Thoughtful Plate

Upgraded my blog!

2010-03-22T07:12:00.001-07:00

I've updated to wordpress. Please visit this new link. Thanks!

http://thoughtfulplate.wordpress.com/

Free Macarons!

2010-03-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

There's Mother's Day, Hot Dog Day, Hot Chocolate Day, so of course, it would make sense to have a Marcaron Day as well! It all started in 2005, when renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé and other members of the prestigious Association Relais Desserts started Jour du Macaron (Macaron Day). So every year on March 20, bakeries would give away free macarons and raise money for a worthy cause.

This is the first Macaron Day year for us in NYC! Some French bakeries around town are offering this sweet, little sandwich to people who love this expensive treat or just to satisfy the thrill of receiving freebies.

I visited two locations and chose two flavors - hazelnut and lemon. I wanted pistachio, but that ran out. :( I'm saving all hard-earned sweets for my mom.

So...HAPPY MACARON DAY!

2010-03-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

Lotus root is a root vegetable that's indigenous to Asia. A tubular squash infiltrated with holes, it has the unique element of fibrous strands as you cut through .

When chopped in stick forms, the crunchiness resembles celery and carrot sticks. You can also use them in stir-fry with a mix of vegetables or with sliced meat of your choice. It's a very versatile ingredient. Nutrition-wise, it contains iron, vitamins B annd C. The rich fiber content stimulates peristalsis and relieves constipation.

The lotus is also associated with enlightenment and the Buddha. While we appreciate the flowery part, let's not forget the rhizome that supports the life of this plant.

A Success! Matcha Cookies!

2010-03-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

It's raining cats and dogs in NYC today! But I still ventured out and paid the consequences with soggy socks, drooping sneakers, and wet feet.

A rainy day is the perfect excuse to stay indoor, but I'm not the type who bows down to water saturation. No. I'm crazy enough to fight away the wind and slanted raindrops just to run minuscule errands that could've waited till a sunnier day. I'm stubborn like that.

Though I did stay indoor the second half of the day...by getting some work and also baking some cookies. To be more specific, MATCHA COOKIES! I haven't made these for quite awhile and since I'm meeting a friend tomorrow and I don't want to go empty-handed, I decided to take a therapeutic break in the kitchen and whip up a batch. I actually got more dough than needed, so I froze the other half for later occasions.

Now feast your eyes on some green deliciousness. :)

Brownies anyone?

2010-03-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, it's ok to indulge in a little sweet, especially if it's a one bowl miracle. That's right, this is a "one bowl brownie". No need to whip out your mixer; but alright, you do need to sift your flour and cocoa powder. I made this for a new friend I met. I hope she liked it. :)

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter it up.
3. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and cocoa and stir until cocoa is dissolved.
4. Add sugar and mix well.
5. Add egg, vanilla extract, sifted flour and salt, but don't overmix.
6. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

ENJOY!

Lily Bulbs

2010-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

People are becoming more and more health conscious nowadays. We are more aware of the nutrition label on a food package, invest more time in exercising or pay more attention to the media for the latest health updates. However, this is really just old news. Our ancestors already knew that each food owns its particular nutritional value. Granted they didn't have the jargon of vitamin A, B, C or D, they knew that certain food could heal or maintain a healthy body.

For example, Chinese cuisine is very particular with food combination, especially in soups. If you're not feeling well, then a particular organ is 'lacking' something. It's like the ying-yang concept. For myself, I prefer warming food in the evening. I can have a salad in the afternoon, but at the end of the day, I want to warm my body with something soothing and comforting. This post will feature a 'warming' food - lily bulbs. They are also used in herbal remedies. You can find them in Asian supermarkets. Once you open up the small package, you just peel them and make sure to wash them well (lots of dirt since they are 'bulbs' from the soil afterall). You can add the snowy petals to an Asian dessert soup, but I like to stir fry mine with other vegetables. I love their natural sweetness and delicate texture and innocent appearance. You just want to handle them with care and love. Here, I stir-fried the lily bulbs with watercress, wood ears, and brown rice.

Snow Storm 2010

2010-02-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Will this be the last of it before spring arrives??

Did you enjoy the quiet time during the snowfall?

I could only remember two things - wet socks and an aching back from snow shovelling. In all, it wasn't that bad. At least I survived. NYC survived.

Random thoughts...

2010-02-20T14:28:00.000-08:00

I took this random picture while I strolled around the Meatpacking District in Manhattan. I love rundown, realistic objects. If I had a choice of career, I would love to be a documentary photographer. It's a risky job, but it would be so fulfilling and meaningful.

When I saw this fan, I could imagine it had labored through many hours of usage, keeping the person/space cool and comfortable. Now that the weather is cold, this machine has no further purpose, but only as a decoration by a barred window. The fan's weathered condition hasn't been remedied by anyone. For once, I felt sorry for this object, wishing someone would at least brush off the prolific dust or at least adjust the fan so it isn't drooping its 'head'. We often under appreciate the small details around our lives.

Just a thought. A random thought.

Happy Lunar New Year!

2010-02-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Lunar New Year! Today is the start of the Year of the Tiger. Roaaarrr!

According to the lunar calendar, this year's New Year's Day conveniently falls on Valentine's Day as well, so people can just celebrate both holiday all in one! Recession-proof holiday I tell ya. :)

Lunar New Year isn't solely celebrated by the Chinese, as most expected, but rather other Asian countries also take part of the festivities as well, such as Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Yes, more excuses to indulge in various types of Asian cuisine!

As for Chinese traditions, there are dishes that are especially created for our new year and one of them is my favorite 'dessert', which is 'sweet mochi cake', also known as 'Nián gāo', which is a homonym for "higher year", but really a symbol for growth and prosperity. I love it because it's chewy, slightly sweet, and just very warming. I like to pan fry it a little to give it a more 'mochi' chewiness.

I was also in Chinatown, NY to join in the festivity (and crowdiness). Lots of confetti were flying around and kids everywhere were slapping firecrackers on the ground. Scared me to death! :)

Hope everyone had a fun Lunar New Year/Valentine's Day!

Revive Leftover Bread - Make French Toast!

2010-02-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

Let's face it. As much as we wanted (or tempted) to eat an entire loaf of freshly baked bread or bought one from a well-sourced bakery, we still end up with some leftovers in the fridge. Then I would go out and find another shop and buy something there and I would end up with a box full of old bread at home. What to do?? I don't want to feed them to the pigeons (don't want to attract bird doo doo for me to clean up) and I definitely don't want to trash them (a big waste of food!) Since I couldn't sleep this morning (perhaps I was worried about the snowstorm that was predicted for NY, but turned out pretty calm after all), I had some time 'to waste' so I managed to revive some of the old bread to create a french toast breakfast for mom.

It's quiet easy to cook this dish without much effort. All you need is egg, a touch of sugar, milk, a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg and my secret ingredient is corn starch to create a 'crust' on the french toast. For the final toast, I just sprinkle some powdered sugar more for visual effect than for the sweet taste. As for toppings? It's up to your imagination. I was lazy, but I went for the default maple syrup and butter. But if you'd like to fancy up the meal, you can easily make a fruit compote by cooking up some fruit with easy part sugar and water and reduce the mixture down to a thick sauce.

So the moral of the story is - Want not, waste not. :)

Crunchy Food Texture...the Amazing Sprouts

2010-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

We often only discuss food flavors (salty, sweet, sour, bitter, spicy...), but the texture of food is just as critical to our eating experience. There are probably tons and tons of adjectives you can use to describe food, but as a starter, I'll begin with some:

"Soggy, crispy, crunchy, slimy, al dente, hard, tough, fibrous, delicate..."

Well, the list goes on and on. Of course, certain food pairs well with a particular texture, such as a crispy French fry, or al dente linguine; simultaneously, we try to avoid or prevent certain food that reflects a texture that contradicts its nature, like a soggy pizza, a hard chocolate chip cookie or a slimy steak (gross!)

At the end of the day, if I had to pick my favorite food 'texture', I would have to say crunchy, hence my default fruit is always an apple, my favorite meal is always a plate of fresh, raw greens with carrots, and recently, I've been very into eating sprouts. They are a nutritious powerhouse because they're basically beans and seeds and we know how healthy they are to our diet. I used to buy them from the health market, but they can be quite expensive. So, I ordered some seeds online and decided to sprout my own. It's really not that difficult. It's like caring for a plant. You soak them, rinse them and watch them grow! The process takes about 3 days (depending on the seeds/beans), but it's so worth it. They are a wonderful addition on salads, in sandwiches, or just as a snack!

Ikebana

2010-01-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

Something not food-related.

Although I love to bake, I don't consider baking as one of my hobbies. It's just something I do when an event comes up or if I just 'felt' like being in the kitchen (and to remember to scrub down the kitchen really well afterward). I have (or had) other hobbies, such as photography, painting and music, but the first two became too expensive for me. Another art that I wished I had more time and money for is ikebana. I don't want to be great in it, just something I can do to ground myself once in awhile. There's a certain aesthetic element to a floral arrangement. It's not all spontaneous, but particular attention must be given to maintain balance and harmony. I came around a school that offered a free class (while I just had to pay for the material). I jumped at that chance to have my first ikebana experience. During that hour and a half of class, my mind focused only on how to beautify the space of the flower pot. The instructor showed me the different styles and certain 'rules' that one has to follow, but they all made sense because in the end, the arrangement came out beautifully. Although I couldn't carry the final product with me, I took a photo of it as a memory before I headed out of the classroom, down the stairs and out into the real world.

Konnyaku Jelly

2010-01-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Another name for "konnyaku" is "devil's tongue". No, it's not a voodoo delicacy, but rather a healthy block of jelly made from konnyaku potato and calcium hydroxide that's commonly found in Japanese dishes. It has recently gained popularity due to its fiber value and it's low in calories and contains no fat; hence, it's also considered a 'diet' food. But I don't like to think this way. I love its texture (a little slimy, yet firm) and I love to decorate it to beautify my meal. Because it has no 'taste', you can dress it up anyway you like. Pair it with your favorite sauce or flavor, stir fry it with chopped vegetables (I like to use slivered carrots, sliced celery, mushrooms and diced scallions) or add it to your raw salads. Yes, you can eat konnyaku raw too, just remember to rinse it before eating it.

A Special Kind of Salad That Needs "Pampering"

2010-01-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

I admit, I've been addicted to reading food blogs lately. I have a few 'go-to' ones that I comb through daily since there are just so many out there in cyberspace. To me, food blogs can be categorized into two sides - the 'cooker' and the 'restaurant-attender'. Of course, there's a gray area, but in general, you see this trend.

I like to read the 'cooker's' blogs for recipe inspirations and practically 3D-liked photos of food. But I also like to read the restaurant reviewer's writings to prep myself for times I need to pick a place to dine out. Albeit I don't dine out often, but I think my vocabularies actually improved just by reading these posts!

Most food blogs are either dedicated to dessert or the 'health' road, you know, the cooked oatmeal, the Lara Bars, or the obscene variation of salads. Last year, I was obsessed with steel cut oatmeal, but I have passed that phase. Not a big oatmeal morning person afterall (and you?) But recently, I'm embracing the incredibility (is there such a word?) of avocado. Yea, it's high in fat, yadda yadda yadda, but a little goes a long way and I think it's a much healthier spread than butter or cream cheese. I'm even thinking of subbing it in some baking recipe. Just to experiment with it. So many foodie blogs are featuring this so called 'massaged' kale salad. Yes, you actually put you hands into the chopped greens and rub it like you would to marinate a chicken or a turkey. The 'massaging' helps to break down the cellular structure of this difficult to digest raw kale. Most recipes ask for a bit of salt, olive oil and of course, avocado, but I omit it (not a salt person, sorry) and just use avocado and good olive oil. I let the combination sit overnight and I think my kale salad still softened enough for me to eat. I also 'massage' in some diced tomato and black pepper, but basically, you can add any vegetables you like. I love this salad. I just can't imagine how refreshing this would be on a hot, summer day.

Another Birthday Treat - Chocolate Hershey's Kiss Mini Cake

2010-01-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

When i finished my academic work study, the department I worked with presented me with a mug full of Hershey's kisses. Unfortunately, I'm not a chocoholic (Gasp!), so I've been brainstorming how should I deal with these mini sugary seductions. Then, my friend's birthday was this last weekend and since I'm on a tight budget (tuition is really expensive...), I usually bake goods as a birthday present. So far, nobody has complained...yet. This time, I baked a chocolate cake adored with a kiss...a Hershey's kiss. This recipe is really for cookies, but I used a toaster instead of an oven, so I had limited heating space.

I always recycle the aluminum tart tins from the Chinese bakery's egg custard tarts. My mother always complains that I collect so much 'garbage', but instead of 'buying' the tart bases, I'm reusing the old ones. Isn't that more environmental and economical? :)

Diner Food

2010-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

How did your new year start? Mine wasn't too pleasant. First, I didn't sleep well last night, then I had a bad lunch experience at a supposedly 'fancy' restaurant. I had confirmed if the lunch prix-fixe was available even on New Year's Day, but when I arrived, it was a different story. Also, when I ordered some take out from a Chinese restaurant, instead of what I paid for, I received a carton of cabbage instead. Apparently, someone else took my 'more expensive' order. Well, luckily, the restaurant will replace my order when I go back to get it tomorrow (which I've to purposely travel there) and the man over the phone was very polite and courteous. So guess it didn't end up to be so bad...

Anyway, on a more positive note, I haven't had a creative outlet lately, so I went on a photo shot this morning. I love vintage buildings, especially old-fashioned diners. If I had to choose, I still prefer the elbows on the table dining experience over a 5-star one. I savor casual things over elegant ones I guess. When it comes to diner food, I looove the toast. Don't know why, but it always come out perfectly crunchy and well...toasty. It's probably a shocker to you, but I often order the 4 steamed vegetable plates. Yea, it's probably frozen vegetables, but I always get a baked potato as my 'starch' on the plate and I just adore it since I've no patient to bake one at home. Who has time to wait 45 minutes for a meal? :) What's your favorite diner food?

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T14:47:00.000-08:00

Although today is Christmas Day, I see it more as a holiday than a religious day. It's just a special day to spend time with family and friends and to give thanks to people we love and care.

The new year is just around the corner. Any new year resolutions?

World peace? ^_^

Bitter Melon

2009-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

Sweet. Sour. Bitter. Salty. And yes, another recently popular taste term - umami. Which is your most prefer "taste"? I'm a bit of a rebel because I prefer 'bitter' taste. But no, I don't enjoy taking medicine (flashback of me spitting out syrupy, sweet/bitter cold medicine), yet when it comes to food, I would much rather pick a dish with a bitter flavor than a sweet one; hence, don't count me in for a dessert session.

One of my favorite bitter dish is made with of course, bitter melon, also known as goya (Japan) or karella (India). Different regional bitter melons also have varied appearance as well. For example, the Chinese ones have a smoother outer touch than the Indian ones that are like volcanic eruption, but the latter taste crisper than the former kinds.

The bitterness from a bitter melon helps to beat the heat, which is why the Okinawans have a popular dish called goya chanpuru that's a stir fry of sliced goya, tofu, and pork. Since I'm a vegetarian, I omit the meat and just add in other greens, such as scallions or extra chopped Chinese cabbages. Travelling in Beijing, China, I also discovered some locals who served bitter melon as a cold appetizer, which is quite refreshing during the summer season. Just blanch some sliced bitter melon and then drizzle sesame seed oil on top as a dressing. Light and healthy.

Although we're entering into winter, I still crave for some 'bitterness' when I need to rejuvenate my digestive system because I always feel refreshed when I eat my greens no matter what the temperature is outside.

Baking Session for Party

2009-12-18T05:59:00.000-08:00

Finally! My semester is over! Although I didn't pay $XXX per class, the department decided that we should use the last class to mingle/eat/drink/chat. Not that I'm going to complain because your mind just isn't there in the last class, you know?

So everyone was asked to volunteer to bring in something and of course, I like to use every little excuse to get into the baking mode. I needed something simple though because I don't have much time on hand, so a one bowl wonder sounds perfect for my schedule. Well, it's not exactly one bowl since I've to separate the wet and dry ingredients first, but easy enough to create less mess in the kitchen.

I've a canned pineapple on hand, so I wanted to bake a pineapple cake, but I wanted something WITH it. I realized I've some shredded coconut in the cabinet, so done deal! I'll bake a pineapple, coconut cake with cream cheese frosting! Not only it'll be a moist cake (from the fruit's juice), but I get to use up some of the canned goods AND it's not a chocolatey desserts as most people might have been indulging too much chocolate brownies/cookies/cake lately due to the holidays. And I wanted something fruity, so this was just perfect.

My friend tried it and she loved it because it wasn't too sweet nor too dense. If I had the time, I would make it a two layer cake, but for now, one will do.

Chocolate Ricotta Cake

2009-12-02T16:10:00.001-08:00

There are fou reasons for this baking session. First, I needed to use up the remaining ricotta cake from my Thanksgiving tiramisu. Second, my friend is feeling down lately and doesn't have much of an appetite. My maternal instincts immediately click and wanted to bake her something. Third, baking has always been my therapeutic outlet and I find seeing something created from scratch to finish really rewarding. Fourth, well, I needed to write a new post!

This chocolate ricotta cake is like a one bowl wonder. Besides the sifting and the butter melting, the process is quite simple to follow. Better yet, it's vegetarian because no egg is involved! Well, there's still dairy, but if you don't eat egg, this is definitely a dessert to savor. So without further ado, I present you a very moist chocolate ricotta cake.

Ingredients

3/4 cup of ricotta cheese

2 cups of self-rising flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 cup of sugar

1 stick of butter, melted

1/2 cup of hot water

Steps

1. Preheat oven at 325 F

2. Sift flour and cocoa powder. Then add sugar, butter, water, and ricotta. Mix well, but don't over do it.

3. Butter a pan and pour mixture in.

4. Bake 45-50 minutes. Insert knife to test if the cake is done. If the knife comes out dry, then take the cake out.

You can serve this with some homemade berry sauce or add nuts as well. You're free to decide.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Dessert - Pumpkin Tiramisu

2009-11-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Alright, now I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture of my 'sweet creation', but at that moment, the Thanksgiving dinner is slowing turning into a food coma and I was too exhausted (from cleaning and helping out) to whip out my camera. But I swear. I DID make this pumpkin tiramisu.

I wanted to break away from the conservative 'pumpkin pie' mode and lucky that I did because the host of the family (my mom and I were invited to her friend's house) baked THREE pies - pumpkin, apple, and sweet potatoes. I figured that everyone is going to expect some sort of pie at the dinner table, but I really wanted to celebrate one of my favorite squashes and how could you go wrong with tiramisu?! And there's no baking involved, especially since the stove is preoccupied almost the entire time to prep for dinner. So, I researched on the Internet and came up with my own little creation (since I couldn't find any mascarpone cheese at my local supermarket and by Thanksgiving Day, most markets across the Tri-State areas are practically bare!) Without further ado, here's the recipe. Actually, since I still have some ingredient remnants in the fridge, I might just make another one. :)

Pumpkin Tiramisu (chill for 8-24 hours)

- 2 tablespoon of honey mixed in 1/4 cup of hot water and let it cool
- a 15 oz can of pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of mascarpone cheese (but I used ricotta cheese, so whip it up to create a creamier consistency)
- 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
- ladyfingers (or sponge cake, depends on what you've on hand)

Directions

1 - For filling: combine pumpkin, all the spices. In another bowl, beat whipping cream and granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into pumpkin mixture.
2 - For topping: in another bowl, combine mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar. Beat in 1/2 cup of whipping cream until thickened.
3 - Now to assemble: layer the ladyfingers or thinly sliced sponge cake on the bottom of a pan. Drizzle a bit of the honey syrup on top. Using a spatula, spread some of the filling on top. Not too thick though. Now repeat the same process - layer the cake part, drizzle some honey water, then spread the filling again. The last layer should be the whipped cream. If you like, you can sprinkle some cinnamon on the final top. Cover and chill for 8 to 24 hours.

Once the tiramisu has firmed up, just slice it up and serve. The adults at the party actually prefer my cool and light dessert is a satisfying ending after a heavy meal.

Enjoy and hope you all had a wonderul and fulfilling Thanksgiving!

CANstruction - Feed the arts and the hunger

2009-11-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

CANstruction is a charity among the architecture and design elites. From their website,

CANstruction is "a foundation of the Society for Design Administration (SDA), Canstruction® is a Trademarked design/build competition currently held in cities throughout North America Australia and cities from around the world will soon be participating . Teams of architects, engineers, and students mentored by these professionals, compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. It takes 8-12 weeks and thousands of cans of food to create a structure."

I visited this event a few years ago and that was still in the Curry Hill location. This year in NY, it's heald in the World Trade Center building. Perhaps a better idea as it's more accessible to both tourists and the locals.

On views were statues of themes created with...of course, canned (and some bottled) goods. Some were really fun to analyze or to ponder upon, yet some did lack a bit of creativity. One of the structure that stood out to me was the pumpkin pie, especially since Thanksgiving is arriving soon, though I was perplexed why didn't the design firm use pumpkin cans. I looked a little closer without stepping over the rope boundary, the 'pumpkin pie' was built with Bush's brand of beans. Is that because pumpkin cans are in short resource lately?

PS I was also a good citizen and donated a can of tomato sauce as well. Check out the website! This meaningful charity is held throughout different cities!

PPS You can check out the rest of the structure in my Flickr collection.

A simple vegetarian meal

2009-11-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's nice to just make a 'melting pot' of meal, you know, the kind that's everything but the kitchen sink. I don't prefer an elaborate dinner meal because I'm an early sleeper, so indulging in a 5 course meal would just tax my sleep. I prefer a meal based on greens with a little protein and carbohydrates, but mainly vegetables. Tonight I'm dining solo, so instead of making a pot of rice, I decided to create a tofu pot. It's not the most photogenic picture, but I felt healthy after eating my dinner. Now I'm ready for dessert. :)

Blender Blunder Won't Stop Me!

2009-10-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

I just realized it has been quite awhile since my last post. Various events (and laziness) are the culprits, but I finally gathered myself together and took some photos of an edible gift I shall present to my friend as her belated birthday gift.

When you don't own much disposable income, cooking/making something is the best birthday gift alternative. I wish I could treat my friend to a 5 stars restaurant meal or buy her brand name items on Fifth Avenue (hmm...these words are sounding more like a blues lyrics...), but then again, wouldn't spending time to create something from scratch be more genuine, meaningful, and thoughtful? Well, that is if my edible gift is, well, edible. But I think I got it down.

The other day, I bought two pounds of flour because they were on sales. Then at Trader Joe's, I discovered some cocoa powder. So the combination would yield...ta da! Chocolate brownies! Yes! I made my first trial two days ago (my mother as my guinea pig). Unfortunately, that try busted my hand blender. Oh no! But I shall not be so easily discouraged. Since a brownie batter asks for melted butter (not cold butter like for pastry), thus it's easier to mix by hand than let's say a cake batter. Also, I find that using a hand blender might toughen the batter, whereas you can control the strength of the mixing if you're doing it by hand. So the second attempt came out quite well! And I also added two secret ingredients...hopefully, my friend would be able to taste the slight difference.

The Incredible 'Inedible' Egg...shell

2009-10-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

We've all been 'brainwashed' by health magazines and the medical field on the health benefits of eggs. Yes, the protein. Yes, the vitamins. And yes, it curves your appetite. But what about the 'forgotten' child...the egg shell? Of a boiled egg, we peeled it away to reveal the price winning - the 'meat'. Then we throw the literally shattered shells into the trash. We crack an egg and once again, dump the half broken pieces into the garbage, only wanting the yolk and the white. Poor egg shell. But I shall discover and educate the public on your usefulness.

There are lots of ways you can reuse your egg shell. No, you're not going to eat it, but it's a versatile little gadget for your everyday duties. Here are just a few examples. Feel free to add in some more!

1) To get rid of water stain inside a water bottle - Soak it with egg shells twice and then dump the content out.

2) A facial mask - Gathered a small amount of VERY broken egg shells, then add a little milk powder and organic honey to create a paste. Lather onto the face and leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse under warm water.

3) Plant fertilizer - rinse the egg shells and then place it on top of the soil.

4) Polisher - Clean the egg shell in a container of water and use this water to wash glass or other kitchen dishes.

5) Oh, and to end on a really cute and unique purpose...a semisphere-egg shell can turn itself into a funnel by poking a hole on one end. Then uou can use it to pour oil into a bottle. No mess. No fuss.

How to deal with stress?

2009-10-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

We all deal with stress almost on an everyday basis. Whether it's school, work, relationship, or health, it's one of the driving forces in our daily activities. Stress can be a good thing because it motivates us and keeps us at a flight-or-fight mode. But when it's excessive, as in anything, it's dangerous for our health and mentality.

I've been undergoing some stress lately and I'm trying out different things to ground myself. There are lots of recommendations out there, such as exercise (walking in the park, swimming, joggin...), listening to music, a healthy diet (food that beats stress), communicating with friends and family, or maybe even seeking professional help.

Stress is a tricky thing too. Is it something you put upon yourself or influenced by the external environment? We need to be truthful and find out the source of the stress before we can relieve it. I also find that staying away from technologies (email, TV, Internet...) helps to refocus myself. Just imagine a reclusive life. You'd have no cell phone, no TV and definitely no Internet. See how peaceful it could be? It might be difficult at first, but I think it's worth a try.

Any other ways you use to de-stress? Would love to hear your sharing.

R.I.P. Gourmet Magazine (1941–2009)

2009-10-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

Surely, foodies across the U.S. are mourning of the last issue of a reputable food magazine called Gourmet. Hmmm....gourmet...what a fine and elegant name for a magazine that features delicious recipes (that actually works!) and beautiful food photos. This magazine is probably the first "food porn". Unfortunately, due to the reduction in advertisement (helloooo recession), Condé Nast has decided to close out Gourmet, yet keep Bon Apetit, which is another food magazine, but with a different demographic IMO. Nevertheless, it's just sad to see something that has been with us for 68 years go. 68 years of staying in business is no easy feat; unfortunately, all things must come to an end sometime. I wish the best of luck to the Gourmet employees, as they are the ultimate victims in this business decision.

The question for the general readers is...where do we turn to read a decent, honest food magazine now?

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

2009-10-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

These two Chinese characters say "lotus seed", which is the flavor for this mini mooncake.

Today is 8/15 (also the fullest moon of the year), according to the lunar calendar and this means it's the annual Mid-Autumn Festival! This holiday is much more festive when i was younger. We would lit the lantern, eat delicious mooncake and enjoy this family event right under the full moon. Nowadays, it's mostly the commercial enterprise of mooncake purchases and consumption. The original mooncake is made of lotus seed and contains the yolk of a salted duck egg in the innard. But in order to attract more capitalistic curiosity and marketing, mooncakes come in a variety of flavors and texture, such as red beans, assorted nuts, fruit-flavored (dorian anyone??), green-tea flavored and even an ice-cream version as well! I for one still has a hidden love for the authentic version san the egg. Mooncake is definitely not something I would eat on an everyday basis because it's quite hearty and sweet, but once a year, it's a great way to satisfy one's sweet tooth, while savoring the coming of autumn under the full moon (unfortunately, it's raining today...so no moon).
<\blockquote>

Herby Post

2009-09-27T11:13:00.004-07:00

Besides cilantro and scallion, basil would be my next favorite herb. I like greens, so why not 'grassy' greens? Herbs have ben lauded for adding flavors without the calories, though let's not forget the health benefits as well.

I like cilantro because it pairs really well with other vegetable dishes and also a clear broth soup. It has anti-inflammatory benefits, lowers blood sugar, and helps with digestion. Cilantro is commonly used in Mexico and Asian dishes.

As for basil, the first cuisine you'd think of is of course - Italian. Even the color green is part of the country's flag. But basil is actually a native of India, which has a different name - tulsi. Basil also has its anti-inflammatory benefits, plus a cure for motion-sickness and treatment of respiratory system disorder. I like to throw in some basil right before I serve a dish of pasta or vegetable dish or shred some over a mixed green salad.

Of course, there are other herbs out there - fennel, thyme, sage...but when it comes to versatility, I put my vote for cliantro and basil.

When you're under the weather...

2009-09-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

Chicken soup...congee...honey tea...

What do you crave when you're under the weather? Although I try to maintain a vegetarian diet, my body instantly craves salmon whenever I'm sick or feeling lethargic. Perhaps it's the protein my body is hoping to replenish? Salmon is a 'mood food' because the rich omega-3 fatty acids may protect against depression (although I am sad that I'm killing the fish...) Besides salmon, I also like to hydrate myself with lots of green tea. Rest is probably next on the list because I'm the kind of person who just cannot sit still, though there's no doubt that rest is of utmost important in leading a healthy lifestyle.

Different culture utilizes different foods to boost energy or to cure illnesses. What do you eat or do when you're under the weather or just not too well?

Pears

2009-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

It's so difficult to choose a 'favorite' fruit, especially the taste of this nature's candy really depends on the seasons. Spring brings you apricots and strawberries; summer presents us juicy watermelon and peaches to quench our thirst; fall's crisp breezes indulge us with grapes (wining al fresco perhaps?), figs, and pears; and finally, winter's citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruits, and oranges provide vitamin C to prevent colds and other wintry sicknesses. See? Mother nature knows us best.

But if I had to choose my top, TOP 3 favorite fruits, one of them would be pears. I'm so happy that pear is one of the most common fruits that is sold almost year round, thus I can satisfy my 'peary' needs just by visiting my local supermarket. There are many types of pears, but because I prefer fruits with a crunch, I play a favoritism towards peckham and bosc pears. I know anjou pears are moist and juicy as well as the red pears, but I like the 'biting' factor and the work I put on my mouth.

If you pay attention, everyone eats their fruit differently as one. Some may just wipe it down on the sleeve and bite away, whereas other would peel the skin with a knife and only see the flesh. I do both. I peel the skin, slice up the flesh and enjoy every single sections, and then consume the skin because that's where all the fiber resides.

Would you like to share your favorite fruits? :)

And finally - MY Turkish Meal

2009-09-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Equipped with the knowledge that Turkish dishes are mostly meat-centric, I already mentally prepared myself that I'd be living off bread and cold salads a lot. Sounds boring, right? Well, surprisingly, I enjoyed my meals. First of all, the bread (as I've mentioned in the previous post) was amazing. I loved the outer crust (not a Wonder Bread gal) and despite the fact that I try to steer away from white flour, multi grain is difficult to come by since white flour is the main staple grain for bread making over there. Then again, there are some types of bread that are destined to be 'white'. Helloooo crusty baguette!

When the temperature is over 90 degrees, a cold, crisp bowl of salad fills your tummy without weighing you down. But I'm not talking about a small plate, but a BIG portion of salad. I received one for just $3.50 US! Just look at this beauty! Everything is meticulously assembled and not just clumsily tossed. The salad included lettuce, julienned carrots, pickled red cabbage (my fav!), canned corn, sauteed mushrooms, olives, pickles, and fresh sectioned tomatoes. What a deal! Although this meal lacked protein, I remedied it by throwing in some of my own almond slivers. With a light splash of pomegranate juice (their version of balsamic vinegar) and luscious olive oil, it's good to go. I did miss my Asian vegetables while travelling in Turkey, but now that I'm back, I miss my Turkish red cabbage and the cheap salad prices.

Eggplant Patlicanli Kebab - A Savory Turkish Dish

2009-08-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

While I'm a vegetarian, my mom isn't, so she was able to order off basically anything on the menu (my next post will be on what I mostly ate during my trip. A hint - it wasn't anything exciting).

Kebab and gyro dominate street corners and menu spaces. Lacking in the vegetable department, my mom needed some 'fiber' in her dinner. We spotted eggplant patlicanli k ebab (eggplant kebab) and she was sold. Well, it turned out to be a kebab of cubed eggplant AND beef. It was a great deal at about $8 US and it came with rice (FYI, their rice is cooked in salt and butter, so not plain rice), grilled tomato, onion, and pepper, plus lavash to wrap the food in, such as a DIY burrito meal. The beef was nicely spiced and it was a lot of food. Our dinner also came with complimentary ezme (spicy tomato dip) and pickled condiments. I wasn't too fond of the dip (too spicy for me).

Although I didn't consume this dish, I still wanted to share it with you the reader because it is a typical meal you'd find in Turkey. It would be boring to just showcase what I ate. I think we can all learn something from each other through sharing our knowledge in addition to personal experience. I may not eat meat due to personal belief, but I still encouraged my mom to order some of the common, national dishes so SHE could experience what's it like to eat like a local. Food plays a significant role in any culture, so if it isn't due to religious, health or personal reasons, I think it's important to try out different food as a way to respect and appreciate a particular culture.

Bon appétit!

Turkish sweets

2009-08-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

Now how can you have tea without a little 'something something'? To end our last evening in Istanbul on a 'sweet' note, we left the dinner restaurant and hit up a more local cafe to get our sugar fix. There was an array of Turkish sweets, such as the ubiquitous baklava, kadayif ((made from shredded pastry baked in syrup) or lokma (deep-fried lumps of batter served in syrup). We chose a pistachio kadayıf.

You see how small it is as my sweetie rested on the snow-white plate?? You don't usually order 'just one', but I just wanted a taste not a sugar rush at that hour. This two bite miniature is just perfect for my two sip Turkish tea. As I savored the last moment while looking out on the evening street, I recalled the warm hospitality in the smaller Turkish city and luscious history this country is built on.

Turkish Tea (çay)

2009-08-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

Turkish tea, also known as çay was my favorite beverage while on vacation there. As I'm used to the American version of drink quantity (big cup of tea, big mug of coffee, big gulp of soda...), I was at first mystified by the small glass of tea when the weather there is so hot. How could one quench thirst with just 2 sip of caffeinated liquid? Then I learnt the beauty of savory and patience. Yes, one can discover wisdom by the art of tea drinking.

Turkish tea is served in a tulip-shaped glass along with a stainless steel spoons and exactly two sugar cubes. I don't like to sweeten my tea, but most Turkish do stir in both cubes. As I delicately sip the hot beverage, I soaked in the remaining heat from the early blazing sun along with the late evening breezes. Although I would welcome another glass of tea, I was surprised satisfied with just one. Rarity is bliss sometimes.

Julie & Julia

2009-08-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

I'm going to take a break from writing about my trip to Turkey to chat about a recent movie I saw - "Julie & Julia". As I don't have much disposable income, it takes a lot for me to invest $12.50 on a 2+ hour movie. But...because Meryl Streep is an amazing actress, plus the opportunity to see lots of food porns (instead of watching the Food Networks), I decided to indulge myself a bit and watched this movie alone. I also haven't gone to a movie theatre alone for a long time and actually, I quite enjoyed it. I got to rest my bags in the seat next to me instead of placing items by my feet. I could concentrate on the movie. I might actually go back alone soon. It's like dining solo. It could be very rewarding and enjoyable.

Back to the movie. Lots of reviews have mentioned that the Julia portion should've elaborated more, but because this IS a movie based on a book by Julie Powell and not a documentary about the lovely Julia Child, this justifies the equal balance between the two heroines. I thought both actresses did a fabulous job. Meryl Streep, of course, resurrected Julia Child's spirit, voice, and composition. I remembered the first time I watched Child's cooking show. I must admit, I was a bit afraid of her. She's not your typical prettied-up chef; rather, she's hunchbacked, has an alto tone voice, and a bit disheveled hairstyle. But her genuine personality and charismatic humor won me over. She made mistakes (like we all do) and admitted them. She made the kitchen fun and the most difficult recipe 'easy' to recreate (although I probably would be too afraid to cut a lobster). While watching the movie, I do secretly wished to see more Julia than Julie, but that's another story

I also was touched by the love relationships - Julia and her husband (Paul) and Julie and her husband (Eric). They are loving spouses who supported their wives' dreams and career. I also especially enjoyed the great passion between Julia and Paul and you could tell they treated each other as equal individuals.

While most French foods are probably too heavy for my weak stomach (lotsa 'butta' and vino), the French's attitude towards food should be noted. They celebrate and embrace food rather than the American way of calorie measurement and food categorization.

Julie & Julia could be seemed as a chick flick, but to me, it taught me two things: food brings people together and if you stick to your goal, you'll prevail.

Mountains of Spices!

2009-08-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful gastro contribution from the Turkish land is the amazing variety of spices sold in the local market. I bet if you buy one of each, your kitchen would become a symphony of smell! There were chili powder, mint, curry, saffron, basil...it was just piles and piles of colorful goodness that resembles a walk on a rainbow.

I took this picture at the Spice Market (also called the Spice Bazaar). You can bargain for a good price, but not too low though. Besides spices, tea leaves, Turkish delights, and other local delicacies were also sold by the vendors. It was a culinary heaven and the best part for me was I didn't have to smell anymore meat for a short while.

Another Turkish obssession - FIGS

2009-08-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Besides the amazing Turkish bread, I also felt in love with a nature's sweet - figs. At first, I wasn't too armoured by this small beauty, but after seeing street carts filled with this lusciously sweet fruit sold by kg, I got tempted in buying a couple to try out and I felt in love instantly.

Granted we can find the fig's green and purple versions in the supermarkets and street carts here, I was never a 'fig' person until now. Figs can be an expensive fruit to invest in. Right now, I find the cheapest deal at a street cart. I got a small basket of 6 little guys for $2. I just needed to buy me some Turkish memory and some sweet indulgence.

The figs sold here are from California and you can learn more about them here.

Turkey Summer Trip Part 2 - Carb Overload

2009-08-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here's an SAT linguistic question for you -

As rice: Chinese, ____:Turkish

a) rice

b) noodle

c) bread

d) potatoes

The answer....C!

Yes. Turkish people eat bread as other Asian population treats rice. Bread is their major source of carbohydrate. Whether it's paired with jam, cheese, or honey for breakfast, or envelope around sliced meat as a sandwich for lunch, or eating with kebaps for dinner, bread is the unanimous starch in every meal. Rice (aka pilaf) is also offered and served in restaurants or mobile food vendors, but the rice is always seasoned with margarine and salt, which is very untypical for other Asian cuisines as plain rice is always, well, just plain (unless it's stir-fried).

I actually had my best bread in a smaller city called Izmir. I think it's because most bread was baked on premise, whereas in Istanbul, the bread is probably produced in a large bakery and delivered to stores and hotels. I try to maintain a healthy diet, but as bad as 'white' bread is, I just couldn't resist the crusty French bread that's comped for every table meal. The bread is rarely toasted (as in the US), but because it's always freshly made, the exterior is always still hard and crusty (the way I like it) and the innard (the doughy section) is soft and fluffy. Since I enjoy the crust more than the inside, I've this pet-peeve of just sabotaging the crust, while leaving the white inside behind in the bread basket.

Pitas are another option, but mostly only at places that create Turkish pizzas. The pitas are much like Afghan bread, which you can buy in Middle Eastern stores here. The crust is usually too charred for me, but I still enjoy the bread, which I'll explain why in the next post. I think I've eaten more bread than I do at home. I do miss rice, especially brown rice, but after awhile, after much walking around, bread is really a great source to replenish lost energy.

What are your favorite ways to dress your bread? Recently, I've been spreading creamy avocado on and before that, it was with semi-frozen yogurt on hot and toasted grainy bread.

Turkey Summer Trip 2009

2009-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Every year, mom and I always embark on an annual oversea trip. Since we rarely spend a lot on entertainment or other opulent indulgence in NYC, we treat ourselves to a deserving 'vaca' since we both like to travel and prefer to spend our disposable income on travelling than on a thousand dollar handbag.

Turkey had always been on my mom's mind for a few years, but something always came up, but we eventually put our feet down and were determined to make this destination come true this year. Lots have been going on, so it was great to get away from it all. I felt so energetic and full of life while I was travelling. My daily walk is equivalent to a month of movement here! Quite sad actually.

This isn't a travel blog, but I still want to point out some great scenic photos and of course, food photos as well. At first, I thought I'd be in meze heaven in Turkey, but actually, it's a more meat-based country, so I had to reply on salads and bread (overload of carbs) on this trip. But if you like meat and cheese, this is the place for you. You meet cheap gyro and cheese sandwiches on every street corner and they're cheap street food! If you're not looking for fancy food, you can definitely fill yourself up quite economically.

I visited Izmir and Istanbul and you could guess that the latter city is very, very touristy, which I didn't enjoy very much. But, still got to visit this major capital city. I loved Izmir because the local people were really down to earth and showed great hospitality. They would even treat you to a cup of cay (Turkish tea) even if you're just a stranger! Very generous people.

I think my initial Turkey entry would be mostly on sceneries. Then I'll gradually introduce some food photos. Don't worry, they're not all salads because my companion does eat meat and desserts, so you will get to see some varieties. Without further adieu, behold the luscious and cultural aspect of this magnificent country that has an amazing history of Christianity and Islam.

Birthday Lunch

2009-07-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Where to go on my birthday? Better yet, where to bring my mom since she's the one who went through intense labor to bring me into this world. Yes, trying to be altruistic here. I wanted to bring her to someplace special, but not too pricey. Somewhere not traditional, yet not too fusion-ish. Somewhere unique, but not too difficult to travel to. Hey, how about that new restaurant invested by this famous actor? So, I made a reservation at Locanda Verde, a recently opened restaurant in Tribeca, NY.

With an Italian-influenced menu, I was surprised there aren't much vegetarian options and the chef declined to make substitutions. Why no love for vegetarians? :( So I had a salad that only had two ingredients (arugla and fresh black figs), but the figs were really fresh and sweet, which paired well with the bitter rocket greens. Unfortunately, my camera's memory card was corrupted, so I couldn't take any picture, but I found this photo of my salad taken by another eater, but just minus the asiago and specks.

But sometimes, dining out is more than the food because it's always nice to be served and cared for. The staff was attentive (perhaps a bit over-attentive) and the atomsphere was rustic yet inviting. What do you look for when you're dining out (besides the good food)?

Black Fungus (Chinese Fungus)

2009-07-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

When we hear "fungus", this innocent plant is often related to something that's grown on one's feet (yes, sounds gross, but admit it, that's the first image that comes into mind), but fungus as an edible product is quite healthy and nutritious! I'm not a big Chinese mushroom person, but I do love me some Chinese fungus, also can be directly translated to cloud ear or wood ear.

Black fungus has a reputation in Chinese herbal medicine for increasing and improving blood circulation and you can purchase it at any Chinese supermarket or dried goods stores.

You need to reconstitute the black fungus before cooking it. Just soak it in some warm water and it'll expand 5-6 times! Like magic! Then what do you do with it? Because it has a very bland or practically no taste, you just slice it up and add it to any stir-fry you desire. I like to add it with some squash, water chestnuts, carrots, and celery. Its quite versatile and very low in calories as well!

Dim Sum

2009-07-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

When it comes to lunch, Chinese often prefer a dim sum restaurant, especially when there's a big group of diners. "Dim sum" literally translates to "a piece of one's heart", meaning the food is presented with love and care. The origin of dim sum (as I've learned from my elementary school teacher, so not sure how authentic the story is) came from the old China. At that time, there was a war going on, but the empress wanted to show her gratitude to the soldiers, so she asked the chef to create small pieces of food to treat them as these delicate concoctions were a special thanks from her heart. And ever since, Chinese people have been enjoying this delicacy and now dim sum has even spread throughout the world, enjoyed by people of different nationalities.

There are savory dim sum and sweet dim sum. When it comes to the sweet kinds, this steamed cake is my default of choice. Moist, eggy, spongy, and not to mention, quite adorable, it's unlike its counterpart of a fried exterior or a dense filling. It's quite light and delicate and a perfect dish to finish off a dim sum experience.

Dragon Ball Tea

2009-07-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Of all the tea out there, if I really, REALLY have to choose one, it'd have to be the dragon ball tea. I still love me some Lipton with lemon (well, that's all they serve on the plane anyway) and genmaicha in Japanese restaurant, but when it comes to comfort tea (like comfort food), nothing beats a cup of hot dragon ball tea. It's usually sold by the bulk in Chinese grocery stores or tea shops and it may seem a little expensive, but a little goes a long way, so don't be afraid to splurge a little. The dormant nestled shape is like a baby in a womb and then each tea ball expands into a long thin stripe of tea once it hits hot water. It's like those "condensed towels" that you've to soak in order to use them. So this tea is like a butterfly that morphs into a different species in a way. Tricky little plant.

Oh, and here are the benefits of green tea.

Do you have a favorite tea as well?

Cultural Event - Thingyan Water Festival

2009-07-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

I love all cultural activities (except for parades), so whenever I have the time during the weekend, I try to attend some cultural festivities not only to educate myself on other traditions and to get some Vitamin D from the sun. Today, I attended the Burmese Water Festival. The Thingyan Water Festival marks the start of the Burmese lunar calendar New Year and they celebrate through declicious foods, dance, and of course, water splashing. I didn't stay long enough for the H2O part, but I did witness some of the good eats. There were many families there, with young children enjoying delicacies from their background. It's always great to know there are still family-oriented events available around town for kids to have fun and learn at the same time. I also love taking portraits and documentary, but I was so afraid my subjects would yell at me for taking their photos, but I needed spontaneous posts. Luckily, the children were too busy slurping the syrupy drink filled with sago and consuming cold rice noodles. I bought a slice of banana cake, Burmese style. For $2, not too shabby.

Dilemma

2009-07-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

I'm often faced with a dilemma in the afternoon -

Part of me wants to take an afternoon nap to rejuvenate a bit until my official bedtime, but another part wants to have a mid-afternoon meal (for some reasons, I get immense cravings even with a substantial lunch).

Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can cause hunger (the need for food to stay awake), that's why it's important to get a good night sleep. But when the cravings come, it's hard to fall asleep.

So what's your choice - nap or food?

Cha-An - A gorgeous teahouse oasis in the midst of NYC

2009-07-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Last year, my good friend wanted to treat me to a beautiful Japanese teahouse as a birthday present. But nature played a trick on me with a thunderstorm, so I never got a chance to try this place until today.

Cha-An is a beautiful Japanese teahouse in Soho, New York. You've to walk up a narrow, wooden staircase in order to enter into this calm, bamboo-decorated room on the second floor of a building. As a teahouse, of course its specialty would be tea. All the teas are brewed from fresh tea leaves, so you know you're getting the real deal. Additionally, there's a dessert chef in the house and it's also famous for its Japanese-Western fusion desserts, such as black sesame brulee, early grey mochi, and chocolate roll cake, which was what we had today.

The roll cake is the special of the day and it was so beautifully plated and mastered. Not too sweet and a great balance of cream and cake. The portion is just perfect - you get to indulge in something sweet without giving you an over the top fullness.

But the top reason I love this place because it makes me feel like I'm back in Japan again. The serenity of the atmosphere, the great customer service, and the wooden furniture all give me an escape from the busting city life. The menu items aren't cheap per se, but whenever I need some 'me' time or want to have a nice conversation with a friend, I'll definitely return again.

Stress Management

2009-07-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

In addition to diet, our mental health is just as important. Being under stress not only can affect your diet (overly hungry or lost of appetite), but can also promote diseases and create tension between you and the people around you.

Stress can be a good thing too because it keeps us in a fight-or-flight mode in case of emergency and we tend to produce better results when we work under pressure. But like anything, too much is not healthy. Our mind is like a rubber band. If you stretch it too much, it will eventually snap.

We stress about many different things; but lately, it's probably related to work, finance, or school. Recently, I have been undergoing some major stress issues, so I am trying hard to create a balance in life. Some would advice exercising, breathing activities, taking a vacation, or hanging out with friends.

How do you de-stress and would you care to teach me a few tricks? :)

Your Go-To Cookies

2009-06-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Whenever I'm pressed for time to bake some goodies for my friends or an event, my 'go-to' choices are banana bread, pumpkin pie, and molasses cookies. I didn't have any ripe bananas on hand this time and pumpkin pie just screams 'Halloween' and 'autumn' to me, so my final decision rested on the molasses cookies.

I feel bad for molasses cookies because they are often over-shadowed by the ubiquitous chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, or peanut butter cookies. I guess molasses is an acquired taste, but if you like ginger and spices, then you should definitely give it a try! Mine came out soft and chewy (thanks to the brown sugar and butter). Although it's not as visually appealing as your chunky chocolate disks; still, don't underestimate this underdog. Give it a chance!

What's your 'go-to' cookie in a hurry?

The High Line Park, New York, NY

2009-06-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

This isn't a food-related post, but I was so proud of myself for visiting this 'new' park and finally got my shutter bug activated again, I just wanted to share some photos with y'all.

According to the website, the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated, steel structure built in the 1930s to carry freight trains. It currently runs from Gansevoort Street, in the Meatpacking District, through the West Chelsea gallery neighborhood, ending at 34th Street, next to the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The last train ran on it in 1980.

So what makes it so special that many are raving about it? Well, that's because it's just so much fun to have an elevator greenery in the middle of Manhattan and not to mention that right under the track is an array of high end restaurants and warehouses and factories that have been converted to art galleries, design studios, offices, retailers, museums, and residences.

While it can't be compared to Central Park and I find it an oxymoron to grow flowers between the cracks of debilitated rail tracks, somehow, I could still seek out serenity in this park. Yes, I do see myself going back real soon. It's nice to escape from the city in such proximity.

Let me know if you'd like to see more photos. :)

Homemade granola

2009-06-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Walking down the cereal aisle in a supermarket, you'd be confronted with an array of cereal boxes and different flavors of granola. Vanilla, chocolate, or cinnamon is just some of the choices out there. But as I'm becoming more conscious about the ingredients, I'm starting to react to the excessive among of 'additions' manufacturers add to the the supposedly harmless oats. Canola oil? Sugar? Salt? Tons of sweetened dried fruits and chocolate bits? That's nice downing a dessert, not a healthful grain. So, I like to make my own version of granola and it doesn't take long at all! Heck, I even burnt mine because I left it in the toaster oven for too long.

I keep the ingredients and process really simple and of course, you can add in any items you like as well! I mainly use old-fashioned oats (of course), wheat flakes, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and sliced almonds. Then I add in a teaspoon of olive oil, a tablespoon of maple syrup, a dash of cinnamon and a sprinkle of brown sugar and bake for about 10 minutes at 350 F and remember to check on it and mix it around so everything is nice and toasty. Then coconut shreds and some dried cranberries are tossed in at the end. And Viola! Add some yogurt, milk, or almond milk and you got yourself a really delicious, guilt-free breakfast, snack, or even dinner! Enjoy!

Avocado - our friend or foe?

2009-06-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

It's time to do avocado some justice. First of all, avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable. 75% of the calories comes from fat, 19% from carbohydrates and the rest from protein. Some people might scream when they here that so much fat is involved, but it's the 'good' fat. The monounsatuated fat, which lowers cholesterol. Avocado also contains more than 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, which helps to prevent chronic diseases. Studies have shown that a little fat can help to absorb other nutrients, so a little goes a long way.

Now why does avocado get such bad rep? Because it's 'fatty'? But it's much better than the satuated fat from your diner burger or the greasy fries. A fifth of a medium-sized avocado has about 50 calories, where as a small pat of butter has about 100 calories already and let's not forget the nutritions that are being offered by this fruit.

Before, I may shun from anything that links with 'fat', like olive oil, avocado, or nuts/seeds. But now, I embraced them because I realized that a little goes a long way. I actually find my appetite lasts a bit longer when my dish includes a little fat in it. I often like to end a meal with a few almonds to satiate my hunger or throw in a few beans as well.

There are so many culinary ways to use avocado, such as a spread on your sandwich, guacamole (of course), topping on soups or even an avocado shake! I've even heard of an avocado face mask! That I need to try out someday. But for now, I crave the green creaminess from this amazing fruit. I love to 'massage' it into my salads instead of using salad dressing. Even in the restaurant, I ask to sub avocado for the cheese too. Unfortunately, my dining companions still have evil connotation of my avocado, but who cares, I know it's good for me as long as I don't over do it (as for all types of food).

It's time to recognize the health benefits and the deliciousness of this forgotten fruit - avocado.

How do you use your avocado?

Summer Food

2009-06-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Now that the temperature is finally creeping up by the single digit, our appetite also may fluctuates along with the temperature as well. It's common that we crave for hearty and heavy dishes during the winter, but a fresh, crisp salad during the summer. Heat often suppresses my appetite, so I always crave for cold and juicy food, like a slice of watermelon or a big, bowl of refreshing salad. Call me crazy, but a new wierd addiction of mine is frozen brussel sprouts. Hey, if it's ok to snack on frozen grapes, why not vegetables as well? Try it! It doesn't even taste like that funky, overcooked brussel sprout flavor! But of course, semi defroze it, otherwise you might break your teeth. :)

What are some of your favorite summer food that you're forward to?

Organic dairy farmers needs your help

2009-05-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

This New York Times article informed that organic dairy farmers haven't been fairing very well lately. This is in part due to rising organic feed prices, falling milk prices, too much organic milk in the marketplace, which leads to lower demands. Organic milk comes from organic cows that have not been treated with antibiotics and synthetic hormones, so it doesn't contribute to the growing problem of bacterial resistance. Also, from a ethical point of view, organic cows are free to roam the greens, rather than cooped up behind bars.

However, there have been debates on the benefits and necessity of cow's milk. Many have gradually switched to soy milk, rice milk, or other nut milk. We are also the only species who still consume mammal milk beyond childhood. And how about all these propaganda with the "Got Milk?" ads? I personally tried to wean myself off from milk, but it's really difficult for me because I enjoy my daily cereal with milk and my share of yogurt. Though I do feel a bit bloated sometimes when I've too much dairy. What's your opinion on this topic?

Party Dessert

2009-05-26T18:11:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow my workplace is having a company party to celebrate several special events and happenings all in one. Someone got married, travelled abroad, engaged and graduation. But it's important to take a break from work and have the opportunity to drink some champagne and chat with your colleagues 'officially'.

Volunteers were asked to bring in some treats and goodies. I for one enjoy baking, but I realized I still have some pudding mix and a pie crust on hand, so I decided to be lazy and made a no baked chocolate pudding pie. After layering the pudding into the crust, it just looked kind of bare, so I decided to sprinkle some rice puff cereal on top to make it brighter and more appealing.

It's not an elaborated project, but it's something simple and easy to put together as an impromptu contribution.

A tribute to the man who gave me Dannon yogurt

2009-05-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

Before the Greek yogurt craze, our source of dairy calcium (besides milk and cheese) was mostly from yogurt and Dannon yogurt was the most widely consumed brand in the US. Now, the founder of this versatile food has passed away recently and I wanted to pay him a tribute on this Memorial Day (even though it's not military related).

Read this article to learn more about the spoonful of yogurt you may put into your mouth. When I'm on a budget and can't splurge on another tub of Greek yogurt, my default would be Dannon since it doesn't use any HFCS. I also love the variety of flavors it offers and my all time favorites are black cherry, key lime, and french vanilla and the recently newbies pineapple coconut and pomegranate berry. What's your favorite yogurt flavors?

Are you listening?

2009-05-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

How often do you dine out? Daily? Weekly? Once in a blue moon? What pleasure do you get from dining out? The bold flavor? An excuse to consume alcohol? Not doing the dishes? For me, it's the opportunity for others to serve me and be pampered. I think this is a personal treat that we often overlook. While we're often busy 'serving' others, whether it is a mother who cooks breakfast for the entire family plus getting ready for her full time job, a social worker who worries about a client's problem during the off-hour, or of course, a waitstaff who attends to a customer's dining needs, we sometimes forget that WE deserved to be served too.

I usually order my 'usual' in a restaurant - a clearcut macro plate. This frustrates my dining companions because they think I'm boring and why go out when I can make the same thing at home. Yes, I am tempted to select the world-renowned surf and turf at a steakhouse (that is if I eat meat, but I don't) or cave into a decadent slice of new york cheesecake (though I've lost my sweet tooth), but for me, the main purpose of dining out is to be pampered. I enjoy the moments a waiter poured me a glass of water instead of me getting up and grab a pitcher from my kitchen. I love the details of someone clearing my used plates and scrapping the crumbs and remnants off the table. I also use this as an opportunity to step away from technologies (except for the cell phone) and totally engage into a conversation with my dining companions or just submerge within myself during a solo meal.

Yes, a salad is nothing extraordinarily special. As much as I adore a home cooked meal, it is important to treat yourself to a meal because you deserve the attention and you deserve the absence of workload after your meal.

Summer is almost here!

2009-05-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

My goodness...I thought warmth would never reach NYC. While mother nature has been tricking us with a roller coaster-liked temperature pattern, I'm glad this week is finally warming up. How do we equal summer with health? Dieting! Now, there are probably more people ordering salads for lunch than good old "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" meal. The number of gym-goers and Central Park joggers will also increase, which is good because we all need some fresh air and build our muscles and stamina. I buy the idea of exercising, but when it comes to resorting to a few leaves of lettuces as a meal to shed a few pounds, that's just doing more damages to the body. Studies have shown that the body goes into starvation mode when a person eats less than the minimum number of calories needed for body functions, so by dipping to a low number would only sabotage one's diet and health, resulting to binging or creating other illnesses.

As always, moderation is key. Perhaps some people do get better results from certain diet plans (ex: Atkins, South Beach, or pre-packed meal plans), but when it comes to funky diets, I believe it's a poor short-cut to reach a number goal.

Diet is a lifestyle, not a phase. So don't follow a plan that you don't believe you can live with. Choose a lifestyle that fits your needs and treat your body with respect and love.

What are your plans to stay fit and healthy?

Love and Hate - In The Name Of Brunch

2009-05-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

You can say 'brunch' is a very "American" dining feature. What is it anyway? Is it a meal meant for people who slept in and passed the 'breakfast hour', but still too early for lunch? But then what's the point of creating a brunch hour between 11-4pm? Perhaps brunch is an early dinner if I were to take advantage of the brunch menu at 3:59pm?

New York is known for its brunch scenery. During the weekend, diners lazied around a restaurant with friends and families to catch up on the latest gossips and news or just as an excuse to extend more drinking from previous night. AYCD deal anyone?

Nevertheless, there's a love and hate feeling toward the idea of brunch. Some people don't like it because there's a long wait. When you've just waken and haven't eaten, a half an hour wait could seem like an eternity. Also, the brunch scene could be so chaotic that the kitchen, waitstaff, management and even the diners are all stressed out. Another issue is that the brunch menu is often limited to eggs and other carb-loaded dishes such as pancakes, waffles, and french toasts. Lunch menu is rarely served during the weekend.

For someone like me who don't eat eggs and shy from sweet and carb heavy meals during lunch time (I prefer to load up on carbs for breakfast instead), the brunch selections never satisfy me. I often have to resort to a small selection of salads, which again, are rarely vegetarian-friendly. But I can ask the kitchen to make changes, right? Well, I've tried, but since some places are just too busy, substitutions aren't honored. So how to satiate my appetite on a merely pile of greens? Well, I don't. I often need another snack an hour after my brunch, whereas my dining companion is still bloated from an obscene consumption of bacons and eggs.

That's why I would rather dine at a restaurant that serve lunch menu. Not only are there more creative dishes (and not just eggs, eggs, eggs), but you can truly experience the personality of the restaurant. However, I still like the brunch scene because I love to see diners eating and laughing, businesses doing well, and to enjoy a weekend without me cooking and cleaning. Eating out isn't only about the food (although that's a priority), but it's also the atmosphere and experience. I just have to arm myself with a piece of string cheese.

Your Source of Protein

2009-05-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

As a semi-vegetarian (I still get occasional cravings for salmon), I'm always being questioned on if I'm getting enough protein in my diet. I never believed the concept that meat is the only source of protein, as studies that have proven that not only we overestimate the amount of protein we need daily, but we can get sufficient amount of protein from plant-based foods as well. Some great representatives include: dark greens, beans, soy, nuts, and quinoa.

Do you have a protein base that you mostly rely on daily? Luckily, I love beans (particularly chickpeas and black beans) and I can munch on them like snacks!

Pineapple cake

2009-05-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

It's my best friend's birthday, so what should I get her? What should I buy for her? Today, when we think of presents, we often resort to what to 'buy'. Oh, let's get an iPhone for her birthday or let's just treat her to brunch and the worst (in my opinion)? The extremely impersonal gift card. It's almost as thoughtless as cash, but a step up because at least it takes efforts to purchase the gift card.

I prefer to create things for special occasions. Not because I'm cheap (although I'm on a budget) or I've nothing better to do, but I find joy in making things, especially with baking. When I was little, I used to make cute, little stationery gadgets for my elementary school teachers. Thought they could make good use of them. I also enjoyed knitting friendship bracelets for my BFFs. You remember those jewelries, right? However, I was never into folding roses. Too 'typical' you may say.

So for my best friend's birthday, as always, I made her baked goods. Previously, I've done banana bread (one of her all-time favorites), molasses cookies (quite easy to make!), and pumpkin pie. This time, I've got canned pineapple in hand, so I thought I could give pineapple cake a try.

Not too difficult to make. Just got to make the batter, pour it with the fruits and then bake it. This one isn't hers. The one I gave her is actually more presentable. This one is for my mom. No, not Mother's Day present, since I'll be treating her to brunch. Hey! I always make her things, so I'm not eating my words. :)

Enjoy your weekend everyone. Finally, some sun!

Nature's Candies

2009-05-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

What's your favorite candy? Mine? That wold be nature's candies - fruits.

Yes, I never thought of fruits adn a sugary addiction, but ever since I weaned myself away from HFCS-invested candies, my cravings for Now & Later, M & M or Skittles also got banished. Now, when I'm craving for something sweet and tart, I grab a piece of fruit, but my very very favorite would have to be apple. Why? I love...

*texture - crisp, crunchy, and a bite to it

*taste: sweet, moist, and tart

*nutritious

*fulfilling

There are so many variety of apples, but I prefer Red Delicious and Fuji, but when it comes to cooking with this amazing fruits, different type yield better results. For example:

Red Delicious: salad

Granny Smith: baking pie, sauce

Braeburn: baking

Honeycrisp: baking

And of course, apples are great by themselves. So munch or crunch away!

"How do you like them apple?"

Check out this great website for more apple information.

A Must each day

2009-05-02T14:29:00.001-07:00

Besides the usual suspects of water and air, what's one food and one task you tend to repeat day after day? I just realized what a routine I've been carrying recently and no matter what happens, I'd get a craving for a specific food at a certain time on any given day (4:01pm) or had to complete a certain task before the day ends (for me, that's 10:30pm).

I get an 'almond' craving in the late afternoon. I may be full, but without this nutty goodness, I'm just not satisfied. Also, I HAVE to check my blog...even though nobody comments on my posts. @_@

What are your MUSTs of each day?

Organic Shopping List

2009-05-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

With all the recent bacteria outbreak and now the ominous H1N1 (aka swine flu) scare, you can't help it but wonder what should we put into our mouth nowadays. Recent studies have shown that some produce items are more subjected to pesticide contamination than others. These 'dirty' produces are actually some of my favorite food in the whole wide world, so knowing that I shouldn't be eating them just really saddens me. However, by going organic, you can avoid the germs and chemical residues and safely consume the fruit of the looms. But I understand that not everyone can afford to buy organics items, but if possible, do buy these organic because really, if we literally see the germs on the skin of these produces, that would surely convince us to splurge a little to keep our health.

Fruits: Peaches Vegetables: Celery

Apples Lettuce

Nectarines Spinach

Strawberries Pepper

Nectarines Potatoes

Check out http://www.foodnews.org/ for a complete report.

Are You An Adventurous Eater?

2009-04-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the food you put into your mouth, are you game for anything? This question can be applied to different scenarios, such as your willingness to experiment other ethnic food, to taste a different flavor, or to brave the fusion world.

However, does your adventures disappoint you at times that you eventually crawl back to your good ol' place and beg for forgiveness?

I used to be an adventurous eater, whether it's a trip for Indian, French, or Africa, I was game. I loved to discover and try out new restaurants, especially those hold in the wall joints. Well, it was also much easier when I was an omnivore. Now, I realized a lot of places disappoint me - price/quality/service wised. Sometimes the size and quality of a dish doesn't justify its price or the flavor is really off. Furthermore, bad service can really ruin an appetite and a good dining experience. Now of course I don't expect 5 star service at a take-out place, but respect and courtesy are keys to build a regular customer basis and I've been to cheap sandwich shops with wonderful staff who are always kind enough to accommodate my gastric needs.

It's great to leave one's comfort zone, but at times, going back to the ol' place that's guaranteed good food and service just makes life so much easier. I agree with the expression that more choices means more complication. What's your take? And is there any cuisine you're hoping to try but maybe too afraid to?

My Favorite Part...of a Loaf of Bread

2009-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

We generally like things that come in a package, but thanks to human nature, favortism drives us to single out certain things. Case in point. You may love your significant other's particular sense of humor, wealth, or just the bright smile. At your home, you may feel the most comfortable in the kitchen where you can carry out a culinary therapy session.

Now that we're talking about food, well, a 'food' has its own personality as well. Whether it's crunchy, sweet, savory, mushy, hard, smooth...the descriptions can go on and on. Food critics like to 'dissect' flavors and texture and I like to 'physically' dissect my bread. Now I'm not going to do a surgery, but there are certain elements of the bread that I prefer. Some people like the doughy, soft innard, while others favor the ends. I love the ends too, but I particular love the crust. I always look for a hard exterior so I can 'skin' the crust and leave the soft portion for my family. It's a selfish deed. :)

So what's your favorite part of the bread and what kind of bread do you buy/bake/like?

Organic Hemp Clothings

2009-04-19T13:17:00.001-07:00

This is non-food related writing.

I know we hear a lot of the benefits of hemp seeds, but aside from eating organic, people are starting to pay more attention to going organic with their clothings.

Today, I was at the Go Green Expo NY. It was really cool. Lots of exhibitors were there to promote their go green products and services. Many samples were given, such as organic chocolate (!), organic drinks, organic vitamins, enviromental organization messages were provided...the word of choice is...ORGANIC.

I stopped by one booth that featured a shop that sells organic clothings. I couldn't afford the more expensive items, but I did spot the $10 piles and got a deal on a half hemp/half organic cotton T-shirt. I've never bought a hemp shirt before because it's always very expensive, so I'm glad I got this special deal.

So what IS hemp when it's tied in with the clothes you wear? Well, here's a little background...

Hemp is an extraordinary fiber because:

- It is lightweight, absorbant and, with three times the tensile strength of cotton, strong and longlasting.
- It is UV and mold-resistant.
- I can be blended with other fibers, such as cotton and silk, so it is very compliable.
- it is less expensive to farm because of its minimal growth requirements.

And last, but not the least...

Hemp farming uses very little water and requires almost no pesticide, so it's good for the environment, which benefits us in the long run.

So? Have you gotten your hemp shirt today?

Different forms of carbohydrates

2009-04-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

We often have a fear for carbohydrates because of the notion that they will make us gave weight. But carbohydrates are an important source of fuel for our body, especially for an active person. I don't want to concentrate on the technical side of this crucial food group, but carbohydrates are organic compounds that provide energy for our body. What's important to know is that we should eat complex carbs, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Limit consumption of white flour and other processed baked goods.

Here's a quite stat of some useful information about carbohydrates that might come in handy in the next trivial pursuit:

- One gram of carbohydrate provides four calories of energy.
- Our maximal carbohydrate storage is approximately 15 grams per kilogram of body weight or 15 grams per 2.2 pounds.
- Simple carbohydrates are found in fruits and dairy products.
- Complext carbohydrates take longer for the body to digest and include grain, legumes, and cereal.

Don't fear carbohydrates beacuse they are essential for the functioning of our body.

What's your favorite source of carboydrates? I don't think I can live without a slice of whole grain bread. :)

Chickpeas...chickpeas...

2009-04-04T16:03:00.001-07:00

Like we often shorten or alter our first name to fit it into our personality, like calling someone Trish instead of Patricia or Joe instead of Joseph. The former name is more approachable, whereas the latter is more formal and 'serious' shall I say? So that's how I feel when I speak of chickpeas. Their other name is garbanzo beans and that just sounds just...'beany', but chickpeas...it's like, awww...what a cute name! Surprised to know that this amazing bean packs a bunch of nutrients!

Chickpeas (yes, I prefer to use their cutie name instead) are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, which prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making them a good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. Chickpeas hey are great at lowering cholesterol too! When combined with whole grains such as rice, garbanzos provide virtually fat-free high quality protein.

How do you use your chickpeas? Well, you can:

- Purée them along with olive oil, fresh garlic, tahini and lemon juice to make a quick and easy hummus spread.
- Sprinkle them to your favorite salads for added protein.
- Stir in some into your pasta dish.

- Simmer them in a sauce like dal.

- Add them to a vegetable soup to make it even heartier!

I've mentioned that I looove hummus; unfortunately, I have to face the fact that it was a phase that has passed. Now, I just love to soak dried chickpeas and when they're cooked, I'd just pop them like popcorn! What a wierd habit of mine! If this style is too bland for you, you can sprinkle some fresh herb and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an extra kick.

Pita Pita!

2009-03-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

I go through carb phases.

There was a time I was obssessed with shredded wheats. (I still do, but not as intense).

Then my continuing afternoon cravings for museli (san dried fruits).

Now? Whole wheat pitas! I just got some freshly baked one from a local bakeries and man. 6 for only $0.75! It was soft, pillowy, chewy and just pure bliss. I even snacked on one while I was in a restaurant!

What do you like to put inside or on top of your pitas? My all time favorites are yogurt (yea, I'm wierd), hummus (of course), tomato and cheese (like a pita pizza) or toasted with some PB.

My Favorite GREEN Vegetable

2009-03-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

When it comes to vegetables, I love them all across the rainbow. Whether it's the bright yellow zucchini, the royal purple eggplant, the snow white jicama, or the "aren't u" orange pepper (yes, I'm cheesy like that, hee), I just love them all. But for one of my top TOP three favorite vegetables, that would have to be the Chinese broccoli, also called 'kai lan'.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai-lan

I love anything with a crunch and a bite to it (like wheatberries rather than mealy instant oatmeal or just blanched broccoli and not mushy spinach). If you see the sturdy stalks of the kai lan, you would know what I mean. I would 'steal' all the stalks and leave my guests (aka my mom) with the green leaves. She always complains, but I couldn't help myself.

I love it when my mom stirfry it with some olive oil and fresh garlic. Simple and easy. That's the best.

Mastered a Vegan Muffin!

2009-03-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

I've done it! I've got down a vegan recipe for my banana muffin! It's really healthful because there are only 'basic' ingredients - whole wheat flour, oats, mashed bananas, applesauce, shaved coconut, and pumpkin seeds for texture. It's so good especially when just baked and crumbled over some Greek yogurt!

Jamba Juice Oatmeal Special!

2009-03-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

In times of a recession, many businesses (especially food-related) are offering great discounts. I know a lot of bloggers are oatmeal fans, so when you're on the run and there's a Jamba Juice nearby, go grab an oatmeal...for just $1! Yep! Print this coupon out. But like the coupon said, it's only offered at stores that serve oatmeal. Good luck and enjoy!

http://www.oatmealforabuck.com/

Yogurt obsession

2009-02-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

Do you ever go through a phase with a certain food? During the summer, I craved some cruncy bean sprouts everyday. I can pop them like pills! Not a bad habit to have since it's not candy. :P Then in the wintertime, I craved for starchy food, like steamed sweet potatoes and microwaved corn. But recently, I've been OBSSESSED with yogurt mixed with museli. After reading others' recipes of pumpkin oatmeal, I'm really curious to find out what would it taste like if I mix pumpkin with Greek yogurt topped with some grains. The verdict? IT'S AWESOME! I don't think I can 'stomach' a big bowl of pumpkin oats in the morning (maybe it's too dense for me so early), but as an afternoon snack, mixing plain yogurt with some pumpkin is a healthful meal. Heck, I even have it for lunch!

For this photo, I topped it off with some wheat berries. I looooove the nuttiness of wheat berries. I'm also experimenting with cooked barley. Barley gets a little mushy when cooked, so it's great for stews and soups. I actually mixed barley with some diced avocado, bean sprouts and some tomatoes for lunch today, but forgot to take a pic. :( I'm sure there'll be a next time.

Pressure cooker is da bomb! You can cook so many variety of grains and beans with it without resorting to the expensive already-prepared products. A little goes a loooong way.

What kind of food obssession have you had?

In the Mood for Baking

2009-02-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon. I'm bored. Procrastinating mainly. Just got myself a can of pumpkin, so I decided to bake a vegan pumpkin pie/bread. I like to 'spread' it out because I like crispy top. I kept this really 'healthy' meaning I used applesauce instead of oil and no sugar. But I really enjoy the pure sweetness from the puree pumpkin. Besides, I plan to toast this up tomorrow and crumble it over some Greek yogurt. Sounds delicious? :)

Intuitive Eating

2009-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

Aren't there days when you're just not hungry at all and then days when no matter what you consume, your stomach still has some 'extra' room? I guess everyone has their own 'hunger' clock. For example, my old college roomie was never hungry for breakfast, so she always skipped it and ran right off to class. Whereas for me, I can't start my day without 'something' in my stomach, even if it's just a glass of orange juice. I also find that my 'metabolic' fire flares up the most mid-afternoon. I wouldn't feel hungry at all at noon and then all of sudden. BAM! I need to grab something. Luckily, I crave for healthy foods, but I tend to favor carbs like bread and fruits. I used to survive on a salad for lunch, but I realized I need a balance between protein, carbs, and fats to hold me over for a longer period of time.

Then are days when I just can't sleep. Would you roll around in bed? Get up and watch TV? Or walk over to the fridge and have a snack? That was my "Sophie's Choice" last night. I couldn't sleep because my neighbor was being really loud :( I was so frustrated. The stress level caused me not to be able to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. I automatically got up and went to the kitchen and brought back something to my room. But then I stopped. I listened to myself. Did I want to eat because I was bored and stressed or because I was truly hungry? My answer was...I just needed something to reduce my stress. Good answer. That means I wasn't really hungry, so why force something or I don't even need it? So, I relaxed my arms, my legs, and my heart and slowly drifted to dreamland (although I didn't wake up early). I was proud of myself. Normally, I would just munch away, but I listened to what my body really wanted and it was sleep, not food. Studies after studies have shown that stress and lack of sleep causes food craving and I've experienced this. So sometimes when I feel 'munchy' I ask myself, do I need to nap or eat? And usually, I'm just tired and needed to sleep a bit.

So start to listen to your body and not your brain sometimes. If you're tired, just take a quick nap. 15 minutes does wonders I tell you! If you're hungry, fine. Are you hungry enough to eat an apple? If your answer is yes, that's great. Your body needs fuel so have a healthy snack. But if you're answer is no, then you probably needed food to 'keep' yourself awake.

Intuitive thing and eating coexist. It's a difficult process that I'm slowly trying to get used to. But it's something that will create good physical and psychological health.

Cheers~

Cooking with Anne: Homemade Hummus and Wheat Pita

2009-02-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

I know we all know how to make homemade hummus, but how about pairing it with some homemade whole wheat pita as well? Found this cool blog that gives you such instructions.
Cooking with Anne: Homemade Hummus and Wheat Pita

My Secret V-Day Cupid Has Arrived!

2009-02-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

Look what Jemima from How I Mash Potato sent me all the way from the UK - I love the stationery sets as well as all the health bars! How did you now I need some munchies for

my evening classes? :) Thanks Jemima! Oh, have fun on your trip! Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day EVERYONE! VDay isn't just for lovers, but it's a day to celebrate your love and care for your family and friends as well - Share the love around, don't we all need some in this time right now.

Here's my 'attempted' whole wheat pumpkin 'bread'

2009-02-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not so bad. It's more pudding like than I would've wanted, but I still liked it and finished it all! I would toast it up like bread for the crunch factor plus drizzle some honey on top. Yum!

Have you had any cooking/baking catastrophes?

Should I post a not so good attempt?

2009-02-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

I tried to bake a vegan whole wheat pumpkin bread, but it was undercooked and turned into a pudding instead. I'll post my pumpkin pudding soon. It's actually not so bad, just not too uniformed. I guess live and learn...

Quaker True Delights - FREE GIVEAWAY!

2009-02-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

For those of you (like me :P) who loves to receive freebies, here's your chance! Quaker is giving away a free True Delights granola bar when you sign up on their website - http://www.quakertruedelights.com/

And for those who love them already, here's a website for you to download a $1 off coupon!

http://www.quakeroats.com/products/oat-snacks/true-delights/dark-chocolate-raspberry-almond.aspx#Offers

And for those who watches Top Chef, Quaker is sponsoring a cookoff contest! Come up with an original recipe that involves Quaker's oatmeal (of course) and you'll get a chance to win a big prize!

Check this website for more info: http://quickfire.bravotv.com/quickfire/index.php

The Versatile Oatmeal

2009-02-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Oh...oatmeal, how we all (well, most of the bloggers) adore you. I see you in almost every breakfast choices of the blogs I read. You can be paired up with so many sides - pumpkin, cinnamon, chocolate, berries, yogurt...you're so versatile, you're omnipotent!

I was reading Health magazine and it featured, you guessed it, oatmeal. Besides eating oatmeal, it also has other external usages as well! Did you know that we can make an inexpensive, yet effective facial mask by mixing 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of hot water and 1/4 cup of honey? Blend these ingredients together and apply the mixture on your face for 10 minutes and rinse. Oats' saponins cleanses and exfoliates your skin. Just don't eat off from your face. :)

lentil tofu broccoli stew for lunch

2009-01-30T14:42:00.001-08:00

I had a bit of time in the afternoon and I knew I was going to have yogurt for dinner (fast and painless). Since there's some left over lentil in my fridge, I decided to make a lentil, tofu, and broccoli stew. In this concoction, I also added some cayenne pepper for a nice spicy kick, black pepper, garlic, some scallions and riped cilantro and carrots. Then to really pump up the protein content, I also added some chickpeas, which I soaked from scratch! =) Anyway, you tell me if this looks appetiting or not, but it tasted good!

Creative webpage for individualized vegetarian meatloaf

2009-01-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

I can get pretty lazy when it comes to cooking sometimes. When you're tired, you just want to make something simple and easy (aka yogurt with museli for moi). I had a chance to eat a vegan meatloaf at a hippy vegetarian restaraunt last month and I felt in love with the idea of a meatless 'meatloaf'. I wanted to omit eggs and breadcrumbs, instead, wished to incorporate whole grains and beans instead. I was researching on the Internet and came across this amazing webpage where you select the ingredients you want in your meatloaf and it comes out with all the measurement for you! Granted that this 'personalized' recipe has never been tested before, but having a blueprint to design your own recipe is pretty cool to me and I can experiment with it anyway I want! So check it out. I might try to make one this weekend and will post if I do. :) But here's a picture for you feast on for now.

Let me know if you decided to make one too!

http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html

Wheatberries

2009-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been obsessed with wheatberries. Ever since I found the miracle of a pressure cooker, I can make whatever grains I like without watching the stove 24/7. Now, I can use raw beans instead of canned beans, whole grains instead of instant kinds and make fresh congee (rice porridge)! I love to add wheatberries into my steel-cut oatmeal. I love the nuttiness and the bite to them. I like to avoid a creamy oatmeal and prefer a chewier one. Yes, I like to chew my meal, so no mushy food for me. :) Definitely give wheatberries a try. They keep the oatmeal interesting and you can throw some in your salad, chili, or yogurt to round out your basic food groups!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1/4 cup (46 g)
Nutrient Amount %DV
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 5 Total Fat 1 g 1% Sodium 0 mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 35 g 12% Dietary Fiber 6 g 23% Protein 5 g Iron 10%
Basic cooking instructions: Add 1 cup grain to 3 cups boiling water. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for approximately 2 hours (50-60 minutes if presoaked).

Happy Lunar New Year

2009-01-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Lunar New Year everyone! It's tomorrow (Monday) according to the lunar calendar and it's going to be the year of the ox. I'm excited because I'll be driving to a Buddhist temple with my mom to celebrate this special day. I'm sure it's going to be packed with worshippers, but it's all about the festivity, right?

Check out this website to discover YOUR zodiac sign and see what your luck and aspirations will be this year. :)

http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/zodiacs.htm

The Power of Herbs

2009-01-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Herbs - any part of a plant used for culinary, medicinal, or spiritual usage. But here, like talk about the culinary usage. Walking down the supermarket aisle or at your local greenmarket, there are so many varieties of herbs - basil, rosemary, cliantro, mint, sage...Some are bitter, sweet, or tart. We can use herbs for marinating food to bring out natural flavors (calorie free!) and they also have nutritional values that are often overlooked. Depending on the herb, some should be added towards the end of the cooking process (like basil) because they wilt quite quickly, whereas others should be added early, such as woodsy herbs like rosemary. My favorite herb is cliantro, which can be found in many Asian cooking. What's yours? :)

Afternoon munchies

2009-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Eeek! Even with eating a substantial lunch, I always get the mid-afternoon munchies. I try not to overdo it and I try to incorporate protein (for sustaining power), carb (sense of filling) and veggies (fiber) together. Do you succumb to your afternoon munchies (if you have one) or do other things/activities to distract yourself?

Breakfast and Lunch Coupons

2009-01-23T16:15:00.000-08:00

I live up to my words. Using coupons is a wonderful way to save some money (especially for struggling students like me :P). So...I've scanned through my coupon organizer (yes, I do keep a small envelope for my paper money) and came up with two sets of coupon that I would like to send out to my fellow bloggers. One I called the "breakfast coupon set". This includes: 55 cents off any Barbara's cereals; $1 off any 2 Living Harvest Hempmilks, $1 off any ten Dannon single serve cups and $1 off any 2 POST cereals. The other is the "lunch coupon set". This includes: THREE 35 cents off any Tribe's Hummus; 75 cents off any Earthbound farm salad and $1 off any 2 Earthbound farm products.

All you have to do is leave a comment as to which set and why you need these coupons (remember, I don't require any S&H :P) and if you have a blog, just mention this little gift giving. Just trying to pay it forward and hope others would have better use of these coupons. :)

Recession-proof eating

2009-01-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

No doubt we're in the middle of a recession, so disposable expenses are limited. Some people may cutback on clothing spending, others on their daily lattes, driving less, but the worst thought is to rely a diet on fast food. NO! Don't do it! Despite a tight budget and not being able to dine out frequently (which isn't always healthy anyway), do take some time to figure out a plan to spend less yet still keep a healthy diet. Here are some of my ideas. Please feel free to suggest yours as well!

1) BUY IN BULK

Beans are cheap, pack with proteins and very filling. I used to reply a lot on canned beans, but I've a pressure cooker, so why not buy the dried beans and make my own dishes? Besides, making them from scratch has a better texture and flavor. So instead of buying canned beans, go to a local store and buy in bulk and stretch out the dollar value.

2) USE COUPONS

Don't be ashamed to use coupon in the supermarket. Very cents add up. Clip them when you find the products you wish to purchase and store the coupon in a neat envelope or an organizer. So the next time you go grocery shopping, just bring it along so you can use the coupons!

3) FORGO THE CAFFEINE

No, you don't HAVE to give up caffeine all together, just don't buy your daily coffee from a gourmet cafe everyday. Instead, buy an insulated mug and make your own coffee at home and bring it along with you on your daily commute to work or school. Hypothetically, a cup of fancy coffee costs $3, so 5 weekdays would be $15 and a month would be $60!

4) DON'T FORSAKEN ORGANIC

A little goes a long way. It's still important to buy organic foods, just pick and choose. There are some fruits that don't 'need' to be organic, such as bananas and oranges. But for fruits and vegetarians that are often consumed with the skin on, it's worth it to buy the organic version. It's your health, so it's a good investment.

5) EXERCISE

Walking is considered a form of exercise. You don't need an expensive gym membership to stay in shape. There are lots of other inexpensive ways, such as taking the stairs, carrying your groceries in the supermarket, window shopping (YES!), playing with your kids or small cousins, or doing the hoop-la-loop while watching your favorite TV shows. Oh! Recently, a lot of bloggers have been recommending to download some free yoga moves, so that's good too! Remember, workout doesn't always have to be intense. Every little bit helps.

6) COOK AT HOME

Yea, I get too tired to cook every night, but if you make a whole batch on the weekend, you can freeze some for the rest of the week. Some common meals that are freezeable are lasagna, sauces, bread, fruits, rice (don't freeze too long though), beans (cooked) and meat. Cooking can also be therapeutic. The process of chopping up vegetables or feeling your dough is quite relaxing and releases stress. And to know what you put in your food makes you feel healthy and that you've accomplished a great deed.

There are lots more advices out there, so these are just a few. Have in fear. We can stay healthy. Our ancestors never had microwaves and they survived, so we can too! :)

Frozen Yogurt

2009-01-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about the ones you buy from the store (like Red Mango or Yolato). I'm talking about just freezing your own yogurt. Then I thaw it till it's slushy, top it with some museli and it's a deliciously healthy snack!

Free Giveaway #2!

2009-01-17T18:04:00.000-08:00

The nice Angela from Oh She Glows has posted another free giveaway for a box of Honest Foods Country Squares!

http://ohsheglows.com

Check it out! Maybe you could be the next winner!

Free Giveaway!

2009-01-15T20:07:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! Check out the free Honest Foods Contest giveaway at www.ohsheglows.com!

How well do you treat yourself?

2009-01-11T18:09:00.000-08:00

I just want to quote Cristin from "Eat Like Me" -

"As busy as we all are I think it is important to always take a little time on the weekend to do something for yourself that makes you feel good. It always helps me to get through another work week if I have something I am looking forward to on the weekend!"

It's really difficult for me to "treat" myself well. Sometimes I feel I'm not "worth" it or I feel guilty because why am I splurging on myself when my mom is out working, especially in this dire economy? I get tired of making my meals everyday and just wanted to 'buy' a meal. While my right brain tells me to just do it - bring your favorite magazine and sit in a restaurant to enjoy a nice lunch, but then my left brain would rationalize the cost of the meal and the money I could be saving instead. This see-saw argument is really stressful. Is it so difficult to love yourself sometimes?

Beans

2009-01-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

As a semi-vegetarian, I'm so glad I love beans! They are a great meat-substitute and provide protein, vitamins, and other nutrients. Now, like most busy people, I also often resort to canned or frozen beans, but actually, if you've a pressure cooker, cooking dried beans is quite easy and the texture and flavor are definitely much better. Don't worry about having lots of leftover. You can easily freeze cooked beans too! I just found that out. Check out this website for more info - http://www.centralbean.com/cooking.htm

Do you have a favorite bean? I love them all, but I think since I'm a hummus addict, chickpeas are probably my stable, but when I make sweet bean soup (yes! beans can be made into desserts too!), I like to use azuki beans (red beans), mung beans, and black-eyed peas. Though just name any bean, I would still love it. Luckily, my gastro system can take the ahem ahem, gas, so I've no need for Beano. :)

Museli

2008-12-30T16:04:00.000-08:00

Recently, after reading other wonderful foodie blogs, I've been obssessed with oatmeal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and oh yea, snacks. But my primary preference is the steel cut oatmeal because I love its nuttiness and chewy texture.

I passed by my local health food store and found the museli was on sale. Usually, this breakfast stable is quite expensive and I'm too lazy to assemble my own. So when I found this on the aisle, I quickly grabbed a few bags and stored them in my closet. Yes, my closet. They're all mine! :)

Here's a little history on museli for all your curious folks...

Muesli was introduced by the Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Brenner around 1900. He wanted to serve wholesome and fresh food to his patients, so he came up with this combination - raw rolled oats, dried fruits, seeds, and nuts.

A typical museli recipe usually soaks the museli in some orange juice and then add in some grated apple and other fruits. Of course, you can also treat museli like a cereal and mix it with yogurt, milk, or cook in water as a hot meal! It's all in your imagination! I personally just like to eat it with some plain yogurt. Swiss yogurt perhaps? :) It's a filling snack and breakfast when topped with a chopped banana and berries. Drizzle some organic honey or agave and serve as a healthful dessert! There are many a times I used this as a quick and yummy dinner when I don't feel like turning on the stove. But be careful, it's not exactly low calories, so aim for the unsweetened kind. Museli is definitely better than granola in my humble opinion. :)

Salmon

2008-12-27T14:57:00.001-08:00

The only food that's stopping me from becoming a vegetarian are...salmon and dairy. Yep. I tried to take them away from my diet, but I always go back to them. I don't want to restrict myself too much, so I eventually settled to become a pescatarian. We often crave for certain food or food of certain texture when we're not feeling well. Some maybe for salty snacks like chips, sweets like chocolate, or creamy goodness like soup. Me? I crave for salmon. Maybe it's a cry out for my body's need of protein. Before I stopped eating animal meat, I craved chicken, but now, it's salmon (and sometimes yogurt). And miraculously, I often feel 'happier' and better after a 'fishy' meal (but the fish probably wasn't too happy to swim in my stomach *_*). Salmon is one of the healthiest fish out there. We all know it's rich in omega 3 and provides a good source of protein. Visually, I love its bright pink color (as long as it's not artificial). I can totally distinguish if a piece of salmon is of good quality or not. If I ever splurge on a meal, it's definitely on fish. Wild-caught salmon definitely tastes fresher and more 'organic' than farm-raised ones. I can settle for store brand oatmeal, 99 cent stationery, but when it comes to produces and fish, I don't mind paying a little extra for them. I mean, they're contributing to my health and I think it's totally worth it. Anyone would like to name their comfort food? :)

Pomegranate

2008-12-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

Never thought I would like this fruit. Well, it is a big hassle to eat it because of these little 'seeds'. But once you get pass the trouble of 'deseeding', you'd enjoy the natural sweetness and amazing flavor of this exotic fruit. Pomegranate has only gotten popular in the past few years. It has always been forgotten, until people started to pay attend to 'unknown' fruits like acai. If you don't have the time to get the seeds out, I'd suggest to get the juice instead. More expensive, but I think it's actually quite fun to go through the labor to eat the fruit itself. :)

There are so many different ways to use a pomegranate. Whether it's using the juice to making a dressing, the seeds in a salad or just eat it as it is, it's delicious all the same! Try it out!

Hummus

2008-12-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

I think we ALL (well, maybe not all), but most would agree that hummus is not only yummy, but it's nutritious as well. Hummus comes in lots of variations and from different countries, but my favorite is still the Israeli hummus, which is creamy and silky due to the addition of good quality tahini. I'm too afraid to make my own hummus because the best one is made from scratch, that is from soaked chickpeas. I think hummus is best paired with warm pita bread. Tearing off a piece and scooping the heavenly dip is my ideal lunch. Check out this blog that's dedicated to hummus! http://humus101.com/EN/

Edamames - Soybeans

2008-12-15T15:33:00.000-08:00

What's one of the most popular appetizers in a Japanese restaurant? EDAMAME! People might think....beans as an appetizer?? Hmm...but once you give them a try, you'd like it too! Edamames are so nutritious, especially for vegetarians. They are high in protein, fiber, and other vitamins/minerals. It also serves as a healthy snack too!

Here's a quick stat:

Here's what you'll find in a half-cup serving of shelled edamame (or 1 1/8 cup edamame in the pods):
120 calories
9 grams fiber
2.5 grams fat
1.5 grams polyunsaturated fat (0.3 grams plant omega-3 fatty acids)
0.5 gram monounsaturated fat
11 grams protein
13 grams carbohydrate
15 mg sodium
10% of the Daily Value for vitamin C
10% Daily Value for iron
8% Daily Value for vitamin A
4% Daily Value for calcium