Eventful activities..

Asalamualaikum..
We went back to Hometown last Tuesday. Huhuhu! totally forgotten taking any pictures. You know how excited meeting the family. My father in law is not in good health. We stayed a night at their house and went back home the next day as my daughter had to attend class. Syukur Alhamdullillah, he sounded much better when we called home yesterday.

Being outdoor, is really not a good thing to do .. not the right weather to be sun tanning..hazy days are back. Stubborn me...I could not stop myself to be out at the garden. I needed to organize the plants before the coming of Ramadhan. Gave them some boosting fertilizer, added more soil and some needed to be replanted and repotted. Sometime next week I will start organizing my indoor activities and most of all not forgetting taking good care of our health preparing for Ibadah during the holy month...with God's willing, In sya Allah.

I cleared some climbing plants around the fence and so it look very tidy and neat.
Though my body ached the next day, but I felt good.

This Orchid which has lovely purple colour flowers is flowering again.. do hope it will last until Aidil Fitri.

Some of my Orchid plants shifted to the front..hiding away from the direct sun rays. And the pot on the garden table is my *sherry baby* has a new flower stem shooting out since 3 weeks ago. Happy indeed, the plant had produced flowers about 2  or 3 months ago.

I am glad that Hb had insisted earlier on having Black Pepper planted in our garden.

Taa daa..  Black Pepper that I plucked and drying them under the sun.

This Passion Fruit had not bare anymore fruits.. only during the time when I brought it home from Sungai Buloh. But now, yiilekkk!

As for food, I was munching away with Carbs and sugar *trying my best to minimize* and still maintaining the leafy Salad once in a day...I am loving it.

My dinner tonight, half Chicken Wrap with Salad.

That was what I prepared for Father's day..Mandy Lamb and Chicken

Rice with Colorful Prune Cake.

My easy Peasy lunch

Events

Today..Saturday, 22nd June.

Attended a kenduri Kesyukuran /Akiqah K.Shidah's grandson.

With friends and my far left is my niece Dira.

Selection of scrumptious dessert

The hostess, K. Shidah looking very vibrant

Another Cuttoo Get together on the 12th June at Rohani's house Bukit Jelutong.

Everyone in Jubah..even our friends Steph and Jenny. They were more than willing

to be in that attire..very sporting.

Oh tidak! showing my petticoat with lace 

which I sew many many years ago.

Sweetie Pie Steph with her Bday cake.

Laksa

Kabsa Lamb Rice cooked by Rohani's maid who had lived in Jordan for 8 years
before working with Rohani.

Sedap..say whatt?? Perfecto. Everything was lovely, the food, the presentations and the company.
Ani, thank you so much, and till the next invitation ..ehem, Raya maybe.

Well, I need to have strong determination and have positive outlook of life...
My life is totally under my control and it depends on whether I can manage it well. If I let myself be cheated by those temptations *oohhh so so cannot tahan* I will be drifting away againnn.. Hmmm...my diet!!!
Adios!

Selecting the right Menus

Aslamualaikum..
I love not only sharing my menus as a Foodie, and  rambles from my heart in this space of my blog .. but haven't got the right mood to do so. Firstly, menganti puasa at the last minute making me too lazy concentrating with my laptop. Secondly, with my iPad  spending more time on Instagram but can't update my blog with it.. Thirdly, busy looking for healthy recipes, hehe. Fouthly, household to attend to...that never ends.

Tonight's Open Fast Menu..

 Pasta cooked with Spinach, Baked Chicken and Salmon and Mashed Cauliflower with 

Yogurt sauce and a little chopped garlic.

I started to slow down with my strict diet..  Aah! already coming to 2 months. Well, the menus are still healthy, I hope. Just once in a while craving for this addictive drink...

Lucky me, McD  a stone's throw away from my house

Latte with no sugar

Not that we practiced unhealthy food during the past...but, always prefer food that is easy to prepare, be it Malay or Western menus. And sauces I would always go for Yogurt. Frying, trying my best to minimize it..instead, I love baking food a lot. Rice was not so favorite, as my two kids are very conscious on starchy food and they eat very little rice, except for me, Hb and my eldest son.. We would eat almost everything...*wink* They say, rice can make you fat and high on Carbohydrate. Hmm, it all depends on the cook, apa yang di masak you like it or not 'Makan aje' And since, I was fasting, I prefer a little rice or anything with Carbs to give me strength for the next day.

Soba *made from Buckwheat* with some greens topped with Yogurt sauce

and baked chicken.

 

While the Kids and Hb enjoyed  Ciabratta Chicken Sandwich.

Another menu for my bukak Puasa, Mince Beef with soft Taufoo cooked with Tauchoo and

Assam Pedas Ikan. Greens, must have.

And this too.. Kerabu/salad daun Pegaga with chicken, masak Singgang Ikan

and Prawn Curry... with rice.

This  is my greens for sahur at 10.30 pm

And...

Something simple for Hb dearest for his lunch..
Parpu telur *his favorite* and masak kicap Ikan

With Friends at a Wedding in Bora Ombak Ampang last Sunday.

Picture above, on my left is Groom's mother Salmah.

A wedding with  Balinese concept..

Cheers and take care, have a productive week.
Adios..

Eating, eating... Enjoy Eating but with Moderation...

Assalam..
While waiting for Hb doing the Acupuncture last Friday...1/2 grande cup of coffee at Starbucks sipped through my throat after a long craving of that drinkkkk. Aah! nikmat sungguh, never tasted so good!! God help me! let it stay as my social drink. The dessert that was displayed looked so good and made me hungry for Carbs and sugar...Can't helped myself looking and wishing to grab and eat them. Huish! God knows how I love bread, pastry and cakes...huhu. Calming myself  *sigh* not that I had to starve myself for the whole of my life...*wink*
It's about time I should gradually take a bite of carb...a bite? Not get overboard with the guideline laa...  Anyways, my diet still the half cooked vegetables and a little Carb. When I was out vegetables my first choice.

 At Mamak's..

Adding some proteins like fish, chicken and beef. Tho, sometimes the potato family i dearly missed.. they are high in starch or carbohydrates. Redho lah..it's not something that I rugi kalau tak makan.

 My homecook, I had them with a little Basmati rice..

Roast Beef I had prepared for dinner yesterday only for the kids..my eldest son who came back early from his training enjoyed it very much.

While..
Hb and me had a Dinner date...Hmm, okay la, Hotel food is not to my liking. Since I had controlled after all this time and treated myself  just a little of my favorite.

And Tuesday, we were  in Bangsar at Hb's X office to settle some things..and had lunch in Bangsar Village. It's was late almost 2.30 pm,...I could even eat a horse. Should I get a little reward on Carbs ??? hehe..  eat less carbs and if possible slow down on Sugar.

At Citrus

We ordered 3 kinds of different menus. I had two spoon full of Olio Pasta, Oooh! it's so tasty, yum yum... or maybe because it was my first pasta after many weeks. Aah! I am not cheating ehh!
Gosh! everything seemed to be tasty!!
The seafood platter was nice and also the Kebab..semua laa sedap!!

So..
 

I had this shredded vegetables with walnut and hard boiled egg this morning...Tak sedap! but something to fill my tummy after a fiesta of food I had recently.

And..

We had Basmati rice for lunch with gulai lemak and fried taugeh with taufoo.

Coconut Milk Health Benefits:
Do you know that coconuts are seen by some as a miracle food, helping protect and cure  the body internal and external ailments. Coconut milk has many uses, most of which build up the inmune system and the body's defenses.
Nutrient:
Coconut milk contains many vitamins, mineral and electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and
chloride.
Saturated Fat:
The saturated fat in coconut is made up of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids the body quickly turns into energy instead of storing as fat. Therefore, even though it's high in saturated fat, coconut can aid in weight loss.
Lauric Acid:
Half the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut milk are composed of lauric acid, which is antiviral, anti- bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, Coconut milk can help boost the immune system.
Dairy Free:
Coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerence or allergic to animal milk. This vegan drink is also soy-free, gluten-free and nut-free.
Relief Ailments
Coconut milk is known to relieve the symptoms of sore throats and ulcers.
Skin Care:
Coconut milk is used in skin care products to moisturize the skin and relieve dry skin and rashers. Also can be used on the hair and in baths.

Okay Peeps, see you in the  next entry..
Adios!!

Back to healthy living

Asalam..
I know, it's about 5 weeks since my last entry...Alhamdullillah, I am in good health.

Just needed a short break. Not because of so much work or outdoor activities but changing into a 

healthier living. I had an infection that I need to control my diet. Only with good eating habits will definitely cure in no time. I was traumatised at the beginning but as I read and understood the whole situation and was under controlled. During those times, I learnt about diet food for body nourishing and cleansing.

Yes, initially it was difficult *to normal people it seems to be weird* skipping Carbohydrates and sugar in your diet, but I discovered what good it had done to our body to be free of sugar. Can you imagine, me, NO coffee for more than 3 weeks already? I stopped cold turkey. And intend to make coffee as a social drink, Lol.

 Our dinner tonight, Hb and me.

First of all, you have to have the right mindset before starting what you plan. Have peace with your mind, that you have to do. Kalau ikut kan memang tak tahan, ...craving for the food you normally had. Nothing in the world worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain and difficulty.

The beginning agak terseksa yang teramat as sugar and carbohydrates as we all know gives us energy.. memang pun. Never thought of giving up but the whole body was downed. But Alhamdullillah, I still managed the next day and so on and liking the recipes I browsed in the net.
Completely NO sugar for more than 20 days and eating only greens with little protein for almost two  weeks. And let loose for one day *not sugar* and carry on the programme. It was a good experience.

 Eating out...I chose Salad, but skipped the tortillas and sauce

 Lots of vegetables

Finding the right path or back to basic *kesedaran dan kembali ke pangkal jalan*..wow, sounded serious tuu!
The person who loves baking and so dedicated as in the gastronomy world has mellow a lot these days. *I did not say I am deleting all good food out of my list and siapa kata tak boleh makan, only less carbohyrates and sugar. And do the cleansing followed by eating lots of greens. Making changes for myself for the healthy living. But that does not stop me from cooking what my family loves. I still cook as usual except for my own menu which is Carbohyrates and sugar free. Also introducing them slowly the kind of food I take. I think everyone should detoxify their body once in while.
And it's wonderful to know that lots of friends through instagram has started with the cleansing especially the healthy green juice...GGS *The Glowing Green Smoothies*
Well, I hope I would be more 'peka' this time, when overeating do the cleansing AND  to carry on having my greens in every meal. The love of Food is still in me..the colours and presentations are my main concerned and of course tasty as well.
Peeps, there are plenty of nice healthy menus in the net you can choose. I am beginning to love my greens.

GGS

A green vegetable-based drink a day may be the secret to keeping the doctor away this winter

Rich in immune-boosting nutrients, . "The most powerful way to up our mineral consumption is to consume a plant-based drink every day, by either blending or juicing vegetables and fruit together," says Kimberly Snyder, nutritionist and detox specialist. Green drinks get their vibrant colour from chlorophyll, a nutrient-rich pigment found in all leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, celery and lettuce, that cleans the body of harmful toxins, oxygenates the blood and helps boost energy levels.

Ingredients 1½ cups water
1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
½ head of large bunch or ¾ of small bunch organic spinach
3–4 stalks organic celery
1 organic apple, cored and chopped
1 organic pear, cored and chopped
1 organic banana
Juice of ½ organic lemon

Optional:

1/3 bunch organic coriander (stems okay)
1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Preparation

Add the water and chopped head of romaine and spinach to the blender. Starting the blender on a low speed, mix until smooth.

Gradually moving to higher speeds, add the celery, apple and pear. Add the coriander and parsley if you choose. Add the banana and lemon juice last.


Adios for now, and will be sharing more healthy food in my next entry...In Shaa Allah.

Happenings in the 2nd week of April

Asalamualaikum...

We had leafy greens Salad for dinner tonight. I added Pasta, baked Chicken and Potato. Avacado, Cranberry and Raisins too. A dash of  Olive oil and a splash of Lemon and brown sugar as dressing...superb!!
For lunch, I cooked Ikan Tiga Rasa upon requested by Hb dearest and Fried Asparagus with Udang kering. We left to Subang for Acupuncture after lunch and I visited my friend for about an hour...and stopped at Carreforre on the way back to get my groceries... AlhamduIlillah, the whole day I was on the move at the same time managed to cook complete meals for the day.

Wednesday..

Fried Mee hoon with Fried Salmon seasoned with herbs and chilli flakes. I was desperately out of idea on what to cook. Rasa nak makan mee hoon and ikan....and ended that menu above. So far, no complain, hehe.

No intention to blame on the weather...but it's undeniable the temperature is far above average. It's cloudy and warm the last few days. When I drove to Subang to have breakfast with friends yesterday morning, I had to wear my sunglasses eventhough the weather was gloomy and hazy...sakit mata.  And we ought to be careful of what we eat too. I should have known..makan makanan yg tak terlalu lemak or berminyak. Cuaca yang panas can upset your tummy from the food you eat and seterusnya naik ke kepala. But thank God!!! it rained yesterday night and this evening..syukur!

 Since Monday, I had drawn down the curtains and resting in the semi darkness feeling sicked nausea and splitting headache. Alhamdullillah I was on my feet again and off to meet my friends..

We had Breakfast at Upstairs Subang, it was a Treat by Mala. Very sweet of her to invite us
 who did not attend the Cootoo gathering last week. Two hours with friends and quickly packed lunch for Hb and rushed home before my dearest daughter leave for class.

And here are two menus I prepared for the family..  soft diet. And it helped not only for the stomach but something different from our normal diet.

Congee, or Bubur Nasi.

And Yee Mee Fish Soup for lunch on Tuesday. Hmm, rasa lega dan segar  badan selepas habis semangkok...Soup is always my favorite.

A few days ago..

And this was what we had.. Chicken with Pumpkin and Avocado Salad.. The  chicken was quite oily and pumpkin could have make my tummy gassy.

Saturday..
Ladies in the neighborhood organized High Tea cum fund raising for the new Mosque to be built at our Area. Eat, spend and earn a place in Jannah. We had makan2 *that's for sure*  jumble sale, and lucky draw. Guess what, guess what??? Yeay... I had won a Gift Certificate One Buffet Dinner for 2 at a Hotel.

The Hi Tea was done in a one of my neighbor's house, who was so gracious to offer her place for the venue. Abundance of food spread not only on the main dining table but everywhere.

Happy ladies after being served good food and gifts

Goodnight and sweet dreams..
Adios.

Live life..

Asalammualaikum, and Good day everyone.
No better way to wake up with a good breakfast on the table!!
We started our day with Scones this morning..nice feeling having to chew this yummy crunchy bread.

Spreading it with jam and honey, what better way to wake up with smiles on everyone's face ..I love that!



I took too long to post a new entry. More than ten days from my last one..baru nak bernafas sedikit untuk berkongsi secebis of my life story and menus...hoping that I don't  bore you readers. How I wish to write and share more often, tapi tak terdaya..due to my in and out schedule and commitments. 
After so many months resting from the frequent driving my Hb for therapy, last week Hb started his Acupuncture and massage at a new Chinese Medical Chiropratic. Situated at Subang SS17 for twice a week. Whilst, maintaining the physiotherapy once in a week at our area...still hoping for the best... InSha Allah. Eventhough tak jauh mana dari rumah but the traffic in Subang, Subhanallah!  jam.

 Nasi Goreng for last night dinner.

There was one time, after I dropped Hb and drove to Empire. The journey to Empire from SS17 took more than 15 mins due to the construction works that is going on. Searching for parking was another problem, took me another 15 mins as it was nearly lunch hour. Imagine, how long can I spent in there.. time was too short, one hour to spare. Enough for a quick run to the Grocer.. got some things and off back to fetch Hb...braving the rush hour. Yesterday, I hang around at McDonald SS15 with my girl sharing the Menu set lunch Nugget to fill up my hungry tummy while waiting for Hb to have lunch somewhere.  By the time we got home it was already mid afternoon. It's heart wrenching to see dearest Hb after the session done.. physically drained out due to the massage. And me.. strong at heart..and still, still trying to be strong both mentally and physically to live my life...In shaa Allah, only with God's will!

And..

Our simple dinner..Fish Soup Meehoon

Last Monday, my eldest son took leave to settle some things with Papa.. and we went to Solaris Publika. The best thing was.. I still did not know how to get there..tiba2 dah sampai. Ever since I have been a driver to my Hb and it's like a blessing to be chauffeured around especially seated at the back seat...wah! relaxing.
I don't think I like Publika..it's a different environment from the normal Shopping Complex. Bigger space from one shop to the other....tak tau mana nak cari kedai, it is so confusing... to me. Still plenty of empty shops or maybe the place is still new.

A few inviting Food Cafes around but a bit curiga with the Halal sign and not shown anywhere. When asked.. it's Pork Free.  Hb felt that the best and safest place was Mee Jawa's cafe. The food was okay tho was slightly pricey. What do you expect..it's in Publika. I highly recommend the Assam pedas. Tasted more like Assam laksa gravy.. sweet and sour. Maybe with the pineapple added together made the gravy more umph! Yum yum..

Then to Empire for a cuppa at Coffee Bean after having bought my long wait colored tea pot kettle..haha. Now, with that in the house, we have no problem having hot tea/coffee in a jiffy.

 Comel kettle saya!!

Last Sunday..
We were invited by my nephew Taqi for lunch. His wife Mimi  made a yummy lunch but claimed herself as 'budak baru belajar' I must say it was a good one for a first timer..bravo!
Though, Taqi's birthday had passed the day before ..we still had a chance to share his Blue Chelsea fan  cup cakes. His mum my sister Teh with her Hb and Izian were around. We went back after tea, and my sis Teh later came to spend a night at my place...

Pavlova for dessert done by Mimi, and that Fruit Pie

look familiar..ya, hehe. Well, a gift for Taqi from his dearly Acik.

Nasi Tomato with three curries.

Meanwhile..

Cooking as always depending on my time and mood, sometimes simple and at times quite elaborate. The Laksa cooked after having a long chat on the phone with my sis Leeza. Was like a spur of the moment when I saw the noodle..without planing or preparation. And my dear Syaf..had two serving at one sitting. Hmm..no better way to see a smile on yr children's face having their favorite food cooked! But not a daily routine anymore, food only cook when time permit..

And that was early lunch on last Wednesday before sending Hb for Acupunture which started at 12.30 pm. I wouldn't want him to get hungry while doing the therapy.

Cold Pasta Salad made from leftover Turkey I had baked for my daughter's birthday. And the pasta too was also left over. We really enjoyed these Salad very much..I dare say it's very delish!!!
That was how I prepared dinner...haha, never waste food.

Okay peeps..till the next entry..
Adios!!