the film who're looking to sell their children, as well as those who are in the market to buy, are so nonchalant about the whole process. Narrated by Ben Kingsley, it's hard not to get sucked in once you see the first few minutes. I don't want to get into a discussion on politics or ethics, so I'll stop typing now....but I encourage you all to check this out. You can see a preview below, and check out the official site for more info on the actual production, history, stories, and schedule.

I'm off to give my little one a huge hug and kiss now...

For the love of ramen

Here's the scene: you're young, you're poor (or perhaps just lazy), it's chilly out, and you're starving. You set some water boiling on your stove, open up your rickety cupboard, reach in and take out that little air-tight packet of goodness...yes, instant ramen!

We all have that memory...for me, it was such an oft-repeated scene in my first few years out of college that they all blur together. What I *do* know for sure was that there was no longer a dining hall to turn to, the packets of Top Ramen or Maruchan were sold 10 for $1 at the supermarket, and within minutes I could cook up a hot and satisfyingly slurpy bowl of salty, msg-infused broth and noodles that would chase away my hunger late into the night. (And yes, I'm involuntarily starting to salivate as I write this.)

Ramen is a traditionally Japanese dish, although it traces historical roots to ancient China. During the Meji period, ramen noodles were introduced in Chinatowns in Kobe and Yokohama. Instant ramen, a variation of the traditional dish, dates back to the Qing Dynasty in China, when the technique of deep frying noodles was discovered. This new approach kept noodles from spoiling and made them faster to prepare.

Modern ramen noodles were invented by Taiwanese-born Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods. Introduced in 1958, "chikin ramen" (as in, chicken) was boiled with flavoring and then deep-fried in palm oil to remove moisture. In 1971 (same age as me!), "Cup Noodles" were introduced to the world with their very own styrofoam container, thereby changing the lives of college students forever after. Alas, "Noodle Papa" (as Ando was lovingly known to the world) died last year, at the ripe old age of 98. He credited his longevity to golfing and eating chikin ramen almost every day.

Others are not such boosters of ramen's nutritional benefits. For starters, they're generally high in sodium - up to 60% of the USDA recommended daily allowance of 1,200-1,440 mg - and in extreme cases, over 3,000mg. Also, since they are deep fried, they are also high in saturated fat/trans fat.

That being said, I've made my peace with my squiggly 'ole post-college friend. Since most of the sodium is in the flavor packet, I don't use all of it. I'll throw in an egg for protein, and some fresh/frozen vegetables for fiber. Also, I've decided that it's my new air-travel staple. Light and easy to pack into a carry-on, I indignantly spurn the insultingly small packet of peanuts or the $10 sandwich they try to sell to you by whipping out my pre-packaged bowl of ramen (usually Korean, because I like spicy) and asking the flight attendant to fill the styrofoam bowl with hot water. Minutes later, I'm the envy of all passengers within smell-range as they hear and watch me slurp down, rehydrate, and warm up with my bowl of goodness. Long live the ramen noodle!

Have you had a secret love affair with the ramen noodle? Any good recipes you'd like to share? Tell us your tale!

Friday Fun: Cheerleading in China?

Thoughts?

What's your lucky number?

How much would you pay for a vanity license plate? Californians seem to love them, and I noticed a plethora of Red Sox-related tags this past weekend while on Cape Cod. Among the Chinese community, you'll find people willing to pay thousands, or even tens of thousands, for license plates that include as many number 8s as legally possible. Is it because they're die hard figure skating fans, or wanting to pay homage to the classic crazy 8s card game?

Nah, it's all about bling - in Chinese culture, the number eight symbolizes wealth and good fortune, as the Chinese pronunciation sounds similar to the word prosper. This is why the Beijing Olympics are starting at 8 pm on 8/8/08, and according to China's Xinhua's news agency, more than 9,000 couples have registered to wed on this most auspicious day. Without giving too much away about my whereabouts, I'm lucky to have double 8s in my address....and one of my favorite dim sum restaurants happens to be Triple Eight Palace. In Chengdu, China, someone paid more than $270K for the phone number 8888-8888. Now that's going to extremes.

The number 6 is also considered lucky as it sounds like the word for "smooth," which translates to "everything goes smoothly." Sounds like a surfer's motto too. In Western culture we see "666" as just plain bad news, but this combo is considered extremely auspicious to Chinese. It's not uncommon to hear about people paying extra to have a string of 6s as part of their mobile phone number.

What's considered lucky in your culture? Share your stories with us!

Shop Talk: Favors, favors, everywhere!

So you're planning some festivities...a kid's birthday, a baby shower, a Harvest Moon get-together. You've looked at the local party store and ai-ya! - they don't carry Asian-themed decorations or favors. You're desperate...where do you turn???

As always, the internet! My Asian Heritage has found quite a few web-based resources for just the right culturally-relevant souvenirs. Move beyond buying fortune cookies from your local Chinese restaurant by visiting the following sites:

Beau-coup has large selection of high-end favors for adult occasions and/or weddings. First, create ambiance the right lighting - order festive round paper lanterns in a variety of colors and hang strategically around your venue. Then, if it's an outdoor event, keep your guests cool by handing out intricately-carved sandalwood fans, or mini-buri for a more rustic, island feel. Finally, make sure your guests remember their lovely evening by handing out personalized travel tea tins at the end of the evening.

For a kid's event, visit Asian Ideas. One click on their ”Party Supplies” category reveals a veritable treasure-trove of items ranging from Hello Kitty tiaras to a Fortune Cascade centerpiece (you have to see this to believe it). If your kid's classmate stole the show last year with pony rides in the backyard, never fear: you can purchase your very own professional Lion Dance costume (with sequins) for the very auspicious price of $888.

If you're planning a sushi party, this will become your new favorite website! You can you find sushi placemats and coasters for the dining table, a sushi shower curtain for the bathroom, sushi band-aids for any of your guests who may inadvertently injure themselves, and sushi air fresheners to keep the room smelling fresh. (I'm assuming that the air fresheners are only shaped like sushi and don't smell like it.)

Do you have favorite places to find Asian-themed party decorations and/or favors? Share them with us!

*Note: the adorable rubber-duckies in the picture with the words for fortune, happiness, health, and longevity can be found here on the Asian Ideas site.

Chinese Tradition: Red Egg and Ginger Party

Last week Ivy talked about Dol, the Korean first birthday soiree, and she touched on the red egg and ginger tradition in a post about her nephew's 100 day party....so today we'll continue the celebration trend and share more details on the Chinese "Red Egg & Ginger" party that I, alas, neglected to throw for my daughter to commemorate her 1st month.

Like many other countries in ancient times, China experienced high infant mortality rates, and babies who reached the one month mark were likely to survive…so that called for a celebration!

In Chinese culture, parents ring in baby's first full month with red eggs and ginger. The color red represents happiness and good luck. Eggs symbolize fertility and the renewal of life, and their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity. Think of ginger in the context of yin (cold) and yang (warm) – ginger adds a touch of “warmth” to a new mother’s diet, which is necessary given she’s typically weak and tired (yin) after giving birth.

At the Red Egg and Ginger party - which can be done at home, or in a lot of cases, at a Chinese restaurant - parents proudly introduce their new baby to family and friends and formally announce their baby’s name. The Chinese believe that one’s name can influence all that happens in life, so making that decision is an extremely important task. Naming is usually handled by grandparents (like mine and my sister’s Chinese names), and in some cases, fortune tellers.

Traditionally, the one month celebration is also the time to reintroduce the new mother to the world. Why? According to Chinese beliefs, women are in a weakened state in the weeks following birth and are expected to rest indoors for a month after delivery (I went crazy after three days). Staying inside ensured that new mothers wouldn’t over-exert themselves, get sick or pass germs on to their newborns. In addition to resting, new Chinese mothers also drink a soup made with pig’s feet, eggs, vinegar and ginger. While I broke every one of these rules and refuse to eat eggs, many Chinese mothers around the world still follow this ritual...and I know my mother was house-bound and sipping creative brews during my first month of life!

So what kind of gifts do you bring to a Red Egg and Ginger party? Lucky money, of course! Crispy bills neatly folded into red “lai see” or “hong bao” packets are the gifts of choice for baby boys, while baby girls may receive pricey jewelry; however, nowadays money is always your safest bet for both. And rest assured, guests don’t leave empty handed, as they’re sent home with their own red eggs - an even number for a boy, and an odd number for a girl.

What was your Red Egg and Ginger Party experience? If you’re a Chinese mom, did you stay home for a month and drink grandma’s soupy concoction?

Shop Talk Giveaway! Battle Against the Drool

Bibs are a glorious invention, especially those with designs that detract from the gobs of drool and milk that usually land between your baby's chin and chest. And, why not celebrate Chinese culture while protecting your baby’s cute outfit (and your own for that matter) from the perils of acid reflux and spit up?

Kudos to our friends at Project Nursery for clueing us in to Beth Powell’s “Bibzees” line of contemporary onesies and bib sets. Beth has even created a set with Chinese characters that read baby and deep and profound, as well as a slew of other combos for your baby rocker, surfer or diva. All bibs and toddler tees use water-based inks which are baby safe and eco-friendly (and after spending 4 days at home in California, I'm much more aware of all things eco-friendly! Wake up, New York....).


Interested in getting your hands on one of these creations? It’s easy – head over to Project Nursery, and share your spit up story in the comments section…and let them know that we sent you their way. A winner will be selected by random drawing. Hurry, as the contest is over on Friday, June 27. Have fun!

Half and Half: A Naming Story

For today’s post, Ivy’s friend Karen (previously a blogging virgin!) has graciously agreed to share the story of how she and her Caucasian husband crafted a name for their daughter that blends both her Chinese and Caucasian heritage.

I was born in the LA suburbs, where I was one of only a dozen or so Asians in a high school of over 2,100 students. Later, I attended UCLA and enjoyed being in a more diverse setting, both as a student and during the 3 years I worked there. At one point in college I remember consciously deciding that I was only interested in Asian guys, thinking that might simplify things somehow?!?! Several unrequited crushes later, I found myself having feelings for Andy, a purely platonic guy friend of three years - and one of the whitest guys I knew! And I mean "whitest" literally - he turns pink just THINKING about the sun. 15 years later, we're married and have a 2.5 year old daughter named...drum roll please...Lee-Shing Van Horn.

Our thinking was simple: since she is half Chinese, she should have a half-Chinese name! We also thought it would be cool to name her Lee-Shing because Lee is my surname, and as most of you probably know, in Chinese names the surname comes first. Even though in pinyin the name is technically spelled Xing, we felt strongly about spelling it Shing, to make it more pronounceable (unlike my Chinese middle name). The word itself means "heart" or "feeling" - appropriately, because she is part of our hearts. (Ok, end of "aw gee" moment.)

Ironically, we spent time defending the idea to my Chinese immigrant mother. She named me Karen because she thought I needed an "American" name. After spending considerable time studying issues of race during my short-lived stint as a PhD student, I have always felt strongly that "American" culture does not equal white mainstream culture. American culture is incredibly diverse, and Andy and I wanted to reinforce that by giving Shing an ethnically diverse name. We also liked that Chinese names have direct translations, so it would be easy to give Shing a name with meaning - in contrast to me being named Karen "because it sounded good" to my parents, and "hiding" my ethnicity in my seldom-used Chinese middle name.

We suspect that when Shing is a teenager, she might hate us for giving her a "weird name." We call her Shing, because if we have a 2nd child (knock on wood), we'll also name him/her "Lee-[first name]." Maybe he/she will hate us too, but at least they'll have an older sibling to sympathize with. They'll just have to rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to go by the name "Lee."

In the end, we did decided not to give Shing a middle name. After all, with a hyphenated first name and a Dutch two-word last name, it just seemed to be bordering on child abuse!

My Asian Heritage says "Way to go!" to Karen and Andy! Do any of you have stories to share of naming negotiations - and the results?

*Post-script: Although there might not be a lot of Asian names on it, one of our favorite online baby-naming resources is The Baby Name Wizard.

Adoption Inspiration: Laura and Shawn's Story

We're been wanting to feature some Asian adoption stories on MAH, and this past week a friend sent me the most beautiful tale - told first-hand by a mother and father of a little girl from China.

Laura De Veau and her husband Shawn started their long journey to become parents in 2005...and 23 months later, got a call from the agency. They were featured in BU Today - the University's website/newspaper - as part of a series featuring the university community "Being who [they] are" (Laura is an alum and works there currently).

What follows are two short videos:
Part 1: Getting the Call – we’ve got a daughter from China!
Part 2: Every day is something new

Laura was also generous enough to let us link to her blog Devonation, for those of you who wanted to get more details.

Thanks again to our friends at BU Today, who agreed to share their fabulously-produced videos. Go Boston University!

Do you have any adoption stores that you'd like to share - pre, post, or currently ongoing? Laura's story made me all teary, it was so beautiful...so I'll be sure to keep a tissue handy.