Month: November 2021

Get crafty with the kids

Spice up the school holidays by learning to make these easy and creative crafts and treats as a family!

TEXT ADLINA ADAM
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS, SHUTTERSTOCK

With an active imagination and some guidance, junior HomeTeamNS members unleashed their creative and culinary talents during Children’s Day on 8 October 2021. Missed out on all the fun? Fret not! Get up to speed with our online tutorials and have fun creating these treats with your children during their school holidays.

BIGSY AND BUNNY’S CRAFT SERIES WITH T-PLAY

Bigsy’s Popcorn Craft

Popcorn is not only a delicious treat, but it also makes a great prop for crafting! Have a popping good time with T-Play host, Bigsy, in creating a popcorn craft from scratch. To prepare for your session, you’ll need glue, paint, scissors, paintbrush, cotton wools, ruler and coloured papers.

Watch the tutorial for Bigsy’s step-by-step guide:

Bunny’s Paper Puppet Clown

Spice things up and brighten your day by creating your own sprightly and interactive clown! Join T-Play’s host, Bunny, as she shows you how to make a Paper Puppet Clown. Before you get started, ensure that you have these materials ready: scissors, coloured papers, coloured markers, rectangular cut-out paper and a cut-out paper of a clown head.

Watch Bunny’s step-by-step tutorial:

DANCING PAPER PINWHEEL MAKING WITH HOMETEAMNS-JOM BALESTIER

Not sure what to do with that pile of used paper lying around the house or the paper bags from your lunch delivery?

Turn it into a Dancing Paper Pinwheel and watch it move with the wind! With just a pair of scissors, pen or pencil, another wooden pencil (with an eraser tip), ruler and a map pin, transform an ordinary item into a toy for your child. When it’s done, go outdoors and watch your homemade pinwheel spin.

Watch the step-by-step tutorial by our friends at HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier and make a Dancing Paper Pinwheel:

ICE-CREAM MAKING WITH HOMETEAMNS BUKIT BATOK

Ice cream – it’s a comfort food for all ages and the perfect treat to savour with your family! Members tuned in with HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok and Professor Messy of Mr Bottle’s Kids Party to learn how to make ice-cream from scratch.

“I’m surprised that it tasted like store-bought ones. Time to make my own ice cream from now on,” shared Cheng Chee Wee, a participant of the live Ice Cream Making session.

Watch Professor Messy’s baking skills in action:

Ingredients

2-3 tbsp of sugar
½ tsp of vanilla
½ a cup (about 120ml) of cream
½ a cup (about 120ml) of full cream milk
Sandwich-sized Ziplock bags (if they come in smaller sizes, you can split mixture into different bags)
Big container/sturdy bags
2 cups of ice
120-150gm of salt (no salt required if you have dry ice)
4 tsp of cacao powder (optional)
Gloves (optional)

Directions

Pour 120ml of milk into a measuring cup.
Add two tablespoons of sugar and mix well.
Add 120ml of full cream milk and mix well.
Add two to three teaspoons of vanilla essence and mix well.
Add 4 teaspoons of cocoa powder and mix well (Milo powder can also be used as an alternative, but do keep in mind that the powder already contains sugar. Hence, the amount of sugar in Step 2 can be reduced).
Pour the contents in a sturdy ziplock bag, however you may wish to add another layer for added protection. Ensure that some air are kept in the bag.
Pour some ice cubes into an empty container, followed by the ziplock bag. Pour more ice cubes and let them rest on the ziplock bag.
Add 120-150gm of salt into the container to lower the temperature of the ice, and tighten the lid of the container.
Shake the container for 15 minutes to evenly distribute the temperature and to cool down the ice cubes. Feel free to use a glove or wrap the container with cloth if it gets too cold.
Enjoy your homemade sweet treat with your family!

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Lifestyle

Stay indoors as monsoon season begins – 3 indoor activities for families to have a great time

Post author By Dennis
Post date November 19, 2021
No Comments on Stay indoors as monsoon season begins – 3 indoor activities for families to have a great time

Monsoon season may limit outdoor activities but there are still plenty of fun options for the family to enjoy indoors.

As the rainfall forecast looms heavier towards the year-end, here are three fun indoor activities your family can bond over.

TEXT: MORGAN AWYONG
IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

The great outdoors is, well, great. But living on the equatorial belt also means we in Singapore need to manage our expectations when heading out towards the end of the year, when the monsoon season is upon us. Weather forecasts are not foolproof, so sometimes it’s just better to plan for activities at home.

It comes with perks too – no large bags to pack and no “are-we-there-yet” questions on the road. Sprinkle in a few of these indoor ideas in your year-end itinerary and find the fun indoors.

GAME NIGHTS

Board games are no longer stuffy, as makers evolve with the needs of today’s children. While Monopoly and checkers don’t have the same appeal as before, there are plenty of offerings that can hold your children’s interest. Newer games are more interactive and dynamic, with many sets coming with striking play pieces, such as Tang Garden with its 3D environment or Shadows in The Forest with an actual lamp as a play element.

Don’t know where to begin? Trusty Toys R Us has a good selection for all ages, and one can even test drive some games at the PlayPen at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok. The space offers game consoles and board games. Other places to try games include The Mind Cafe or Settlers Cafe.

Once you’ve found a set that has captured the attention of your kids with good replayability, purchase them online or visit local shops like Toy Tag, Battle Bunker, Games@Pi or Team Board Game to check on availability. Puzzles are great for indoor play too, even though they are technically not board games!

MAKING IT WORK OUT

For the Energizer bunnies out there, it’s possible to expend that seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy with the right trick – workout videos. While this comes across more like a chore instead of play, a lot of today’s options have been spiced up with plenty of creative spins, stirring up the imaginations of your children as they exercise.

Some great examples include this list on yoga for kids, where a variety of videos tap into your child’s attention span with different approaches. Some feature animation while others have pretty palettes or peppy instructors who understand how to motivate young ones.

Otherwise, get the whole family in on the act. Kids love doing things with their parents, and like this video by PopSugar, it cleverly sets up some friendly competition.

Giving kids ownership of their equipment can help engage them. Simple items like a skipping rope can encourage them to improve their skills, especially when they have online materials to inspire them. If your children love to play pretend, these imaginative workouts will have them train to become their favourite superheroes or princesses, and if you’re feeling indulgent, a costume always helps.

It may help to couch them more as activities and emphasise “movement” over “exercising”. Every kid responds naturally to music, so adding the right beats and tunes will liven things up for them as well.

THE RIGHT KIND OF SCREEN TIME

It’s understandable to want to reduce your child’s screen time during the holidays but it shouldn’t be a blanket restriction – there really is plenty of content worth following, like fun instructional videos that have an innate learning function.

From making cute Snoopy sandwiches to drawing a festive gingerbread house, there are many craft and activity videos online. It’s easy to customise for different age groups too. For example, younger children can create cute bentos, while older ones can make pizzas, popiah or even help bake pastries. Group the videos according to theme and base them on a holiday like Christmas or a topic like farming. After that, you just have to supply the materials.

There are even hybrid events, like HomeTeam JOM’s Can or Cannot Sports Math Quiz, where members can either look for puzzle boards on-site and solve the mathematical challenges, or find them on their Facebook page to win weekly prizes.

If your children prefer interactive activities, guided virtual workshops like those run by PartyMojo are worth exploring. Have some spare Lego around the house? Then sign up for some workshops courtesy of Children’s Worklab, which offers weekly workshops.

Parent and child bonding is always precious, so don’t forget to squeeze in some play with your child. Look online for nifty ideas using simple materials, like creating play slime or sock puppets. The best thing about these activities is that your children learn to make the toys they play with. Another form of engaging screentime comes from a family movie marathon. Have everyone prepare the snacks, dress up the screening area (maybe pitch a blanket fort or tent even!) and enjoy the escape.

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Food

Travel to eat with HomeTeamNS

Post author By Dennis
Post date November 19, 2021
No Comments on Travel to eat with HomeTeamNS

Take a global culinary journey without worrying about Vaccinated Travel Lanes or long queues to clear customs.

TEXT AND IMAGES: HOMETEAMNS

What’s one of the best parts about an overseas holiday? Eating abroad like a local and treating yourself to authentic foreign food – without wondering if the recipe has been “localised” to suit Singaporean tastebuds.

The good news is, the recent Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) announcements mean that travel opportunities are gradually increasing. If your favourite holiday destination isn’t on the VTL list, you can still sample global cuisine right here in Singapore! And if you’re a HomeTeamNS member, you could enjoy a good deal in the process, so bon appetit!

INDULGE TEPPANYAKI & GRILL HOUSE

This eatery, located at HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier clubhouse, is known for serving Western cuisine with a delightful fusion of Asian flavours. As far as fusion cuisine goes, the restaurant makes it possible to well, indulge in popular treats. Burgers? Check. Pasta and rice dishes? Check. Grilled meats and fish? That’s just the tip of the culinary iceberg!

Location
HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier
31 Ah Hood Rd
#01-04
Singapore 329979

JOM MAKAN SEAFOOD

If you’re craving for crustaceans or longing for lobsters, this Muslim-owned restaurant is the place for you. It’s known for a variety of dishes including staples like Sambal Sotong, Sambal Stingray, the Shovel Seafood Platter, and barbecued dishes. For a truly local take on a seafood dish, nothing screams “SG” like their Maggi Goreng Lobster.

*Halal Certification pending.

Location
HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier
31 Ah Hood Rd
#01-07
Singapore 329979

SELECT GOURMET KITCHEN

Miss Hong Kong cuisine but don’t fancy jumping through the extra hoops needed for a VTL flight there? Select Gourmet Kitchen offers a taste of the foodie delights you’re after. They serve an array of Hong Kong favourites like their Signature HK Wanton Noodle that is made with premium Kurobuta pork and fresh prawn wantons. HomeTeamNS members enjoy a 15-per-cent discount off their food bill (not applicable with ongoing promotions, discounts or vouchers).

Location
HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok
Singapore 659003
2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7
#01-09B

SWATOW CITY

What happens when Teochew cuisine meets Hong Kong Dim Sum? You get the delectable menu at Swatow City. Whoever said that revenge is a dish best served cold didn’t try Swatow City’s Teochew Cold Crab, which uses yellow roe crabs whose natural sweetness has been magically preserved by the restaurants skilled chefs.

It’s also known for other dishes like Black Truffle BBQ Duck, Siew Mai with Fish Roe and Steamed Prawn Dumplings.

Location
HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok
Singapore 659003
2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7
#02-05

SUKI-SUKI THAI HOTPOT

Say “sawadee ka” to this homely Thai-inspired restaurant that features an all-you-can-eat Halal buffet menu. With a variety of soup bases to choose from, dig in with quality ingredients including thinly sliced beef and chicken, home-made fish paste and unlimited fresh vegetables. Continue the post-buffet festivities with crowd favourite desserts like Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Pudding.

Members enjoy 10-per-cent off their total bill. The All-Day Buffet Set for 2 promotion is available for S$35 nett from Mondays to Thursdays and S$41 nett from Fridays to Sundays. This deal includes the Regular Buffet and a free flow of drinks for two diners.

*Suki-Suki Thai Hotpot is Halal-certified.

Location
HomeTeamNS Khatib
2 Yishun Walk
#01-01
Singapore, 267944

SIAM KITCHEN

If one Thai restaurant is good, two is even better. Siam Kitchen serves authentic Thai fare, prepared by a culinary team that includes chefs from Thailand. Tuck into familiar Thai street food favourites like Green Curry with Chicken, Phad Thai and Thai Olive Fried Rice. The All Day Set for 2 is available from S$42++.

*Siam Kitchen is Halal Certified.

Location
HomeTeamNS Khatib
2 Yishun Walk
#01-01
Singapore, 267944

FUJI IZAKAYA BAR

If indulging in Japanese food is your cup of tea, this recently-opened Japanese restaurant could be just right for you. Step right in and you’ll instantly feel like you’re transported to Japan! It serves a large variety of Izakaya food, dons and ramen. Drinks include exclusive Yukari-flavoured cocktails and award-winning Izumofuji Daiginjo sake. HomeTeamNS members enjoy a 10-per-cent discount off their total bill.

Location
HomeTeamNS Khatib
2 Yishun Walk
#05-01
Singapore, 267944

What are you waiting for? Make your way around the world right here with HomeTeamNS! Find out more about HomeTeamNS members’ deals and treats.

Close Up

Being there for them

DAC (NS) Mohammad Nurizham Shah Bin Abdullah isn’t just a father figure to his own children — he’s also one to ex-offenders integrating back into society.

TEXT Keenan Pereira

Throughout his 22 years of National Service, DAC (NS) Mohammad Nurizham Shah Bin Abdullah has helped to put a number of offenders behind bars. The 48-year-old started his service in Jurong Police Division before being transferred to the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom), where he is now NS Commander. “Our men have arrested people for various offences, from drug-related crimes to outrage of modesty,” he says.

But DAC (NS) Shah’s interactions with those who run afoul of the law do not stop there. Since 2020, the father of four has been an active volunteer at the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), where he is paired with inmates six months before their release. Support at this point of the prison sentence is crucial, as it can make all the difference to the inmate’s success in rebuilding his/her life upon release.

UNLOCKING THE SECOND ‘PRISON’

Support comes in many forms. Sometimes, it could be as simple as teaching inmates how to use a smartphone. “Some have been in prison for so long that they aren’t aware of the tech advances we’ve had in the past two decades,” says DAC (NS) Shah, who works in telecommunications. “Then there are ex-inmates who call me because they don’t know how to deal with conflict at the workplace, and I guide them through the situation. With appropriate life skills, they would be able to hold a job and leave their old ways.”

Volunteers like DAC (NS) Shah also act as father figures to some of these inmates, whose own families have often lost faith in them. “When they don’t have family support and love, they may fall back into bad company and the prison cycle repeats itself,” he explains.

To break such a vicious cycle, DAC (NS) Shah works closely with SPS to engage the inmates and forge lasting friendships with them. “You have to gain their trust before you can step in to advise and guide them,” he says. To date, DAC (NS) Shah has mentored seven ex-inmates and he is proud to share that none have gone back to their old ways.

The learning isn’t just one-way — DAC (NS) Shah has also gained a lot from the stories and struggles of the inmates. “As you hear about what they have gone through, you realise the importance of family and feel grateful for your blessings. Many times, these folks are just lost and need guidance. And as they turn over a new leaf, their greatest motivation is really to regain the trust that their families once had in them.”

It’s a lesson DAC (NS) Shah brings home to his children, aged 18, 16, 15 and eight. “I want them to grow up with the right values. So, I remind them that it’s not just about academic success, but also the difference you make in people’s lives. I am very encouraged that my oldest girl is now volunteering by tutoring underprivileged children. It goes to show how we can influence our children to be better.”

KEEPING AN ACTIVE MIND AND BODY

Besides the importance of giving back, DAC (NS) Shah encourages his children to be active and healthy. In this regard too, he leads by example. “One of our favourite hobbies is cycling. My older kids and I will cycle from Woodlands to Changi Village, where we will meet my wife, my youngest child and our domestic helper for a good meal.”

These moments of levity are especially precious these days, as DAC (NS) Shah does not have to travel for work. Before the pandemic, he would fly around the continent to oversee his company’s overseas telecom operations. “It is a blessing in disguise. I am very grateful to be able to spend so much time with my family these days.”

“There are some who come out of prison and have nowhere and no one to turn to. I want to be there to help them so that the journey out doesn’t feel so lonely.”

Club Buzz

4 reasons you should join the HomeTeamNS family

Post author By Dennis
Post date November 19, 2021
No Comments on 4 reasons you should join the HomeTeamNS family

Taken in 2019 before COVID-19 struck, this image shows HomeTeamNS members at a screening of the UEFA Champions League Finals at HomeTeamNS.

In recognition of our SPF and SCDF heroes, HomeTeamNS offers a home-away-from-home experience at its clubhouses, and countless member benefits around Singapore.

TEXT: NICHOLAS JACOB
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS

Having just celebrated its 15th anniversary last year, HomeTeamNS remains true to its original mission. That vision was a simple one: To recognise the invaluable contributions that Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) NSmen have made towards the nation’s safety and security. More than just an assortment of recreational spaces, each HomeTeamNS clubhouse is dedicated to offering these homegrown heroes and their loved ones a platform to live, play and build connections across a growing community of close to 200,000 members.

Here’s what new members can expect when they join the family.

PREMIUM CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES

Islandwide accessibility is the name of the game at HomeTeamNS. Its clubhouses are located at key locations around Singapore: Balestier, Bukit Batok, Chinatown, Khatib and Tampines, with an upcoming one at Bedok.

Excellently-furnished members’ lounges and a host of exclusive F&B outlets that serve cuisines from around the world offer an oasis from the bustle of city life. Meanwhile, amenities like swimming pools and Fitness Workz gyms cater to those seeking to stay trim and look fab.

Each of the clubhouses offer unique facilities as well. For example, the HomeTeamNS Khatib Clubhouse features Singapore’s first and only Airsoft Arena at TactSim. It’s also home to Adventure HQ, Singapore’s largest multi-installation indoor adventure centre. The Bedok clubhouse, set to launch in 2022, has been designed as a waterfront haven nestled in Bedok Reservoir Park. This new location will host an indoor water adventure and concept villas for a luxurious family getaway.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES GALORE

“Boredom” isn’t a word you’ll find in the HomeTeamNS family dictionary. Dozens of sports courses are available. These encompass a wide range of activities including aikido, badminton, hoop fitness, karate, pilates and yoga. Members also get first pick across a broad spectrum of regularly-scheduled events like SkillFest, an activities-based programme that seeks to boost the holistic development of children between the ages of five and 12.

Other events include mobile gaming tournaments, annual golf championships, and the annual REAL® Run. Home-grown interest groups even offer an opportunity for like-minded hobbyists to come together, including Auto Adventure for avid drivers who loves to travel on a trip together and Golflinks for golf enthusiasts.

THE ART OF THE DEAL

Singaporeans love a good deal – and if it’s one thing we’re proud of here at HomeTeamNS, it’s that we can certainly call ourselves lobang kings. Just signing up for membership gives one access to curated treats from a diverse range of merchants islandwide. Privileges span the food and beverage, lifestyle and entertainment, staycations, and beauty and wellness sectors.

Some popular benefits include all-day, everyday 1-for-1 movie treats at Cathay Cineplexes, as well as discounts at Sinopec petrol stations. Oh, and did we mention the birthday goodies that are available for every member? There are few better ways to celebrate like getting pampered silly (at a discount!) at G.Spa – a nature-inspired retreat and one-stop spa destination rolled into one.

Don’t just take our word for it, check out some of these amazing treats and birthday goodies for yourself.

THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER

Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind – and this is true even of HomeTeamNS memberships.

We invite your families to be a part of ours, and we make it easy by allowing members to sign their whole family up under the HomeTeamNS Family Scheme for as low as S$20. Under this initiative, you just need to pay membership fee for the 1^st family member, and membership fee for the second and all your subsequent family members below the age of 21 within each family is free (subject to a $10 admin fee)!

Sign your little ones up for HomeTeamNS Family Membership to enjoy free T-Play membership for the duration of your membership. This grants excess to exclusive perks including special play rates at both T-Play Bukit Batok and Khatib and a host of discounts and freebies on your child’s birthday month.

Thinking of signing up? As part of a special promotion to mark the launch of the Family Scheme, the one-time administrative fee of S$10 for each new Family Member application will be waived until March 31, 2022.

Learn more about the HomeTeamNS Family Scheme and be a part of the family today.

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