Another State, Another Home

Thankful and Thrilled!!

These two words best describe my feelings now. Pieces came together in time and good news is always in store. I am really thankful and did not regret that I chose out of heart's desire.

So, basically, this is about my internship in Malacca for half a year starting January next year. Many will ask, why choose a place so far away from home? My family is staying in Teluk Intan, Perak, which is about 3 and half hours drive( or 4) away from Malacca. Just one simple reason, I love MALACCA out of the 13 + 3 states and fts in M'sia.

1. I am going to do my industrial training in Malacca from Jan 2011 until June 2011.
2. I am joining the Pacific Foods' organization through Mamee's Factory in Ayer Keroh.
3. I am staying in a house which is 10 minutes drive away. Just got this news half an hour ago. =) Thank you so much to those involved in helping me. I am very much grateful.
   

With nothing in hand, no resources, no relatives, no guidance and friends to help me concretely, I applied to go to Malacca from the very beginning. I just believe that everything will come into place eventually. And it did, despite all the questions and doubts people are giving me, and I really thank God for all these, from the bottom of my heart. Nonetheless, throughout the process of getting all the required procedures done, indeed I felt it is meant to be and is contented. I am glad I listened deep.

Economical Ginger Gulper

''You chew and swallow it? Can eat meh?'', my housemate asked. ''WHY NOT???'', I answered.

*puzzled* *moments of silence*

LOL. Really, this question always pops out whenever I scoop or pick the ginger roots up. Sliced, shredded, juiced, boiled, steamed, fried, etc...They are edible, chewable and yes, you can swallow them into your stomach! XD Just because it's hot and pungent, that does not mean that ginger are just for flavor and aroma purposes. If you chew it, it actually is spicy and SWEET. =) Ginger, ginger, ginger. Something I've grown up eating, and something I've learnt to love after living far away from home. When you're hungry, you eat everything up, no?


So, I use them quite often in my cooking.

1. Pure ginger juice steamed with chicken essence.
2. Steamed fish with shredded or chopped ginger and garlic. Or maybe the Teochew style?
   
3. Stewed pork or chicken slices with ginger and soy sauce.
4. Potatoes and groundnuts porridge with ginger.
5. Fried scrambled eggs with ginger shreds.
6. Using ginger juice as meat tenderizer.
7. ETC I just love GINGER root! =)

Ginger is often associated with fishy food, with the rancid malodorous smell. Ginger, without realisation, is used in many sauces and liquid concoctions.

Why take it? In case if you hate them, please try to love them. It is beneficial and economical. =)

1. Aids in Digestion - Perhaps the best herb for digestion, ginger root prevents abdominal cramping. If you extremely dislike ginger, try ENO Ginger. It was recommended to me by two aunts I knew from church. =)
2. Treats Nausea and Morning Sickness, and Stomach Bloating - It relaxes the stomach and relieves the feeling of nausea, ginger are good in releasing accumulated air in the gastrointestinal(GI) tract.
3. Zingerone, Shogaols, and Gingerols - These are the volatile oils contained in the root, which gives it the pungent aroma and taste. Gingerols increase the motility of the GI tract and have antibacterial properties.
4. Gives heat and warmth - As hot as it taste, it gives as much heat and warmth. The Chinese culture believed that ginger tea is very good for common cold, and that mothers right after delivery should consume ginger to heat up their body for cell and blood regeneration after losing a big amount of it during childbirth.
5. Eases menstrual cramp - I am a living testimony. I had a terrible one last month, and ginger was one of the quick rescuer.
6. Alleviates High Blood Pressure - Ginger improves and stimulates blood circulation and relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood throughout the body.

So, whatever it is. Ginger is Good, and Gulping Ginger is even better. =) Do you love ginger? Well, I am sharing this love with you. So love ginger today.

Have a nice day. =)

My Love for Wolfberries

Wolfberry, aka goji berry, aka KEI JI(cantonese), vibrant red in colour and it taste sweet after a short boil. =)

Seriously these are good in chicken soup, porridge and even white steamed rice! XD I especially love its combination with the angelica root (dang gui). The fragrance, the taste, and of course not forgetting their health benefits, often believed by the chinese culture. And of course, I consume the dried ones.

Here are some benefits of wolfberries:

1. Improves vision. It contains zeaxanthin which concentrates in the macular pigment of the eye, in help to protect the retina. Take very concentrated amount of this if you have serious eye problems. Highly recommended for those who loves to read(24/7) and those facing with screens all day long.
   
2. As an antioxidant.With large amounts of beta carotene, lycopene, Vit. C, they are used in the fatty sheaths of the eye and help to protect the eye. Plus help preventing free radical damage or our cells. (we are exposed to radiation everday)
3. Strengthens weak legs. Calcium, and other minerals, wolfberries have them quite sufficiently for our daily intake. =)
   

And what about angelica root?

1. Warming in action.
   
2. It nourishes the female essence.
   
3. Tonifies blood.
4. Helps building new blood cells.
   
5. Improves blood circulation, ladies, do not consume this if you are having your period. You don't want to lose blood profusely, do you?
   

They have much more benefits and nutrient content as much as I love these herbs. XD Do google or read up about them from books. My affinity towards herbs started since young, and I never get tired or sick of them. And dealing with the fact that I'm far away from home and used to being pampered with home-cooked meals before I went to university, I had to strive with ways to nourish myself. Some might not bother of what they're eating everyday and some just love fast food and meals prepared outside in shops and cafeterias. Some even survived without eating much due to finance.

Honestly yes I admit, being pampered eating home-cooked meals, almost only, is not very good when comes to survival. But, those are the best. And I thank my mom for being so lovely. For the last two years I had headaches over my meals. I had the thought of surviving on bakeries and dairies to avoid buying meals from the cafeterias, but it is all in vain as I do crave for meat and vegetables, and not fogetting that bakery products make me FAT. And plus, I have a gigantic stomach which acts like a crazy tornadic blender. What I'm trying to say is that I need a lot of food from time to time. If I'm hungry, I'll go dizzy and crazy. LOL

So over the time, struggling to find ways to satisfy both my appetite and body, I started cooking and venturing into the usage of herbs, both eastern and western. Why? Simply because meals with herbs are very easy to prepare, and less time consuming. With those herbs, I can dump them with a chicken drumstick and some cabbages, all in a bowl and off to steaming with some soy sauce. And tara, I get very fragrant, sweet, and tasty meal with white rice for my dinner. =)

Or even, a simple ginger and herbs porridge with some nuts and vegetables. You can add meat if you want to. Well, all in all these two herbs are my main favourites. I do have lots of other herbs to share with you. So, next time, have a nice day. =)