Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Hubby hadn't eaten his lunch yet and Whatsapped me to join him for grocery shopping and then for lunch. He needed to stock up for some upcoming events. I was having brunch at home when he called and later drove to the supermarket to meet him. 

After we were done shopping, we went to LDG for lunch.  He has been craving steak for a long time but each time he suggested steak, I declined his suggestion as I preferred something light and easy for  my digestion. Moreover, I am now cutting down on red meat due to Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (genetic high cholesterol).  FH is an inherited condition characterized by higher-than-normal levels of blood cholesterol. I only eat red meat once or twice a week.  For the rest of the days, I usually eat eggs, chicken breast, and fish, prioritizing plant-based foods but avoiding soy products.

Hubby's steak was cooked to a tee. Superb taste and texture. I love the side of mashed potato with cheese and mayo.

After lunch, I rushed home to prep lunner for Cass, who would be coming back from school soon.

I cooked steamed herbal chicken drumsticks.  Cass loved it and ate three drumsticks.
This recipe is simple and mess-free.
The drumsticks are seasoned with soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, chopped garlic, some Chinese herbs, red dates, and wolfberries. Place everything in two pieces of baking paper and wrap well. Then steam in medium heat for 40 minutes. The result is chicken meat that's really juicy and succulent.

* Herbs used - Yu zhu (Soloman’s seal), dang gui (Chinese angelica), hong zao (dried red dates), gei qi (Chinese wolfberry) and dang shen (Codonopsis root).

Saturday, 18 November 2023

Cass asked if I could bring her to Mid Valley Megamall. As her week-long holiday is coming to an end and school will resume on Monday, I agreed, even though I had nothing to buy. I bought almost everything that I needed during the 11.11 Sale last week.  

I thought that this girl would be done with her window shopping in just a couple of hours but I was so wrong. She didn't want to go home and we spent 6 frigging hours in the mall!  With nothing to buy, I still ended up a few hundred Ringgit poorer. I bought hubby's Christmas and birthday present.  His birthday is just a few days after Chrismas, so I got him a present for both occasions 😆

I wasn't even hungry but got myself a boba tea from Tealive and a bunch of buns from Barcook, our favorite bakery, for the girls.  Sherilyn worked part-time at Barcook for half a year after her SPM exam this year. The perks are pretty attractive but she told me that it's stressful working as a cashier as she hardly had time for breaks. The bakery is perpetually swamped with customers.

To wait for Cass, I spent three hours at Jaya Grocer, pushing the cart round and round all the aisles, and ended up with a bunch of things that I didn't really need.

A bunch of rather healthy foodstuff - matcha green tea bags, radish kimchi, Benns 99.9% dark chocolate, triple-washed salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries, and so-called healthy popcorn (non-GMO).  I also took a few punnets of antibiotic-free chicken thighs but when Cass told me that she needed 2 more hours, I put the chicken meat back in the chiller. I told Cass to hurry up coz the longer I spent at the supermarket, the more stuff would end up inside the trolley!

I also found a pair of Nike shoes from JD that are SO comfy on my feet!  

The Nike Free RN NN Women's Road Running Shoes (RM439) are made from sustainable materials. The flexible, super light, and barefoot feel makes me feel like I'm just wearing socks! Such a joy to walk and run in them. But hubby got me a new pair of Nike running shoes just last week. I guess I'll only bring this baby home next year and hopefully, the price will drop!

Safe Deposit Box Key Mystery

I wanted to snap a picture of an important document kept in my bank's Safe Deposit Box but the SDB key wasn't with me. Before my mil left for New Zealand, I gave her the key as she wanted to keep her stuff in the SDB but she hasn't returned the key to me yet. 

But I wasn't 100% sure if the key was with the mil. She could have returned it to me and I misplaced it.  That happened about 1.5 months ago. I started to go into panic mode!

I couldn't call the mil right away to ask her the whereabouts of the key as she was five hours ahead of us and it was 2am in Auckland. I WhatsApp-ed one of the bank staff to ask him about the procedures but he had already resigned from the bank. I Googled to find out what the procedures are for getting a key replaced. The answer I got sent me into a more panicked state of mind.  You cannot get your lost key replaced. The entire SDB lock has to be replaced with a brand-new one. A locksmith has to be engaged to hack the SDB. All the costs have to be borne by the SDB holder, ranging from RM300 - RM500!  I couldn't imagine money flying away like that, just like how hubby had to pay RM1k to get Alycia's iPad repaired when she carelessly slammed the car door on her iPad recently.

I sent a voice message to the MIL before going to bed. The next morning, she Whatsapp-ed me to tell me that the key was still with her and told me where she had hidden it. What a relief!! 😅😅

Last week we had food from hubby's kitchen again, on an almost daily basis. I'm the happiest as this means fewer chores for me in the kitchen 😊

Sambal prawns.

Mee Siam

Chicken Kuzi (my favorite), cooked using a wide variety of spices, ghee, and Koukakis Greek yogurt (imported from Greece). The Greek yogurt gives this dish a very creamy texture.

Mixed veggies, Thai fishcakes, Telur Dadar (omelet), and Kuih Koci.

Cut honeydew.

Haru My Therapy Cat

I thought my days of hiding in the wet kitchen to eat junk food and ice creams were way behind me as I would never have any more babies. But ever since our Pandemic Cat came into our lives almost 3 years ago, I have had to start hiding in the wet kitchen to eat certain foods again, as silent as a mouse, lest this cat with bionic ears hears me.  

But alas, I can never hide from this super cat with bionic ears and nose. No matter how hard I try to hide from her and how quietly I eat my chicken, cakes, breads, and paus, this wai sake mau (greedy cat) will always find out, even though she's deep in her sleep, or so I thought.  She then nonchalantly catwalks into the wet kitchen as stealthily as a ninja and then gives me a shock by scratching her claws on the metal kitchen door or brushing her tail against my leg, as if to chide me for hiding from her when I eat her favorite food 😅

The reason why I have to hide from Haru whenever I eat certain foods is because Haru has very sensitive guts. She cannot overeat and is allergic to grains. She will be down with diarrhea and vomiting if I overfed her. 

After almost 3 years, Haru still loves crawling into plastic bags, paper bags, and small cardboard boxes, contorting her body inside, and thinking that no one can see her.

Haru meets a veggie worm for the first time. The worm is from my organic spinach.

Saturday, 4 November 2023

Today is the first day of Cass' JUEC exam. She left the house before 7 a.m. and only returned at 5.30 p.m. It's been a long and tiring day for her. But she got a treat of a nice little dinner at Red Kettle, our favorite cafe. 

Tomorrow (Sunday) will be another long day for her at school as she gets to the grip of Day 2 of the exam.  It's also going to be a taxing day for me as I need to send Cass to school before 7am, fetch her back, and send Alycia to work in the morning.  This week is a no-rest day for me 😓

Grilled chicken salad for Cass. 

Double cheese pork burger for Sherilyn and me. 

Pan-fried seabass for hubby

Chicken chop for everyone

Carbonara for Alycia

Best-in-the-world Portuguese egg tart @ RM5.90 each from Red Kettle. First, we ordered one, then added another and when hubby joined us for dinner later, he ordered another one! I told hubby that he could buy 8 of these tarts for my birthday next year instead of a birthday cake 😁

This Char Koay Teow that I tapau-ed in the morning cost me a frigging RM11.50!!!  It has no prawns, no lard, and no cockles. I even brought my own container to take away.  And it's from our regular CKT seller.  I think she overcharged me for this CKT, which is composed of only noodles, bean sprouts, fish cakes, and an egg. 

Even economy noodles with add-ons like a sunny side up, spam, curry veggies, and fish cakes won't cost this much.

When I asked her if she had increased the price, she wasn't too happy about it. That's it, I'm going to another CKT stall in the future as there are 2 other CKT stalls in our neighborhood that don't overcharge, and their CKT tastes almost the same!

Sourdough Brunch at Tommy Le Baker

Friday, 27 October 2023

Our Friday began with Sherilyn's dental appointment at 9:30 a.m., where she had her teeth and braces checked. Originally, I was meant to send her to the dentist, but hubby had to make a trip to Lee’s Frozen at Jalan Kg Attap to stock up for his catering events next week. He volunteered to take her to the dentist, leaving us with an unexpected opportunity for a family brunch at Tommy Le Baker.  The bakery is located opposite Lee's Frozen.

Lately, I had been yearning for a taste of crispy sourdough bread loaded with savoury fillings. Tommy Le Baker had been on my list for a while, and the stars aligned for our visit today.

Our order was an ensemble of mouthwatering sourdough sandwiches. I opted for a combination of salmon and egg mayo, while Sherilyn went for the savory beef filling. My husband, always the generous orderer, selected crispy toasted sourdough slices accompanied by generous rolls of butter and marmalade, a melted cheese sourdough sandwich, alongside a delightful quiche.  We were in sourdough heaven!

My yummy salmon and egg mayo sourdough sandwich.

Crispy sourdough slices with thick, sinful rolls of salted butter and marmalade jam. 

Quiche

Melted cheese sourdough sandwich. 

Despite our hearty appetites, we found ourselves with leftovers, so I packed them up for Cass, who’s also a sourdough fan. I added a wholesome rye, banana, and coconut muffin to sweeten her day.

Sometimes, the best moments are the ones that unfold spontaneously.

De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan @ The Linc KL

Last Sunday, my family and I went to De.Wan Restaurant for lunch, a dining establishment I had long yearned to visit. Renowned for its exquisite Malay cuisine, this restaurant is owned by Malaysia's beloved celebrity chef, Datuk Dr. Chef Wan. As a fan of his cook shows since I was young and his infectious sense of humor, I was thrilled to finally dine at his restaurant.

My intrigue for De.Wan was fueled by the rave reviews I'd heard from my sisters-in-law and hubby’s relatives, who would sing praises of the delectable dishes whenever they visited Kuala Lumpur from overseas. In August of this year, when my eldest SIL from England came to town, we had initially planned to visit Chef Wan's restaurant. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our plans when her son fell ill with a stomach flu.

So when my husband suggested dining at De Wan Restaurant, I wholeheartedly agreed, excited to indulge in an authentic Malay culinary experience.

Our order included a delectable lamb Kuzi, a mixed satay platter featuring succulent beef and chicken, the savory Rendang Tok (beef rendang), Chicken Kapitan, sambal eggplant, Nasi Telur Terengganu (rice), Nasi Pandan Delima (rice), and a delightful bowl of Cendol.

Crispy and yummy fried peanut crackers as appetizer, on the house.

Our delectable spread.

Satay with chunky, lean, and tender meat. 

Chicken Kapitan

Sambal egg plant.

Two varieties of aromatic steamed rice 

My favorite Cendol with a scoop of ice-cream, thick coconut milk, gula Melaka syrup, kidney beans and cendol jelly. At RM20 a bowl, it is more than enough for the four of us.

Every dish was executed to perfection, boasting the use of premium ingredients and a generous infusion of herbs and spices. The standout for me was the Cendol, which was thick, creamy, and easily one of the best I've ever tasted. I savored every dish hubby ordered, except for the Lamb Kuzi, as I'm not particularly fond of lamb. While the prices may be on the higher side, the generous portions and the quality of the ingredients justified the cost.

The menu

The menu

Our delightful meal left us yearning for more, and we've already planned to return to explore the other treasures on De Wan's menu. The restaurant offers an enticing array of Malay dishes that I can't wait to sample.  The service rendered by the waiting staff was excellent and they were very friendly and helpful.

There was a 25% discount for Public Bank card holders. So if you're a Public Bank debit card or credit card holder, do quickly visit De.Wan before the promotion ends.

We couldn't finish the lamb kuzi and beef rendang and had them doggy bagged home for dinner the next day.

After lunch at De Wan, we made a pit stop at Bean Brothers, a café chosen at random by hubby. Sherilyn, who always seems to have assignments in progress, continued her work at the café while we enjoyed coffee and cakes. The café, with its chilly air conditioning indoors, prompted us to opt for outdoor seating, where we observed pet parents enjoying the ambiance with their fur babies.

After coffee and cakes, we did grocery shopping at Ben's Independent Grocer (B.I.G.). I love the variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and groceries available at B.I.G. 

A wide variety of minced aromatics is available, such as shallots, garlic, turmeric, galangal and much more. They are sold by their weight. This is the first time I have seen readily minced aromatics sold fresh in a supermarket. This is really convenient for time-pressed working parents who cook regularly. Now I know where to get them when hubby's kitchen staff are too busy to prepare them for me.

De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan @ The Linc KL

360, Jln Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Tel no: 03-7890 6016

My Therapy Cat

This morning, I inadvertently knocked over Haru's food bowl whilst prepping her breakfast, spilling the wet fish food all over the kitchen floor. Not only did the floor become a mess, but my dress also got coated with bits of fish. Haru, who had been eagerly awaiting her breakfast, wasted no time seizing the opportunity and began licking up the scattered food from the floor.

While Haru diligently cleaned the floor with her tongue, I hurriedly changed my soiled dress and gave it a brief rinse. Upon returning, I was astonished to find that Haru had nearly completed the task, having meticulously licked up every trace of fish from the floor. Observing Haru in action was nothing short of comical. She really amuses me every day with different antics 😸

My Simple And Healthy Breakfast

If only my girls could eat such simple food for breakfast or even lunch, life would be so much easier for me and for them, and healthier too!

Chicken porridge before going to the hospital with Sherilyn.  The chicken meat used to cook the porridge was leftover Ipoh salt-baked chicken for dinner.  Luckily I ate this bowl of porridge that was enough to fill my tummy up the whole day as there weren't many good choices of restaurants and cafes at SJMC. We were stuck at the hospital for 6 hours.

Mashed purple sweet potato with Lurpak Light butter.  I love this butter as it's healthier and less salty and made with only a few ingredients - butter, water, rapeseed oil, lactic acid culture, and salt.

Egg and purple sweet potato boiled in the same pot.  This was what I ate for brunch before I started cooking lunch for the girls.

Embracing 50

Reaching the milestone of 50 is an achievement worth celebrating. It's a time to reflect on the ups and downs of life's journey and acknowledge the changes that come with age. At 50, many of us, myself included, may still feel young at heart, but our bodies often reveal the undeniable passage of time.  

1. The Mirror of Time: Physical Changes

One of the most noticeable aspects of turning 50 is the physical changes that are inevitably hard not to notice. The reflection in the mirror may reveal the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and for many, a gradual thinning of the hair. While I only have several strands of grey hair, I know that in time to come, I will have a head full of grey hair. I also can’t help noticing that my eyes are now not quite the same as how they used to look when I was younger.  While these changes may be seen as signs of aging, they also carry with them the wisdom and experiences of life that have shaped us.  I wish I could look twenty forever 😁

2. Aches and Pains: A New Companion

As I entered my 50s, I began to experience aches and discomfort that were once foreign to me. Perhaps it's the result of wear and tear on the body or the natural progression of aging. One specific ache that has been bothering me is a dull ache in my left hip. While it doesn't significantly disrupt my daily activities, it raises questions about its origin. Is it hormonal? Could it be related to a fibroid in my uterus that has grown bigger, thus causing me discomfort? 

To address the concerns about the ache in my hip and rule out any underlying issues, I've decided to consult my gynecologist soon. An ultrasound scan of my abdomen and pelvic area will provide insights into the possible causes of this discomfort.  I actually dread going to my gynae’s clinic as I am afraid of being told that I have something really bad brewing inside of me.  But knowing the truth is also about finding peace of mind.  And if there was really something nasty inside, at least it's still at an early stage.  The last time I did an ultrasound scan at my gynae’s clinic was in February this year for my annual medical checkup and pap smear.

3. Navigating Minor Skin Disorders

The journey through the 50s isn't just about physical discomfort and changes; it also comes with some unexpected surprises. In my case, minor skin disorders have made their appearance. In future articles, I'll delve into these skin concerns and how I have explored ways to manage them effectively.

Eczema (oozing and painful kind) behind my ears. This is something that is new to me and it is triggered by sleeping on my sides. 

Turning 50 is a significant milestone that brings with it a unique set of experiences, challenges, and rewards. While the physical changes and aches may be part of the package, they are a reminder of the fullness of life lived and the inevitable journey of aging. The decision to address these changes head-on, whether through medical consultations or personal care routines, is an empowering step on the journey of embracing 50.

Simple And No-Brainer Dishes

On weekdays, we have pretty simple food and on weekends, hubby will bring us out to have more decent meals and occasionally splurge on elaborate meals.

On most weekdays, there'll be excess food from hubby's shop, so I only need to cook a veggie dish.  I'm very happy as long as I don't have to cook and dirty the kitchen. 

This is what I had for brunch several days ago:

Air-fried shishamo, scrambled eggs, and half an avocado.

After brunch, I had less than an hour to whip up lunch for Cass.  Her UEC trials are ongoing for two weeks and she comes home very early on exam days. So I cooked fried noodles.

Fried noodles for everyone. 

One-pot veggie + mushroom + foo pei, miso paste, and chicken soup.  The chicken stock is from Japan, which MIL bought when she went to Japan for a holiday recently. It's really convenient to just throw in a packet or a cube of dehydrated chicken stock and a few tablespoons of miso paste to make delicious soups.

Purple + yellow sweet potato and purple + yellow sweet corn kernel 'tong sui' with pandan leaves, gula Melaka, and evaporated milk for myself.