Kids love dining out even though you might not think so at the time, especially when they are throwing a tantrum in the restaurant or have just dumped a bowl of pasta on the floor in front of the waiter.

Some parents stop dining out when their little ones come along because it all seems like too much hard work. But I have always loved this area of my life and was determined that wouldn’t change when I had my first born..but not for long.

For parents who want family friendly places to eat out with the kids, relax – there is hope.

When your kids are very young start by heading out to lunch and be on the lookout for restaurants that are near a favourite attraction you know your kids will enjoy. That way you can make a day of it. Once you have fine-tuned your dining experience during the day make the next dining out experience a dinner. However, be sure to make it early so you that you can be home before that witching hour.

Don’t be afraid to phone ahead. Asking some simple questions will soon give you a good idea if the restaurant or café is child-friendly. Find out whether they provide high-chairs, offer children’s menus with healthy alternatives and questions that will assist you in choosing the right restaurant for your family to dine in.

Children learn about food and eating from the adults around them and what they learn now they will take into their adult lives. Healthy choices for children when eating out include steamed foods, vegetable-based dishes, stir-fries, soups and sushi at Asian restaurants. Hamburgers with salad instead of fried extras, thin style pizzas with vegetables and lean meats and sandwiches are all good options.

Are you next to take the step of eating out?

Five of us visited Ms Chua yesterday evening at GH Melaka. She is totally unconscious and slept through whilst we were there. One Staff Nurse (SN) came by for her routine medical check and we sort of chatted with her for a moment about Ms Chua. We were told that Ms Chua has been unconscious even before admitting to the ward. No changes at all. She sleep through day and night. Some girlfriends of ours can’t help weeping after looking at her condition. Me included.

She has undergone chemotherapy for the past 6 months and is fit to work. But 2-3 weeks ago her colleagues (known her over 11 years) noticed that Ms Chua started to babble and looked weak. Concerned colleagues followed her for her daily routine in the clinic. “Something doesn’t seemed right”, said Christine. Words pass through to her doctor-boss and was immediately advised to seek treatment. She refused, claiming her next appointment is not due yet. Following that no one knows what has happened because everyone has gone back for the CNY festive.

I have googled for liver cancer information but none came close to this site I found. www.mdanderson.org Look up for Frequently Asked Questions. The information is written precisely as what is mentioned to us during our trip to the doctor’s office in Taiwan.

No one like to fall sick even the slightest viral spread. But none even like to find out when he/she is bring pronounced disease stricken. A close friends’ family member has just undergone ovary (one of her ovary) surgery that is malignant. Being a Major in the army she is fit yet healthy, of course. But why does this happen to her? News came one day that the cancerous cells has spreaded to the other ovary (2nd ovary). Another surgery is scheduled. While I was listening carefully with every word my friend was pouring over over the phone she told me that she may need more information from me/us about cancer, liver cancer. I asked, “Why?”… She said.. “She’s tumor in the upper part of the liver also…”. How can I say anymore.. my heart sank. A reminiscence of my late sis-in-law, Angie, came to my mind… it was awful.

Read about Angie and her fight towards CA Breast. Go: http://adrianhoe.com/angiehoe/

Later in the evening a close friend of mine, Christine, rang me asking for Hospis Melaka’s contact. Why does she need Hospis number? A friend of hers (Ms Chua) is bedridden with lung and brain cancer and now “waiting for time” at GH Melaka. Oh my gosh! Her husband, a dialysis patient himself, collapsed with a raised 200++ high BP after hearing the news.. I can’t believe myself hearing it. I saw her perfectly fine walking on the road with Christine going out for lunch sometime mid-January. By now, I have way too many questions in my head. *^*&#%^@* +@!!*# Why?? We’ll be visiting Ms Chua real soon.