Do you know how to open the contraption to use the dispenser? Its a year now since I got the thing for the boys, I still don't know how to do it, and no one I ask knows either. Just had to throw out a whole packet of the mini Smarties, they expired in waiting, and I am refilling with mini M&M I got from Candilicious last weekend.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Cars Smarties Candy Dispenser vs. moi
Do you know how to open the contraption to use the dispenser? Its a year now since I got the thing for the boys, I still don't know how to do it, and no one I ask knows either. Just had to throw out a whole packet of the mini Smarties, they expired in waiting, and I am refilling with mini M&M I got from Candilicious last weekend.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
I did it my way
I have been battling with my weight ever since I can remember, almost always I was the biggest girl in class or anywhere for that matter. Very rare there's someone bigger than me. I did manage to shed about 20kgs when I was about 19 right after I had my appendix out. Managed to keep it off until I got married at 22. Since I did it the wrong way, there were moments I was dabbling with being bulimic. I couldn't/didn't keep it up when I got married, being the foodie that loves to cook I am.
My weight ballooned up at unbelievable rate within 15 years. I was battling with infertility, hated where I was in live and was quite disgusted with how I look each I look into the mirror.
And one day before Ramadan, I think about a week before, something just struck in me. I NEED change. I need to get a hold of my life. And the easiest thing I could do is something that doesn't involve other. The change must be about me. I challenged myself. To see if I still have anything left of the old fighting spirit.
I started controlling my food intake, with Ramadan it wasn't too hard. I cooked my own food, staying away from the normal Ramadan fares + the bazaar Ramadan. I went on a fat-free, no oil, no red meat diet. Meal consist of a dinner plate 1/2 filled with veges (raw/blanched), 2 tablespoon of carb + remaining being white fish / chicken breast that I oven bake/steam with loads of herbs & spices. Fruit is a must. And yes I take tonnes of yogurt, as part of the meal. I was taking 1 meal a day, sahur is just some tamar.
The weigh started melting, I lost about 7kgs in the 1st week - which I know perfectly well are just water loss, but hey! It was really showing. A week on, I started walking daily for an hour in the evening just before iftar. It was truly murder in the beginning, but I kept to it. Chanting to my self 'The pain in my legs are not as bad as the pain in my heart caused by being stuck in this body I hate'. From the 2km on the 1st day, I was up to 3.5km and then 5km within the month.
Aidilfitri came and went, I stuck to my regime. Never touching anything but my own food. Surprised quite a few people with the changes as I did not talk about it at all, made sure no photos are on my FB that even hinted of the things I was doing. By then I've lost about 15kg, the changes was quite obvious, even my skin has gotten better. And I was doing it all drug free, none of those weight-loss program. The only extra supplement I take is Lecithin on top of my usual multivitamins. And yes I weight myself daily as to know what help with loss/gain. Oh, btw, after each meal I sometimes weight almost 1.5kg more, but I know this are all water & etc. and it will just go away in less than 12 hours.
It's been about 6 months, I am still on the journey, though not as strict as before, I do take normal food in very controlled manner - just for the taste of it. I walk 3-4 times a week (up to 5 miles sometimes). I have lost more than 35kg. I still need to join the gym to tone up. I target 5-8kg more, I know this is not going to be easy at all, but I believe I can do it. And the bonus, I am actually smaller than some of those beauties during school/college time!
My BMI is down by 14 points, from morbid obese to plain overweight ;) And 8kgs more, I will for the 1st time in my life join you normal people.
Lastly ladies, if I can do it, anyone can!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
got my 'delicious' fix
with Meatballs and Parmesan while I went for the Spicy Crabmeat Linguini tossed with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Arugula, sprinkled with Pine Nuts. Desert was Peach and Banana Crumble Slice with Vanilla Ice Cream.
I pronounce cravings fixed.
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(Left to right) Mama's Beef Bolognese Spaghettini, Spicy Crabmeat Linguini, Peach and Banana Crumble.
note : this entry is written on the North-South Highway,
somewhere between Trolak and Sungkai while I am sitting in an Aeroline
bus heading toward Penang. 21 Jump Street is on the tv, bleargh...
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
for the love of cooking and the day I chased the wolf
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just the cookbooks |
Yes, I went there with the intention of getting cookbooks mostly. I have been waiting for this sale for almost a year, and cookbooks are indeed the major part of the loot. Most of those on my wishlist from Jamie Oliver & Nigella Lawson was indeed on sale at 20% of it's original price, so what was I to do but to grab whatever that caught my fancy.
- MEDITERRANEAN FOOD OF THE SUN
- THE FOODIE HANDBOOK
- WAGAMAMA WAYS WITH NOODLES
- GORDON'S GREAT ESCAPE: SOUTHEAST ASIA
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : FAST LOW-FAT MEALS
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : EASY ENTERTAINING
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : CASSEROLES
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : QUICK & EASY CURRY
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : OLD FASHIONED FAVOURITES
- AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY : CHOCS & TREATS
- THE MIDDLE EASTERN KITCHEN
- THE JAPANESE KITCHEN
- HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS
- NIGELLA FRESH
- NIGELLA KITCHEN
- NIGELLA EXPRESS
- NIGELLA BITES
- NIGELLA LAWSON FEAST : FOOD TO CELEBRATE LIFE
- FOREVER SUMMER by NIGELLA LAWSON
- THE NAKED CHEF TAKES OFF
- JAMIE'S AMERICA
- JAMIE'S FOOD REVOLUTION
- HAPPY DAYS WITH THE NAKED CHEF
- THE NAKED CHEF
- JAMIE AT HOME
- JAMIE'S KITCHEN
- SUGAR AND SPICE by LAUREN CONRAD
Apart from all these, I got books for the two boys - Scholastic Reading Series, Little Men, Malay novels & sudoku books for mom and some fictions, mostly spy-thrillers by Robert Ludlum & crime fictions by Micheal Conelly. Plus some chick-lits, though I couldn't get as many as I wanted to, I had planned to numb my brain in between cooking sessions with those in the year 2013. Couldn't find any of Lee Child either. Nor any books on poetry. Most prolly they are out there, I just didn't see any.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
hotchickspicysalt ideas : pan grilled fish fillet on blanched spinach
Season the fish fillet with 1/4 tsp of crushed Hot Chick Spicy Salt.
Heat non-stick pan until really hot. Sear the fillet for 1 minute, then turn to the other side, cook for 2 minutes. Repeat flipping if the fillet is thick.
Wash and clean baby spinach. Put in a bowl, pour ove boiling hot water, blanch for 1 minute. Drain and rinse with cold water, squeeze excess liquid. You may season the vegetable with more spicy salt if you want more zing and flavor. Or a dash of nutmeg will taste wonderful with the spinach.
Place spinach on a plate, top with the fish fillet. Serve with rice, pasta or boiled potato and a side of Greek-style yogurt and salsa verde.
Hey, did you notice absolutely no oil were used in this recipe? Proves that oil free food can be scrumptious too.
Variant : Works well with chicken fillet too.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012
hotchickspicysalt ideas : Sunnyside Up with Grilled Tomato and Cheese for Brunch
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Hot Chick Spicy Salt debuts
The salt is available in 150g square jars, and during this charity bazaar, each jar comes with a pretty wooden flower tag & ribbon, not only it will look great on your kitchen counter, it makes great gift too.
I welcome stories, ideas & photos on your culinary experience with the spicy salt.
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
m.a.g.i.c.w.a.n.d
that i can wave your way
to take away all the pains
perhaps even making them mine
so you will suffer no more
and go back to shining lives like you are always meant to be
like you have always been
a star litting up my darkest night
12:27am
d.jaya
Monday, October 01, 2012
d.r.e.a.m
hoping for a glimpse of her
while she waits for him in her dream
like starstruck lovers
always waiting
forever dreaming
eternally cursed
to be not in the same dream
for daring to desire
for hoping to dare
the dream
1:31am
damansara jaya

Tuesday, September 25, 2012
forgetting
to remember
remembering that we forget
memories and forgotten
my life
The first time I heard the song 'Forgetting', I wept.
And running and sweating
Forgetting
Lying and cheating
Aiding and abetting
Forgetting
And itching and scratching
And punching and hitting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Reminding rewinding
Removing regretting
Forgetting
Your smiles at the wake and
Your tears at the wedding
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Spellbound and hellbound
And caught in the netting
Forgetting
Wiping it clean
Minute Armageddon
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Crawling and walking
And running and sweating
Forgetting
Lying and cheating
Aiding and abetting
Forgetting
And itching and scratching
And punching and hitting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Reminding rewinding
Removing regretting
Forgetting
Your smiles at the wake and
Your tears at the wedding
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Spellbound and hellbound
And caught in the netting
Forgetting
Wiping it clean
Minute Armageddon
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting
Forgetting
Monday, September 24, 2012
The day I conquered them pancakes
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Buttermilk Pancake with Blackcurrant Preserve and Clotted Cream with Vanilla |
Leftovers can be frozen with a layer of baking paper between each pancakes. Just zap it in the nuke box for a minute on high, voila! You have instant pancake. And oh yes, you can make waffles using the same batter.
Buttermilk Pancakes
Ingredients
(A)
(B)
Directions
- Combine all dry ingredients (A) in a large bowl. Beat together buttermilk, milk, egg & melted butter in another bowl/jar.
- Remember to keep the liquid & dry mix apart until you are just about ready to make your pancakes.
- Heat your griddle or frying pan on medium heat. It’s hot enough when you flick water on it and it sizzles immediately.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture, and mix until just blended together, DO NOT over mix. Yes, we want those lumps in the batter. Mixing is best done using wooden spoon or cooking chopsticks.
- Brush the griddle with butter; pour ½ cup measure of the batter for each pancake. Cook until they are golden brown around the edges, then flip over to cook the other side. Approx. 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Keep the pancakes warm while you cook the rest by stacking them on a plate and cover with a clean moist kitchen towel.
- Serve with butter & loads of syrup.
Variations
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Buttermilk & Cottage Cheese
p/s: this post is dedicated to a friend whom I once shared a joke about laban or buttermilk with. Here's to never spilling laban again.
1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
- Add vinegar to the milk, stir well.
- Leave about 10 minutes, the buttermilk will thicken slightly.
- It’s ready for use now.
2 tablespoons of lemon juice /white distilled vinegar
Salt to taste
- Heat milk in a pan until hot but not boiling, stirring to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Cool the milk for a few minutes then add the lemon juice/vinegar.
- Stir & let the milk separate into curd and whey. Whey is the watery liquid while the curd is the milk solid that has reacted to the heat & acid.
- Line colander with cheese cloth/muslin, strain when cheese has cooled to room temperature, saving the whey if you are using it for your baking, otherwise just discard.
- Squeeze out as much as the whey as possible from the cheese while it’s still in the cheesecloth and rinse under running water for a couple of minutes.
- Salt the curd to taste. Voila! You have your home-made cottage cheese that’s almost always taste better than the store bought ones.
- For richer and creamy cottage cheese, add cream to the cheese, you’ll get taste and texture similar to ricotta cheese.
- You can further flavor the cottage cheese with freshly cracked pepper, chives or any other herbs or spices.