Lava Queen

September is full of weddings as it is the '8th' month in the Chinese calendar, which is considered an auspicious month for weddings. As for us, we've just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at Anantara Vacation Club @ Mai Khao Phuket :D When we were there, we also met a couple of Malaysians who were there to attend some weddings too; one on the plane and one staying in the same resort. Usually when we travel, we always like to be on the go, visiting the points of interests/landmarks but this time we thought, let's try somewhere we could just chill, relax and spend some quality time celebrating together with our baby princess.   After hearing some recommendations from friends and browsing through a few options, hubby booked Anantara Vacation Club. I've been to Phuket a couple of times previously. I find it kinda commercialized, mostly catering for the Mat Sallehs (A term often used by Malay speakers as a colloquial expression to refer to white Caucasians). I pe...

Was shopping at the usual supermarket recently when I saw a lady promoting something which, from far, looked like sweet potatoes to me. I didn't pay attention to her til she called out to me and handed me a piece to sample. She was promoting organic yacons, not sweet potato. The moment I put it into my mouth, I remembered eating this looong time ago, but because I seldom see it in the supermarkets, I had totally forgotten about such a thing.  The yacon is a traditionally grown for its crisp, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots. Though the root looks like a   sweet potato, the taste and texture are completely different. Its crispy texture, juiciness and mildly sweet taste makes it somewhat similar to water chestnut or snow pear. It can be eaten raw or cook. It is said that yacon  is very high in fiber and low in calories which makes it a healthy and nutritious snack.   Some of the health benefits of yacon include its ability to regulate blood sugar ...

What happens when I'm in a rush, need a quick fix lunch for my LO and have absolutely no idea what to cook? I make frittatas! Not only do they taste good, you can make them at anytime, with just about anything. As long as you have a few vegetables and maybe a little meat, you can have a frittata on the table less than 20 minutes. Pan-fry and flip over the stove top, or stir and bake, it's up to you :)  This classic Italian dish is fast, easy and customizable! Ingredients: 1 large egg 1 tbsp corn kernels 1 tbsp chopped long beans 1 tbsp finely chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp shredded carrot 1 tbsp shredded zucchini, squeeze out the water/liquid  1 1/2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese Ground black pepper and mixed Italian herbs, for seasoning Olive oil, for panfrying  Sauté the veggies over medium heat for a few minutes to precook them and to remove any excess water.  In a bowl, beat egg only enough to blend the whites and yolks. Add the pre cooke...

Long hours of working in front of computers often lead to a multitude of other problems such as aching eyes, reduced vision, poor blood circulation in the lower limb and aching neck/shoulder. This soup can help to brighten eyesight and replenish blood.  The soup tastes sweet and earthy. Fleece flower root replenishes blood and makes our hair black and glossy. Black bean is rich in antioxidants, helps in lowering cholesterol and replenishes blood. Red date tonifies blood and heart. Astragalus root nourishes qi and can help to increase energy level . This soup is suitable for those with blood and qi deficiency, poor blood circulation, and poor eyesight.  Ingredients: 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) fleece flower root 1 tael (Approx 37.5g) black bean 6 red dates, pits removed 3 maces (Approx 11.3g) dried longan Approx 15g astragalus root/Huang qi  1/2 chicken Dry-fry black beans in a pan til the skin cracks. Remove from heat, rinse and set aside. *This ...

A great, simple and kid-friendly dessert or teatime snack: Delicate and flaky 'purses' that hold a sweet surprise of cinnamon-scented banana :D These bundles are quite easy to put together and if you are a Nutella fan, you could also add some in together with the banana. Some people swear that banana + Nutella is one of the two great combinations in all of food history! :P The edible 'purses'!  For my LO :D Ingredients: (Makes 3) 1 ripe banana, cut into small cubes 1/2 tsp honey (or maple syrup) 3 sheets of  10cm x 9.5cm frozen square puff pastries, thawed A pinch of caster sugar, for sprinkling  A pinch of ground cinnamon, for sprinkling  Some fresh or whole milk, for brushing Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.  Mix banana cubes and honey in a bowl.  Spoon banana mixture into the center of the square puff pastries. Fold the corners to the center over fillings and twist tightly to seal. Place the fil...

Hectic lifestyle and changes in emotions can cause exhaustion. Especially for women, the effects are seen in a decrease in physical strength, early signs of ageing, dull complexion, lost of radiance, irregular menstrual cycle and deterioration of metabolism rate.  A soup that can help improve metabolism. This is one of the soups that can help improve metabolism. Dried rose tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It can regulate qi and blood circulation and is especially helpful to women suffering from constrained liver qi. Both red dates and dried longan help to replenish/nourish blood and spleen, calm nerves and regulate women's metabolism and enhance beauty.  Clockwise from top left: Dried rose, lotus seed, white fungus, dried longan, lily bulb and red dates. Ingredients:  3 maces (Approx 11.3g) dried rose 1 tael (Approx 37.5g) lotus seed 1 tael (Approx 37.5g) lily bulb 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) dried longan  5 maces (Approx 18.9g) white fungus, r...

This is something I read online recently and would very much like to share it here: #When your baby is born into this world, you thought you have your whole life to play with him. But no, you think he is too small and is not able to play with you. You ignored him. You are stuck to your mobile phone. When he is one, you said that he is too small to play with you, his walking is wobbly/unstable and he may fall. You ignored him. You are stuck to your mobile phone. When he is two, you think that giving him too many toys is a waste of money. You ignored him. You are stuck to your mobile phone. When he is three, and his sister came, you didn't even spend time with him. You ignored him. You are stuck to your mobile phone. Now he is 4 1/2, you said that he can't listen to instructions. You need to wait for him to be bigger then only you will play with him. You ignored him. You are stuck to your mobile phone. Let me tell you that when he is 12, he won't want to pla...

Our family loves lotus root a lot so we'll boil soup with it whenever it is in season. Fresh lotus root is cool in nature. It helps to clear heat, cools the blood, moisturizes the body and quenches thirst.  Carrot and job's tear can also help to expel heat. We have summer all year long here in Malaysia. Besides the hot and humid weather, too much fried food, not drinking enough water and insufficient sleep too can cause excess heat in the body. Therefore, it is important to reduce heat and dampness in the body. This is another soup that can help to expel heat and dampness. It is also suitable for those who suffer from constipation as carrot, dried fig and euryale seed can help to strengthen spleen, nourish the stomach/intestine and promote digestion.  Ingredients: 1 carrot, peeled and cut into pieces Approx 300g lotus root 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) euryale seed/qian shi 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) job's tear 5 maces (Approx 18.9g) lily bulb 5 maces (Approx 1...

Another new porky place! Farm to Plate specializes in 2 of my favorite things: Pork - Iberico (They claimed they serve meat from free range, acorn-eating pigs), to be exact, and coffee. Located in the quiet neighborhood of Damansara Kim, it is the sister restaurant of UoVo, which is just next door. They are having pre-opening reception at the moment. There were still some minor renovations going on when we went over and the owner apologized for the waiting and some teething problems here and there as they were catering both Farm to Plate and UoVo at the same time. The official opening date hasn't been announced yet.  Menu is limited at the moment with just a few mains, pizzas, a mushroom and potato soup, a salad, coffees and beers. We ordered the shoyu & sake Iberico ribs, mushroom pizza with truffle oil (Recommended by the waiter), a hot latte for hubby and Costa Rica brewed coffee for me. I was disappointed when the waiter came over to inform that the pizza was sold out. Gu...

Fast and easy recipes are my favorite. These steamed chocolate honey buns take only about 20 mins to whip up; 10 mins to prepare the ingredients (Lesser if you have fast hands!) and 10 mins to steam. Saw this recipe online by another mom but I tweaked it a little and made them chocolate flavored :D I used a mini muffin tray lined with paper cups to hold them for steaming.  If you need something fast for breakfast or teatime, try these. Not too sweet and with a mild hint of coconut aroma :D Ingredients: (Makes 6 mini muffin sized buns) 1/2 cup all purpose flour, minus 1/2 tbsp 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder  1 tsp baking powder  1 egg 2 tbsp fresh milk 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil  Bring water to boil in a steamer and line the mini muffin tray holes with paper cups.  Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder and baking powder) in a bowl.  In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, honey and coconut oil using a for...