H2O Vege Life

15 min. Lunch pack: Omelette with Noodles

2012-02-26T12:38:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! What comes into my mind when comes to preparing meals are wholesome(think vitamin, protein, minerals, carbo), colours(I tried to have 5 colors per meal both for variety of nutrients as well as presentation), time of preparation and what's available in fridge/pantry.
Here's a wholesome omelet with eggs, vegetarian non-GMO sausage(reddish), seaweed(black), cabbage(yellow), tomato(orange),mushroom(brown), sprinkle of mozzarella cheese..and a bit of organic brown sugar and salt/soysauce for taste..on top of a Kon Lou noodle(Vits noodle cooking on hot boiling water while omelet is being cooked), once done scoop up the omelet, off the fire and mix the gravy(sesame oil, brown sugar, olive oil, dark soysauce/ blackstrap molasses) with the water-drained Vits noodle. I love mixing the noodle in the big pan..so much easier, faster to get it evenly mixed..so omelet on to of noodle packed away in thermos/heat retained lunch box..yummy...next time I would try to substitute black olives in place of seaweed should taste awesome ..hmm think pizza noodles haha..

Mini hill climbing with friends..26.2.2012

2012-02-25T20:33:00.001-08:00

First attempt for KY and SE, KY managed to climb up all the way to the top without much assistance, leading all the way. However the blisters make her needing piggyback on daddy all the way down the hill.
As for SE, halfway up the hill, he requested to be carried. Daddy obliged up to a point on a steep slope heading towards the stop when mommy put a stop. I managed to find him a walking stick to "bribe" him to walk down himself with me beside him while DH continued to the top to join KY.
Bravo SE, u managed to walk down the hill on your own!!! Yippee! What a good workout we had today not to mentioned such friendly groups of people young and old who greeted us up and down the hill... A good place to meet some healthy friends ;)

15 minute lunch pack: Stir-fry Fusilli

2012-02-22T12:26:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! Fusilli is one of the of pasta I cooked often besides macaroni. Reason being it is easy to cook and easy to eat with spoon. Lately I colleague told me she would soak the pasta before cooking them and another colleague of DH just cook it without boiling them. For me, I am used to how he westerners do it, first cook them in hot boiling water(with added salt for faster cooking) & Chinese way of adding a bit of oil in the boiling water so that the pasta won't stick together ( another way to do this is to run thru the pasta over cold water right after it is cooked so it won't stick and would be "kiu"/chewy texture). Same as ramen, while the pasta is cooking(takes about 10mins), I would stir-fry black olives(taste great to replace garlic), broccoli(for faster cooking I might even put the broccoli over the top of the pasta; it will turn soft and cooked faster), mushroom, soy-ham, herbs and whatever I have at hand. Once done I would add bit of olive oil, if better use olive oil in the entire stir-fry and u will find the pasta with very nice fragrance..yummy..Easy peasy rite..15minutes and lunch pack is ready! ;)

Vegetarian Diets Improve Mood and Lower Stress

2012-02-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

I receive this article in my e-mail...points to ponder...

Have a happy day!

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Vegetarian Diets Improve Mood and Lower Stress

Vegetarian diets improve mood and lower stress, according to a new study in Nutrition Journal. Researchers asked 39 meat-eaters to begin one of three different diets—a vegetarian diet, a meat-based diet, or a meat-and-fish-based diet. They found that after just two weeks, vegetarians scored significantly better on standardized mood and stress tests. The mood tests measured depression, anxiety, and stress and were compared with food frequency questionnaires. The vegetarians consumed less eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), animal sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and less arachidonic acid, an animal source of omega-6 fatty acids.

Beezhold BL, Johnston CS. Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012;11:9.

For information about nutrition and health, please visit www.pcrm.org/.

Breaking Medical News is a service of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine,
5100 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016.

Packing Meals from home

2012-02-17T15:08:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! Many folks especially in US people who going into eating and cooking from home for healthier body & wallet. Thus the recipe boos, kitchen gadgets sales soar. As for me, I did it out of choice and needs & practicality and earning the benefits along the way( will share more on why at another post)
Here's a typical Friday when I would packed for 4 of us including the children. And we are having multigrain porridge. I am using the thermal pot. Very easy an fast to prepare. I just wash the grains(millet, quinoa, brown rice, etc, comes in a combi pack), cut the potatoes, carrot, mushrooms and add everything in the pot+fill enough water. Put on the stove for 10 mins and put it back to thermal pot to let it simmer and cook further while I continue with my housework/zzz. The porridge will be all cooked by the time I am done changing my attire and ready to get out. Pack them all into our lunch box/pot and sprinkle some nutri powder(black sesame, white sesame, wheatgerm etc). For DH, I add one cube of Chinese preserved beancurd("lam Yu"). Yummy...we are all ready to go! Storing the food in those thermos or thermal pot helps to keep the food warm till lunch time :) hope this post encourage you to try packing from home too :) it's do-able with some planning in advance & some essential ingredient at hand ;)
Cheers & have a lovely weekend!

Lunch Pack: 15 mins. Stir-fry Ramen

2012-02-16T14:19:00.001-08:00

Hi folks, I usually pack lunch to work for my hubby & me. So usually I prefer to cook something simple that takes around 10-15mins to prepare. Here's one of it. First I put the ramen to boiling water for 5 mins. While it is boiling I cut the carrots, cabbage and whatever additional protein-based(this one I added organic tofu slices) food and fry it lightly+seasoning(sea salt, pepper, olive oil,herbs-parsley)& add the noodles into the wok & fry for awhile till well-blend. Simple & yummy lunch pack :)

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-13T21:42:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Before i forget ....Happy Valentines Day folks!

Doing anything special today? Or not just today but every single day?

Last week, i ordered these for me and DH (just in time for V-day...haha..but we don't need an excuse or special day to surprise our folks rite? )

I has been looking for thermos for sometime since my last two not working well...and ever since after dengue I am told to sip on warm water and avoid coughing which might hurt my lung.

And DH is one who loves having her soup, coffee, tea hot...so this combi deal i found at superbuy seems like a good buy.

I got it for MYR99.....but later on found out that the thermos i got is only 375ml instead of 500ml that I thought to be..hoho..ok lar...good enough to put in my handbag...but maybe not sufficient for longer trip....and MYR99 for this 375ml bottle and that cup..doesn't sound so cheap after all..but...ok it's not overpriced too cos the original price for the thermos cup is MYR52..hoho...hopefully DH find it useful...It's after all my V-day pressie to him.

Today I made him kiwi-mango smoothie and fill it up in his new thermos cup which is meant for hot and cold drink.

Will check out and see how he likes this cup..as for mine..haven't got time to test it...and see how long that 375ml of warm drink can satisfy my thirst..haha...need refill along the way i guess.

What lovely things you have got yourself or your dearest ones today?

Happy V-Day again!

Cheers and have a lovely day!

Another Smoothie Attempt

2012-01-31T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hi folks! The other day I saw a recipe which uses yogurt instead of fruit juice for those concern on sugar content in juices, here's apple, banana & grapes in tropical fruit yogurt... Yummy...

Recipe: Vietnamese Sping roll

2012-01-30T11:29:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! The Vietnamese spring roll we made the other day was simply making use of what's in our fridge. The typical ones(this recipe was prepared by my Vietnamese friend) will have: Vietnamese spring roll sheet, vermicelli, mint/basil, lettuce, groundnuts powder, some spicy sauce(I substitute it with a sweet sauce for the kids), tofu strips, soybean meat and cili padi. (Below I used carrots, sengkuang, seaweed and cabbage-steam them all(except seaweed) for easier digestion for the kids). As this spring roll sheet can be eaten directly after wrapping, it makes it fun to make with the kids and get them to eat the veggies too! My kids easily finished 3-5 of these. U can find the spring roll sheet at leading hypermarket or groceries frequented by Vietnamese ;)

Early Scrumptious Reunion Dinner + Karaoke + Games

2012-01-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Vege char siew, cold dish, curry, pun choi, yakult, cocktail & sushi. Karaoke & family quiz games. I won the big red packet! Yey! :)

Happy CNY to all!

2012-01-19T16:48:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Today is a rainy and rather jam-packed day. I believe lotsa people will be making their home for CNY celebration with their loved ones.

To those who are driving, be safe on the road.

Happy Dragon year to all! May it brings a mystical and miracle change that we all need for the year 2012 for the better!

Let's start from each and everyone of us to be a better person...each day!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Cheers!

Yummy Trip@LovingHut Sri Petaling

2012-01-13T02:36:00.001-08:00

Seri Petaling Outlet
53-1, Jalan Radin Bagus,
Bandar Baru Seri Petaling,
57000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60390570968
Email : lovinghut.sp@gmail.com

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Artisan Gourmet Bread & Pastry Appreciation workshop

2012-01-08T09:57:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! Yesterday I attended this workshop from 19Culinary using the Groupon I have purchased. Have learned earlier that they will show using Pre-made dough but didn't know that not even the forming of the pastry shape is not shown. Is only showing how to thaw & "bake" the ready-made bread & pastry which is 75% cooked to bakery-style taste & look. Tad disappointed but well at least I now learn there is this thing called ready-made 75% cooked dough which I can bake and serve it piping hot & yummy to guest anytime..will show more when I experiment it ;)

Yummy Salad with Jamie Oliver's Dressing

2012-01-07T13:55:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! Here's one yummy dish me & SE prepared after watching Jamie's salad recipe.
Ingredient: cherry tomato, lettuce, black olives, cucumber, Tempe, cranberries, cashew nuts, almond, avocado
Dressings: salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil

'More Than A Mammo’ programme

2012-01-04T20:59:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Have you heard of the 'More Than A Mammo' programme?

CANCER Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) and Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya (SDMC SJ) in Selangor have recently launched the "More Than A Mammo" Programme targeted to increase awareness and uptake of mammogram screening for breast cancer.

The programme aims to reach out to 1,000 Malaysian women by offering mammograms at a subsidised rate of RM50.

To participate, you need to be:

A Malaysian woman aged 40 and above
No personal history of breast cance
Have not gone for a mammogram for the last 12 months.

However, if you are less than 40 years of age and have a close relative with breast cancer, you should consult your doctor about the benefits and limitations of mammograms.

With a doctor's referral, you are still eligible for the study.

If you are interested, do register at the Breast Care Centre, 1st Floor Outpatient Centre, Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya, Mondays to Fridays, or telephone +603-5639 1340 or log on to www.carif.com.my for more information.

I remember last year when I brought my mom for the mammogram test at a private medical centre, it costs MYR120.

So, if you fits the criteria and care of your health, I strongly encourage you all to go for the test; this time for a good cause too!

Cheers!

New Year, New Hopes & Attitude

2012-01-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

Yesterday I took a day off to send the kids to nursery and also to take some time off to do some mini spring-cleaning after coming back from a 3-day camp (the first camp ever after more than 7yrs absence from attending such motivational camps; it is there where I met my hubby too!)

I like to share something I learn from the radio deejay yesterday. "Ask what we can do to xxx, rather than what others can do to us". And "what should we do to achieve our goal rather than waiting for it to miraculously happen.."

They were discussing with listeners to ask what they like to contribute back to the co. for year 2012. And what actions they should start doing to achieve the new year goals made.

As it is much easier to start the Change from Ourselves rather than hoping others(things, events, condition) to change.

So what I like myself to change this year? I hope to have more patience and peace at heart in everything I do. More patient with the kids.. And enjoy their cheekiness...more at peace with the chores n tasks I need to do daily...

First thing to do is to have a grateful heart and give thanks more.....first thing in the morning while getting the kids
Ready for school and driving thru the jam...Have Patience, sing songs :)

How about you? What do you like to achieve today?

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Hakka Loi Cha at Earth kids Enterprise

2011-12-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

Hi folks, this is a signature Hakka Dish that I love and would always order whenever it is on the menu. It's called Hakka Loi Cha which made up of a bowl or rice with lotsa of lightly boiled vegetables, crunchy peanuts and a special gravy made out of grinded tea leaves, mint, basil, sesame seeds, etc.
Super Yummy & Healthy dish!

Yummy Noodle Bento Set

2011-12-29T14:16:00.001-08:00

Hi folks! This is one yummy dish you can find at Earth kids Enterprise, a homely organic eatery.

Earth Kid Enterprise
40-1, Jalan Puteri 5/2, Bandar Puteri, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 47100
03-80631431

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It's 29 Dec 2011~

2011-12-28T16:14:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Another 2-3 days, we will be stepping into year 2012. What has 2011 brings to you?

What is your hope and aspiration for 2012?

Shall we start making our reflection and share it with God, ourselves, our close friends or even our blog....let them be our supporters and reminders of our dreams and goals...

I am making a list soon after I done reviews on my past goals and achievement :)

If you are making yours, please do leave your blog url or share it with me at the comment box. I love to be your supporter too!

Cheers!

Things to be Grateful of during Festive season

2011-12-27T16:15:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Yesterday, at the news @ 8pm, many chinese consumers were being interviewed with the Chinese New Year approaching plus the high expenses incur when kids starting school this 4 Jan, will it affect their pocket and the way they spend. And whether the MYR100 allocation from the government if of any help to them.

Truly, we do spend a lot during festive season don't we? For the Chinese, people usually will buy new clothings, new shoes, etc etc during the CNY.

As for me this year, I will also try not to spend unnecessary.

I am grateful to have:

Enough clothing to wear
Enough food to eat
Enough leaves/holidays to spend with my family

That's all matters during the festive season, isn't it ;)

How do you feel during the upcoming festive season?

Cheers!

KPI to God

2011-12-21T21:02:00.001-08:00

Hi folks,

Have you done your KPI lately?

What is KPI? KPI stands for Key Performance Index, is an industry jargon for a type of performance measurement.

KPIs are commonly used by an organization to evaluate its success or the success of a particular activity in which it is engaged. Sometimes success is defined in terms of making progress toward strategic goals. (Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_indicator)

Usually at year end, most companies will be reviewing the KPI with their staff. So do I.

As i reviewed my own KPI, I was thinking how about my KPI with God? Are we doing our part to fulfil our duties as God's children?

No matter what religion or belief you have, you sure do have your own personal goals to achieve.

What about KPI to God? Things like:

How many people have I offered my help, my smiles, my care?
How many challenges have I undertake and overcome?
Have I become a much better person in terms of virtues/character? Am I more caring, more patient, more considerate than before?
Have I perform my worldly duties to my best effort? Have I fulfil my role as a wife, mother, daughter, employee/employer, citizens, friends, etc?
Have I pray to God and let God walk with me in my daily life? Am I closer to God than before?

These are some of the KPI to God that I am reflecting.

What about you? Certainly life is not just about climbing the corporate ladder or building wealth alone.

Hope I will be a better person than I am every single day!

Cheers!

Wish I could win this!

2011-12-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

Take part in the Microsoft's Great Family Time Contest if you wish to win a Nissan Grand Livina like me :D !

Pulling ur hair out cos u got no time to deal with d stressful details in ur life? Get more organized with #MSFamily

Cheers and Good Luck to us!

Mixed Vege Fried Rice by DH

2011-12-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

Hi folks!

Today DH offer to prepare today's lunch (ahem...which I happily ate it for breakfast....yummy!)....Mixed Vege Fried Rice..simple yet nice...

His cooking is as good as his theory he's been preaching me all these while when I cooked or experiment with new recipes...too much salt, hmm..not enough oil, not enough that... :P

Hope he'll cook more often ;)

Cheers!

My Personal Experience with Dengue

2011-12-03T15:10:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Many people asked how my platelet managed to go up and many also shared with me some home remedies.

When I admitted to hospital, all the hospital did was put me on drip to keep me from dehydration, took my temperature, blood pressure and blood test daily as part of their monitoring measure.

The Doc said, "There's nothing much we can do except to wait for the platelet count to rise."

I asked, "Is there anything I could do to help it to rise faster and heal faster? And how long I need to be at the hospital(thinking of my kids, work and also dreaded at the daily committing I had as if morning sickness I endured during my two pregnancies whereby I was on drip few times too)"

Dr. said, " Well there's nothing much we can do as currently there's no medication for dengue. That's why you see we don't prescribe any medication for you. Do you need any medication for your fever and vomitting?"

I said," I have been vomitting few times and not able to drink or eat since morning(it was late afternoon when the Dr. finally came). And I am feeling very hot( from inside, the air-cond was put at 23 degree Celsius by the nurse as she said had to keep my temperature down. Then someone who shared the room with me switched it to 32!!!!! while I was aslept making me feeling hot and sweaty all over..."

I cannot imagine when I was having two-room ward, I am already facing difficulties with the air-cons plus sleeping time( the Korean youngster who slept to me earlier who had dengue as well was a late sleeper and been watching late night movies with her laptop :P).

Throughout my 6 days there, I have 5 different roommate. One of the them being the Ms. Malaysia, Soo Wincci who shifted after the single room is available I think..she had a minor car accident nearby. Being sick and not really a good timing(with people hospitalized) l I did not took the chance to take a pic with her. But wow, she really looks great with very good complexion and outlook in life as he described her ordeal with her friends am family who came to visit. No self-pity, blaming etc, still busy accessing her laptop.. :)

Now back to how I recovered from dengue.. I truly was not sure what truly helps.. But I am very thankful for people(my babysitter) who brought me papaya juice(she just squeeze the juice out and I drank it fresh, slightly bitter but still bearable) & to my sis who brought me fresh watermelon juice(which I drank it all)!

I only took one teaspoon of papaya leaf juice for two days( and vomitted it out afterward); but I guess part of it still did went in my body as after that, the next day my platelet goes up, and I was discharged after resting one more day.

The Dr. saw my papaya leaf juice and want to know his reaction & explanation on the source of this home remedies? Let me explain in the next post.. as it's getting too lengthy this post.. Are you folks yawning already?

Note: I purposely wrote this post for my sifu(former colleague and a great teacher for me in life & at work) who SMS me about hi friend who is having dengue). Hope my sharing helps...

Cheers!

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World Meatless Day

2011-11-24T06:41:00.001-08:00

Hi folks!

Tomorrow is World Meatless Day! Let's make a pledge to stick to meatless diet tomorrow for a better world and better health!

Cheers!