Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Wisdom teeth pain

It's been a while since I last posted anything. Yeah... I miss blogging but I was in terrible pain right up until now. My right lower wisdom tooth is impacted and I'm in a lot of pain this week. I went to the policlinic because the last time I went to a private dentist, she told me that it cost RM450 per wisdom tooth to be extracted. I went to policlinic last week and the dentist told me that I have to be refer to Miri General Hospital to see the specialist. And they told me that the cost of wisdom tooth extraction is RM50 but my husband is a government servant, so it can be done free with a guarantee letter. The bad news is, it can only be done next month on the 21st! I have to bear with this pain for almost a month! It's even worse than labor pain because for me, when I'm in labor pain, it felt like a euphoric sensation compared to this killing pain of impacted wisdom tooth. Another bad news is, because of I'm breastfeeding my baby, they can't prescribe me with any strong drugs! Arghh.. so much in pain. But, I'm holding this to my heart:

"Those who patiently preserve will truly receive a reward without measure" (Qur'an 39:10). "And bear in patience whatever (ill) maybe fall you: this, behold, is something to set one's heart upon" (Qur'an 31:17). Prophet Mohammad taught "When the believer is afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or more, God forgives his sins, and his wrongdoings are discarded as a tree sheds off its leaves."


I've googled so much information about wisdom tooth extraction and I hope with all of these info, I can manage it well. Dear Allah, please let me be strong because I have 5 children to take care of. Amin.

Friday, November 26, 2010

A Letter from Mom and Dad

Alhamdulillah... Finally, our subscription of 2 Mbps Streamyx has been installed by Telekom Malaysia. Finally! After several complaints to their hotline! Arghh.. Very slow service! After 1 month plus! I would like to share a note taken from a video that I've come across at Facebook for us to share and learn something meaningful from it.

My beloved ayah


My child,
When I get old, I hope you understand and have patience with me
In case I break the plate, or spill soup on the table because I’m losing my eyesight, I hope you don’t yell at me.
Older people are sensitive, always having selfpity when you yell.
When my hearing gets worse and I can’t hear what you’re saying, I hope you don’t call me ‘Deaf!’
Please repeat what you said or write it down.
I’m sorry, my child.
I’m getting older.
When my knees get weaker, I hope you have the patience to help me get up.
Like how I used to help you while you were little, learning how to walk.
Please bear with me, when I keep repeating myself like a broken record, I hope you just keep listening to me.
Please don’t make fun of me, or get sick of listening to me.
Do you remember when you were little and you wanted a ballon? You repeated yourself over and over until you get what you wanted.
Please also pardon my smell. I smell like an old person.Please don’t force me to shower.
My body is weak.
Old peoople get sick easily when they’re cold. I hope I don’t gross you out.
Do you remember when you were little? I used to chase you around because you didn’t want to shower.
I hope you can be patient with me when I’m always cranky. It’s all part of getting old.
You’ll understand when you’re older.
And if you have spare time, I hope we can talk even for a few minutes.
I’m always all by myself all the time, and have no one to talk to.
I know you’re busy with work.
Even if you’re not interested in my stories, please have time for me.
Do you remember when you were little? I used to listen to your stories about your teddy bear.
When the time comes, and I get ill and bedridden, I hope you have the patience to take care of me.
I’m sorry if I accidentally wet the bed or make a mess.
I hope you have the patience to take care of me during the last few moments of my life.
I’m not going to last much longer, anyway.
When the time of my death comes, I hope you hold my hand and give me strength to face death.
And don’t worry..
When I finally meet our creator, I will whisper in his ear to bless you. Because you loved your Mom and Dad.
Thank you so much for your care.
We love you.
With much love,
Mom and Dad

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Neyo - One In A Million

I happened to watch the video clip this afternoon while scrolling the channels on Astro and I was fascinated by Ne Yo's choreography in the video and the way he sings this song because it resembled the late Michael Jackson! The melody is so catchy that you feel like you want to stand and dance through the song.



Jet setter
Go getter
Nothing better
Call me Mr. been there done that
Top model chick to your every day hood rat
Less than all but more than a few
But I've never met one like you

Been all over the world
Done a little bit of everything
Little bit of everywhere
With a little bit of everyone
All the girls I've been with
Things I've seen it takes much to impress
But sure enough you go it makes your soul stand up from all the rest

I can be in love
But I just don't know
Baby one thing is for certain
Whatever you do it's working
All the girls don't matter
In your presence can't do what you do
There's a million girls around but I don't see no one but you

Girl you're so one in a million
You are
Baby you're the best I ever had
Best I ever had
And I'm certain that
There ain't nothing better
No there ain't nothing better than this

You're not a regular girl
You don't give a damn about your look
Talking about I can't do it for you
But you can do it for yourself
Even though that ain't so
Baby cause my dough don't know how to end
But that independent thing I'm with it
All we do is win baby

I could be in love
But I just don't know
Baby one thing is for certain
Ne-yo One In A Million lyrics found on http://www.directlyrics.com/neyo-one-in-a-million-lyrics.html

Whatever you do it's working
All the girls don't matter
In your presence can't do what you do
There's a million girls around but I don't see no one but you

Baby you're so one in a million
You are
Baby you're the best I ever had
Best I ever had
And I'm certain that
There ain't nothing better
No there ain't nothing better than this
Girl you're so one in a million
You are
Baby you're the best I ever had
Best I ever had
And I'm certain that
There ain't nothing better
No there ain't nothing better than this

Timing girl
Only one in the world
Just one of a kind
She mine

Ooh all that I can think about is what this thing could be
A future baby
Baby you're one of a kind
That means that you're the only one for me
Only one for me
Baby (girl) you're so one in a million
You are
Baby you're the best I ever had
Best I ever had
And I'm certain that
There ain't nothing better
No there ain't nothing better than this
Girl you're so one in a million
You are
Baby you're the best I ever had
Best I ever had
And I'm certain that
There ain't nothing better
No there ain't nothing better than this

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

42 things that change when you have a baby

I subscribed babycenter.com articles and it was very informative especially things about children. Here's a very good one to be shared with all mommies AND daddies out there.

Delisha and Darwish
Source: www.babycenter.com


What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [See a reader's perspective in #22, below.]

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...
1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara
[Many readers begged to differ, saying things like, " I disagree with number 12. My dogs are my additional children," "Nothing about previous babies, whether two- or four-legged, changes when a new miracle comes along," "My dog will never be 'just a dog," and "This is sad to me. My dog is still my baby too."]
13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom
16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona
17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara
18. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution. — Anon.
19. You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart. — Brooke&Boys
20. You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them. — Anon.
21. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts. — Anon.
22. In response to #2 [above], I'd say that where you were once afraid, you're now fearless. I was always very timid and shy and let myself get walked all over … but now where my kid's concerned, I'll speak my mind and really connect with my inner "b"! — gummismom
23. The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect. — japanese_macaque
24. Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING! — DylanLsMom
25. No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!" — Anon.
26. You want to take better care of yourself for your child. — Treasor
27. You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo." — littlehulk2008

Monday, November 15, 2010

Breastfeeding 101

I've promised my dear friend, Sarah, who is currently pregnant with baby no.2 about breastfeeding. She didn't managed to breastfeed her first child and she is determine to breastfeed her new baby. She even bought Spectra Breast Pump (I'm not sure which version), to help her when she's back at work.

This 101 (The definition of 101 is "Basic introduction") is based on my own experience with 5 children and trust me, if I can do it,  same goes to you! When I was pregnant with my first child, I don't have any idea about feeding baby, with my own breasts and all I can think was I need to buy high quality bottle and milk for my baby. My mum was a nurse (she passed away 4 years ago due to cervical cancer) and she always brought back many kinds of pamphlets, brochures, booklets and other types of reading materials regarding babies, healths and stuffs. A small booklet on breastfeeding caught my eye and after reading it, I held on the book religiously like it's some kind of a live saving book. Hahahaha.. My mum never talks about breastfeeding although she worked at Miri General Hospital where they swore on breastfeeding policy and baby friendly and I was kind of intrigued with this knowledge that I've discovered. After reading it from cover to cover, I promised myself to breastfeed exclusively (exclusive breastfeeding means that an infant receives only breastmilk with no additional foods or liquids, not even water).

I always listen to the most common reason of not breastfeeding their children by lots of woman: NOT ENOUGH MILK IS BEING PRODUCE by their breasts. This is a total bullshit for me because, regardless your shape and size of breasts, it produces milk when enough stimulation is being made i.e; from baby sucking or breast pump sucking. When you breastfeed on demand (every time baby cries or giving the cue of being hungry, you MUST feed him with your breasts), milk is constantly being produced and the cycles always run through the same process. If you only breastfeed WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO, then, that is the main cause of shortage of milk supply! And the next main reason of not enough milk supply is, women tend to jump into a diet regime as soon as they delivered the baby, for fearing getting stuck with all the fats that had been accumulated through their pregnancy. STRICTLY NO DIET when you breastfeed, just enjoy the bonding between you and your baby through breastfeeding and when he's older, then, you can think about diet and getting back to shape. Don't be selfish, think about the life insurance (breastmilk) that you are giving to your baby. They deserve the best from you and besides, it's free!

My mum didn't gave me much information because she told me that she only breastfed all 4 of us siblings when she was on her confinement days due to lack of milk. And, nobody told me about breastfeeding is not an easy task, especially when it's your first baby and you have no support around you. Let me tell you about my first baby delivery experience. I was 21 years old when I gave birth to my first born and my hubby was 31 years old. My mum went to Kuching for radiotherapy for her cervical cancer treatment (Stage IIA) and she wasn't around during my labor. My younger sister (she was 18 years old at that time) had just came back for a short break from her college at Kuala Lumpur. On 7th June 2004 at 4 am, I noticed a brown spot on my pantiliners when I went to the toilet and after calling my mum, I told my husband that it was time for the baby to come out. We went to the late Dr Chin's clinic and after checking me, he asked me to checked in Miri City Medical Centre and wait for him there because I was already 3 cm dilated. 

After making ourselves comfortable at the ward, Dr Chin induced me and he told me that being the first time delivery, it'll take time and I have to be patient plus the pain will be more intense because of the inducement. True to his word, the contraction started and it felt like I was ripped on the stomach! Every 4 hours, they'll inject me with some kind of drug to let me relax because the dilation is taking such a long time to open up to 10 cm. I was constantly dozed to sleep and talks in my sleep about hitting by a bus, asking my sister to stab me with a knife. What a nightmare! Every time I cried, my hubby and my sister also cried and even my hubby promised me that this is the only time he'll burdened me with this pain of baby delivery (but he broke the promise by sending me 4 times more to the labor room!).  I couldn't walk properly because of the drugs and finally the next day, on 7 am, Dr Chin broke my water sac to make the dilation process faster. Around 11.24am, 8th June 2004, I delivered Dayana Badriyah at 3.3kg. 

Before the delivery, I've told the nurses that I want to breastfeed the baby, so they asked me to start right away after the baby was born. There was a good sister (head of the nurses) who taught me how to breastfeed and latch the baby properly and at that time, everything seems very easy and in place. As soon as we're back home, everything was out of place. The baby was constantly crying, my breasts were sore, chapped on the nipples, I was having high fever because of breast mastitis and the funniest of all was because of my chapped nipples, I have to express my milk and spoon fed my baby, so, I asked my sister to pump it for me while I held the suction cup. I was using the cheap, manual breast pump with Camera brand and it had a weird looking illustration of a woman pumping out her milk. Both of us were laughing and crying at the same time. Hahahahahahah.. and she told me that that was going to be her last time to be sprayed by my milk and she was totally disgusted by it! So hilarious!


My mum's family, being a traditional chinese family, didn't give me moral supports and every time my baby cried, they said that that was because she was not full enough after each feeding. But, when I went to my baby's pediatrician for her monthly jab and check ups, her weight was very good and doctor was satisfied and even encouraged me to not to stop breastfeeding. Due to lack of experience, I always hid inside any changing rooms if I need to breastfeed my baby while going shopping. I was always stress while doing it for fear of taking too much time in the changing room. Luckily, with enough determination, I successfully breastfeed her for such a long time and even when I gave birth to her brother, Danish, 2 years later, she still shared the milk with him. Even now, if I express my milk into a cup, she'll happily gulps it like it's the best milk in the world! I'm so proud of her. I can see the effects of the breast milk on her especially on her studies where she got number 1 in her class for two times and she is studying in a Chinese kindergarten!

While pregnant with my second baby on the year of 2006, I equipped myself with more knowledge that I gather from the internet. I bought my few first breastfeeding clothes from www.blessedmums.com and bought Triumph's nursing bra (I don't like it because it's not sexy and unattractive but serves the purpose very well). At that time, I can easily breastfeed Danish while I'm shopping and no more rushing to the changing rooms. I just breastfed him straightaway while he was in the carrier bag and I cover him with a cloth so that no censored views were exposed.

With 3rd, 4th and current baby, every thing is done with a snap. Although it's 2010 now, breastfeeding in the public still raises some eyebrows and even the nurses at my gynae clinic (Dr Lee at MCMC) offered me lots of lactation milk supplies enough for 1 year because they told me that they are not many women who breastfeed their baby longer than 3 months. OMG! What an eye opener!

So, here are some tips that I can conclude about breastfeeding based on my own experience with 5 children:

1. Don't listen to any negative remarks from anybody even it's from your own mum!

2. Determination is important. Never give up no matter how hard it looks like.

3. Drink lots of water and if you can, drink proper lactating milk and add in some supplements like fish oil, spirulina, calciums.

4. Don't simply take any medication whether from your doctor or pharmacist. Never fail to inform your medical practitioner that you are breastfeeding so that they can give you proper medication that is safe for your child.

5. Try to find proper nursing bras or clothes to make feeding easier and if you can't afford, try using double clothes. I always use a singlet or sleeveless shirt underneath my blouse or shirt when I'm going out so that there's no flesh exposed. 
6. Putting your baby inside a baby carrier or a baby sling is the easiest way to breast feeding in style and with an ease.

7. If anybody's looking at you while you're breastfeeding like you are doing something weird or guilty, just smile with your sweetest smile and just walk away from them.

8. Just remember this: In Islam, a woman gets one merit / reward (pahala) for every single drop of milk that she gives to her baby.



I'll update more information in future. Time to cook dinner!


Spaghetti with cream sauce and mussels



My hubby bought Tally's Green Shell Mussels  few days ago at Boulevard Hypermarket and I was bored with the same recipe that I always do with the mussels (maybe in future entry I'll post that recipe). I happen to have a packet of San Remo Spaghetti left in the kitchen, so I decided to make Spaghetti with cream sauce and mussels. Danish, my second child, who is not crazy about eating, had 3 bowls of the pasta! Talking about how yummy it tastes and the great thing about is it's nutritious for a growing child! It's simple and easy, and who says cooking is hard! Can also be serve to your partner / spouse for a romantic quickie lunch or dinner.


                    Diva Spaghetti with Cream Sauce and Mussels


Ingredients:
A packet of spaghetti (linguine can also be use)
2 cups of water
1 cup of milk
1 small can (170gm) Nestle cream
2 cubes of Maggi chicken stock
1 can of button mushrooms - slice into pieces
4 cloves of garlic - diced
Pepper
3 tbsp flour - mix with 5 tbsp water in a small bowl
1 box of green shell mussel 


1. Cook pasta according to the instruction on the packet. Strain.
2. Boil water in a big pot and add in mussels for 5 minutes until nearly cook. Take off the shells and strain the mussels from water. Put aside.
3. Sautee garlic in a pot until brown and fragrant. Add water and milk. Bring to boil.
4. Add in cream, mushrooms and chicken cube. Stir and let it boil. 
5. Add in flour mix to thicken the sauce a little bit. If you want it to be a very thick sauce, add more flour mix. Stir well.
6. When it's thicken, add in the mussels and pepper. Season it well.
7. Scoop enough amount of spaghetti/pasta on a plate and pour enough sauce on it, not forgetting the mussels and mushrooms.
8. Enjoy while it's hot.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Teh Tarik

I don't know what teh tarik is called in English so I googled for the definition of teh tarik from Wikipedia:

Teh tarik (literally "pulled tea" or 拉茶 in Mandarin) is a hot tea beverage which can be commonly found in restaurants, outdoor stalls and kopi tiams in MalaysiaSingaporeand Brunei. Its name is derived from the pouring process of "pulling" the drink during preparation. It is made from black tea and condensed milk.


I love drinking teh tarik but I rather make it my own so that I can cntrol the sweetness of the tea. Here's my recipe of the tarik.






                                                     Teh Tarik Diva


Ingredients: 1 full ladle - medium size (1 senduk penuh) black tea cap 888
                   2 full ladle of condensed milk
                   1/2 full ladle of evaporated milk
                   1 litre of hot boiling water
                   Brown Sugar (optional)


1. Mix tea with hot water. Strain the tea powder out after stirring and letting it sits for about a minute.
2. Mix in milks and add sugar if you want it to be sweeter.
3. Pour inside a mug with a long pull to create bubble foam.
4. Enjoy it hot or cold with ices.

Easy Ouf of the box Chocolate Cupcakes

Add caption
I felt so tired today after cleaning the children's toys. They have around 6 big boxes of toys and I have to sort them out accordingly. Luckily, hubby was working today so I don't have to cook anything fancy for lunch and dinner. For dinner, I only made bone soup using my precious Empress pressure cooker that makes life easier. Wow, sound just like an ad from the TV. Hahahahha..




Enough taking about that and let's get back to the topic. So, my children were constantly looking for food and they had finished their Lonbisco Cake packets, and that made me felt so guilty for letting them eating not-so-nutritious-and-too-sweet cake, so I quickly defrost butter and and made Classic Chocolate Cupcakes from Green's Baking range. You can go to www.greensbaking.com.au to learn more about it. It includes frosting mix for the cake. This is my first time using this product and it turns out GREAT and it doesn't have the weird-out-of-a-box taste. I've tried so many different products of cakes mix, from local brands and imported ones. This Green's is the best by far and the price is not as pricey as Nona's brand. I've bought it from Ta Kiong and I'm not sure where else you can get it from. The recipe requires you to mix all the butter, eggs, milk and the cake mix together at once but I prefer to mix the butter first, then the eggs, then the milk and lastly the cake mix to produce lighter and fluffier cake. It's actually a whole piece of cake but I've made it into cupcakes and I've omitted the margarine with butter (margarine is what the cake mix need but I prefer butter) because butter is a healthier choice and it's nicer. Try it, and you'll love it! I bake it inside the microwave and it only took around 18 minutes to cook using auto menu cookies (I'm using National Microwave). The results: the whole family loves it and even my fussy-not-so-crazy about-cakes hubby loves the cupcake! Nice to be eaten with a warm cup of tea.

Eating the frosting out from the mixing bowl

Colon Cleansing while nursing baby?

I am thinking about doing colon cleansing because nowadays, every time I went to the toilet to do 'the business' I always felt not satisfied and it seems like 'it' won't go out any further and still stucked in my tummy. So, I googled in the internet about the safety of colon cleansing wile nursing baby Darwish but most answers don't approve of doing it because our body are releasing the toxins stuck in our colon back into our system by doing this cleansing. The toxins might get into our milk and harm our baby. Here's something to ponder and guide us about colon cleansing while nursing. As for me, I'll stay away from the thoughts about doing colon cleanse for the time being and might reconsider it maybe next year when Darwish weans fron the breasts.


Source:http://www.ehow.com/way_5318128_body-cleansing-nursing.html


Breastfeeding women are often interested in body cleansing programs, since many fear that unidentified toxins will contaminate breast milk. While it is important for nursing mothers to live a healthy lifestyle, many of the body-cleansing programs sold in health food stores are inappropriate for breastfeeding moms. The harsh laxatives and diuretics in these products can harm the mother and baby by drawing precious water and nutrients out of the body-- and nursing moms need as much nutrition as they can get. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives.

    Liver Detox

  1. Most body-cleansing programs include "liver detox" formulas, which contain liver-supporting herbs like andrographis and milk thistle. Lactation experts like Dr. Jack Newman note that herbs are very unlikely to have any effect on the baby, since only trace amounts can find their way into breast milk. Still, because these herbs have not been studied for use in breastfeeding mothers, it is wise to avoid them except under special circumstances. Breastfeeding women with diagnosed liver disease may choose to use these compounds under the guidance of a physician, but the potential benefits are not worth the risks for the majority of patients.

    A safer liver detox may also be the simplest (and cheapest). Consume a diet containing few foods that tax the liver. Eliminate organ meats and alcohol, which can severely tax the liver, and increase your intake of raw fruits and vegetables. Salads made with dandelion greens-- traditional liver-support herbs-- may also be useful.

    Colon Cleansing

  1. Colon cleansing is one of the most popular forms of body-cleansing, and it can also be one of the most dangerous. Most colon-cleanse programs use strong stimulant laxatives like cascara sagrada and senna, which can cause cramping, fluid loss, nutrient loss and diarrhea. The loss of nutrients and fluid can be dangerous for a nursing mother.

    While there is little evidence to support the routine use of laxatives for cleansing, there is no doubt that a high-fiber diet can help to detoxify the colon and support general well-being. Nursing moms can use fiber sources, like psyllium supplements and fresh vegetables, to provide cramp-free colon cleansing. Aloe vera, which lubricates bowel movements, can also be useful and is safe for nursing moms.
  2. Urinary Health

  3. Body cleansers often utilize strong herbal diuretics to flush fluid from the body. While this can enable temporary weight loss through dehydration, it does little to support the overall health of the kidneys-- and it may actually damage them in the long run. Because breastfeeding women have a high need for fluids, diuretic herbs are especially dangerous.

    Cranberries are a lactation-friendly supplement that actually will support the health of the urinary tract. Nursing mothers can safely consume cranberry extract in the form of a capsule or tablet, or they can enjoy a tall glasses of cranberry juice each day. Healthy food choices are the safest, most effective detox program for everyone-- especially nursing mothers.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Caramel Pudding

Here's a recipe that's been requested by one of my hubby's staff. Patience is very much needed in doing this caramel pudding or you'll burn the sugar (caramel). To get exact measurement, you will need to use measuring cup that can be buy for one set that consist of several measurements: 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 and 1/8. The other important thing that is needed in this recipe is a whisk. As for the ramekins, I bought mine from a low price store in Kuching and I think you can buy it from Supersave here in Miri. I reduce the caramel measurement because I'm not keen to serve sugary treats to my children. For my friends who requested recipes to be on bilingual language (BM and English), I'm so sorry because I don't have time to do it. If you  don't understand anything, please leave a comment, and I'll explain it in BM. Enjoy!

Whisk and ramekins

Measuring cups




                                                 Diva Caramel Pudding

Ready to be eaten by my hubby
Ingredients:
5 eggs
500 gm milk
1/3 cups sugar


For caramel : 1/3 cups sugar, 1/8 cups water.

Pudding in a ramekin
1. For preparing the caramel, pour sugar and water into a pan and with a slow heat, gently swirl the pan until bubbles of foam created from the pan and turn off the heat when the color changes to a nice golden brown. DO NOT USE ANYTHING TO STIR THE CARAMEL, JUST SWIRL THE PAN! Pour into 4 or 5 ramekins, depending on how thick you want the caramel to be. You have to do it fast or else the caramel will harden.


2. Cook the milk and sugar until it dissolved but DO NOT BOIL it. Turn off the heat. It's better to use a whisk so that you'll know when the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool.


3. In a different bowl, gently beat the eggs with a whisk, just enough to break the yolks and the whites until they are well mixed. Pour the milk and sugar (after it's cool down) into the eggs mixture and gently whisk it til it's well blended. Strain the mixture so that you'll get a nice pudding without any bubble hole on the pudding.


4. Pour the mixture into the ramekins. Cover it with aluminium foils. Steam it for 30-40 minutes. Let it cool and chill it for at least 1 hour.


5. To serve, top it with chocolate syrup or whip cream or as it is.

The Help

Here's my review on this new novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I finished reading it last week and true to the comments and reviews from the book about the book, I pushed myself to read it up to 2 am in the morning because that is the only time I can read without any interruption from my children!


SO, here's a basic synopsis of The Help that I took from Wikipedia so that you will have an idea about the story line:

The novel is told from the perspective of three characters: Aibileen Clark, a middle-aged African-American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny Jackson, an African-American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family's struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared. These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.


After reading it, I was so inspired by the black maids because they were really sincere on doing their jobs as maids or helper. Not like people nowadays, they are not doing their jobs to perfection, even though their jobs requires them to sit in a well air-cond room and work. Reading this novel always inflicts something in me because it seems like my daily chores really resembles the chores that had to be done by the black helpers and looking at my hand right now, you can see that it's not as soft as other woman's hand where it's hard and coarse by detergents, water and stuffs. But I do not regret my choice of being a full time housewife and mother to 5 children (and still counting) and I think of it as a blessing of my life. I secretly hope and think of opening The Help agency where I 'll teach local ladies to do house chores efficiently and cook nice foods. But that's just a dream. Who wants to work for other people, cleaning their houses, doing laundries, taking of their children and at the end of the day, coming back to their own family and tending her family's need. Hmm...  


Anyway, I give this novel the rating of 10 out of 10  because of its marvelous story and it didn't fail to inflict many emotions from me while reading it. A DEFINITE BUY and as the phrase on the cover of the novel says: IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK, LET THIS BE IT! 


P.S:  I'm so excited to know that a movie based on this novel is due to be play next year! Hurrah!

Laksa Lobster Sarawak

I've made this meal a couple of weeks before but didn't manage to post an entry of it so enjoy eating this laksa version of mine.


                                                    Laksa Lobster Sarawak Diva


1 packet of bihun
1 packet of 450gm laksa sarawak paste (Cap Helang is the BEST)
50 cent taugeh
4 eggs
1 kg lobster - cleaned
1 packet of coconut powder / 250ml coconut milk
1 piece of chicken breast - boil and shred to pieces
Salt, sugar to taste
3 tbs of tarmarind juice (the thicker the better)
1 stalk of coriander leaves (daun ketumbar) - sliced into pieces


1. Boil the laksa sarawak paste per instruction on the packet. Add in the flavors and coconut milk to taste. When its boiled, add in the lobsters and turn off the heat as soon as the lobsters cooked. Do not overcook the lobster.
2. Beat all of the eggs and fry it. Then, cut into pieces. Put in a bowl.
3. Boil the taugeh til cook. Strain. Put in a bowl.
4. Boil the bihun. Strain and put aside.
5. Boil and shred the chicken into small pieces. Put in a bowl.
6. Get a big bowl and assemble it to fit one potion of meal that is enough for one person and add bihun, taugeh, chicken, eggs, the laksa soup, lobster and some coriander leaves.


Enjoy while it's hot!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Bingka Cheese

I always buy this Bingka Cheese from a lady at Pasar Malam and I noticed that ever since Bazaar Ramadhan, she's no longer selling it. I wonder why she stops selling kuih. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Lisa, for giving me this recipe that I treasure with love. Hahahahha.. Enjoy!



                                  Bingka Cheese


Ingredients:


A: 
1 packet (13gm) agar-agar rose brand - plain flavor
1 ltr water
1 cup sugar


B:
250 gm cream cheese
250 butter
1 1/2 cups flour
3 large eggs
1/2 cup condensed milk (susu pekat manis)


1. Cook the agar-agar as per instruction on the packet.
2. Beat butter and sugar til fluffy.
3. Add in cream cheese. Beat again.
4. Add in eggs, one by one and beat again till well mix.
5. Add in condensed milk and flour and lastly add the agar-agar mixture. Mix well with a ladle.
6. Pour in 8x8 inches pan and bake at 180 degrees using water bath (the cake mixture's pan is put on top of a pan with water) for 40 to 50 minutes.
7. After it's done, let it cool and put in the fridge for about 1 hour.
8. Serve it with hot coffee or hot tea. Enjoy!

Nestum Milo Cake

My children loves snacking and usually after playing, they'll ask me to make something as their snacks. I usually buy-of-the-shelves-snacks such as ready made cakes, crackers and keropok (yes, it's WRONG but sometimes I pity them when they ask for keropok and they are on their best behavior). Yesterday, I was on a great mood to bake a simple yet nutritious cake after buying 6 tubes of 250gm Golden Churn butter at E-Mart at RM3.79 each! What a great deal! The color of the cake is a little bit ugly because I was rushing to take the chocolate coloring but I took the wrong bottle, it's pink color because baby Darwish was screaming on top of his lung! But the cake taste great and it's my own recipe. Enjoy!


                         Nestum Milo Cake


Ingredients:
250 gm butter (Golden Churn is the best)
1 cup brown sugar
6 large eggs
2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup corn flour
1 cup fresh milk
1/2 cup nestum
1 cup Milo
1 tsp baking powder


1. Beat butter and sugar til fluffy.
2. Add in eggs one by one and beat again til light.
3. Add in milk, nestum and Milo and mix well.
4. Add in plain flour, corn flour and baking powder and mix well again.
5. Bake at 180 degrees Celcius for 40-50 minutes or til ready.
6. Enjoy with your children with a glass of warm milk. Enjoy!


             

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Mommy Brain

Being Spaced Out, Forgetful Aren't the Only Changes That Come With Motherhood...


I came across this caption while I was searching about mummy brain. So, what is mummy brain?Mommy Brain used to describe that spacey-deprived state when new moms tend to forget things and act scatterbrained -- may not be the whole story on what happens to women's brains after giving birth. I realized that my memory seems so poor that I can forget things just in a blink of the eye. This is frightening me because after watching a Hindustan movie called U,Me Aur Hum where the movie revolves around the story of a doctor (husband) has to face the wife's illness; Alzheimer. And I'm pretty sure after delivering 5 babies in 7 years of marriage have taken its toll on my memory!

I've Googled everywhere to find out more about mommy brain and this is the best info that I've found and want to share with all mums out there. And to dads: Be more alert to your wife and love your wife dearly. Don't simple get angry on small matters especially when your wife seems so forgetful because that comes in the package of motherhood. Accept the fact that your wife is sacrificing her memory to become a mother to your children. I'm totally pissed off by husbands who doesn't care and appreciate their wives and never conscious about the wives' well being. Typical man's attitude.

SOURCE:simplemom.net/battling-mommy-brain-6-strategies-to-boost-brain-health/ 


While neuroscientists confirm it is a very real issue resulting from powerful endocrine and brain chemistry shifts, I suspect an equally likely culprit is how many things are vying for my time and attention. As we know, running a household, raising our children, and managing the needs of a typical family easily can send the sharpest of us into mental meltdown. Here are six realistic strategies to employ that will set us up for a smoother day and strengthen our mental muscle.

1. Keep connecting. There is a strong connection between maintaining healthy friendships and improved mental health, including memory and focus

2. Move the body, strengthen the mind.Being physically active is essential to keep our minds well oxygenated and our brain connections strong.

3. Use structure. A system for routine, everyday things can be a tremendous help for scattered minds.

4. Brain workouts. Brain teasers, word puzzles, and logic problems are fantastic for your mind.

5. Good night, sleep tight. The truth is, whether or not we get it, enough sleep is key for our health, both physical and mental.

6. Food for thought. There are many foods that are excellent for a healthy brain such as bluebery, healthy fats, cocoa beans.

My final thoughts: Just embrace motherhood and everything that comes with it, then you'll see the bright side of it and how beautiful your life is as a mother to your children.