hoo.. better insight than my previous post on baking powder.
Both baking powder and baking soda are chemical leavening agents that cause batters to rise when baked. The leavener enlarges the bubbles which are already present in the batter produced through creaming of ingredients. When a recipe contains baking powder and baking soda, the baking powder does most of the leavening. The baking soda is added to neutralize the acids in the recipe plus to add tenderness and some leavening. When using baking powder or baking soda in a recipe, make sure to sift or whisk with the other dry ingredients before adding to the batter to ensure uniformity. Otherwise the baked good can have large holes.
Baking powder consists of baking soda, one or more acid salts (cream of tartar and sodium aluminum sulfate) plus cornstarch to absorb any moisture so a reaction does not take place until a liquid is added to the batter. Most baking powder used today is double-acting which means it reacts to liquid and heat and happens in two stages. The first reaction takes place when you add the baking powder to the batter and it is moistened. One of the acid salts reacts with the baking soda and produces carbon dioxide gas. The second reaction takes place when the batter is placed in the oven. The gas cells expand causing the batter to rise. Because of the two stages, baking of the batter can be delayed for about 15-20 minutes without it losing its leavening power.
Too much baking powder can cause the batter to be bitter tasting. It can also cause the batter to rise rapidly and then collapse. (i.e. The air bubbles in the batter grow too large and break causing the batter to fall.) Cakes will have a coarse, fragile crumb with a fallen center. Too little baking powder results in a tough cake that has poor volume and a compact crumb.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda (alkali) is about four times as strong as baking powder. It is used in recipes that contain an acidic ingredient (e.g. vinegar, citrus juice, sour cream, yogurt, buttermilk, chocolate, cocoa (not Dutch-processed), honey, molasses (also brown sugar), fruits and maple syrup). Baking soda starts to react and release carbon dioxide gas as soon as it is added to the batter and moistened. Make sure to bake the batter immediately.
Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a sealed container in a cool dry place. Too much baking soda will result in a soapy taste with a coarse, open crumb. Baking soda causes reddening of cocoa powder when baked, hence the name Devil's Food Cake.
It has been ages since i had my diary written somewhere.. sometimes i feel like starting again but never get to do it.. now with the convenience of blog.. i may begin where i left off..
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Baking Knowledge - Butter
Found this information useful. Copied from a website. Now i know the difference btw salted & unsalted butter and how it is used in baking
Butter is produced by churning cream until the fats separate from the liquid (buttermilk) and the butter is in a semi-solid state. Most butter sold today is from cow's milk but butter can also be produced from the milk of buffalo, camel, goat, ewe, and mares. It is believed that the Nomads first discovered butter-making by mistake. They are said to have collected milk from cattle and goats, separated the cream from the milk, and continuously mixed the cream until it turned into butter.
In North America butter must contain at least 80 percent butterfat, a maximum of 16% water and 2% milk solids. Sometimes a coloring agent (Annatto) is added to butter to give it a deep yellow color. Annatto is also used for consistency of color year round as the natural color of butter can vary from a creamy white to a golden yellow. The color depends on the diet of the dairy cow. Regions that have the richest pasture land are said to produce the best butter.
Butter is graded by letter code, and sometimes a numerical number, according to flavor, color, texture, aroma and body. AA (93 score), A (92 score), and B (90 score) are the letter codes and numerical scores used. The characteristics to look for in a good butter at room temperature are that it is dense with no air bubbles, should not be lumpy, sticky or brittle, and no sweating.
Butter comes in two forms salted and unsalted (sweet). Unsalted butter has a shelf life of around 3 months refrigerated because it contains no preservatives. Salted butter has a longer shelf life (up to 5 months) because salt acts as a preservative. However, salt can overpower the sweet flavor of the butter and can also mask any odors. The amount of salt added to salted butter can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is hard to know how much extra salt to add to your recipe. The rule of thumb is that if you are substituting salted for unsalted butter in a recipe, omit the extra salt in the recipe (i.e. Omit ¼ teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup (113 grams) of butter).
Most butter has an expiry date on it. It should be stored well-wrapped in foil away from any strong odors and in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Foil is used to prevent exposure to light and air which can cause the butter to oxidize and become stale. Check your butter's freshness by cutting a small slice and the outside of the butter should be the same color as the inside. If the outside is a darker color than the inside the butter has oxidized. You can freeze butter for around six months. Just make sure you defrost the butter overnight in the refrigerator before using it. It is best not to use butter that has been frozen for baking, as freezing can affect the texture of the butter and change its moisture content. When the butter thaws it can be grainy with droplets of water.
Butter adds flavor and texture to your baking and helps to keep it fresh. The temperature of the butter is very important in baking. When room temperature butter is used in your recipe this means your butter should be between 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) and 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). This temperature allows the maximum amount of air to be beaten into your batter. This creaming or beating of your butter or butter and sugar creates air bubbles that your leavener (baking powder or baking soda) will enlarge during baking. Most experts recommend 4 to 5 minutes of creaming the butter for maximum aeration.
Cold butter is used in some baking (pie crusts). With this method the butter is not absorbed as much by the starch in the flour and layers result when baked creating flakiness.
Whipped butter is butter that has had air whipped into it to increase its volume. It should never be used in baking. Whipped butter is easier to spread, even when cold.
Butter is produced by churning cream until the fats separate from the liquid (buttermilk) and the butter is in a semi-solid state. Most butter sold today is from cow's milk but butter can also be produced from the milk of buffalo, camel, goat, ewe, and mares. It is believed that the Nomads first discovered butter-making by mistake. They are said to have collected milk from cattle and goats, separated the cream from the milk, and continuously mixed the cream until it turned into butter.
In North America butter must contain at least 80 percent butterfat, a maximum of 16% water and 2% milk solids. Sometimes a coloring agent (Annatto) is added to butter to give it a deep yellow color. Annatto is also used for consistency of color year round as the natural color of butter can vary from a creamy white to a golden yellow. The color depends on the diet of the dairy cow. Regions that have the richest pasture land are said to produce the best butter.
Butter is graded by letter code, and sometimes a numerical number, according to flavor, color, texture, aroma and body. AA (93 score), A (92 score), and B (90 score) are the letter codes and numerical scores used. The characteristics to look for in a good butter at room temperature are that it is dense with no air bubbles, should not be lumpy, sticky or brittle, and no sweating.
Butter comes in two forms salted and unsalted (sweet). Unsalted butter has a shelf life of around 3 months refrigerated because it contains no preservatives. Salted butter has a longer shelf life (up to 5 months) because salt acts as a preservative. However, salt can overpower the sweet flavor of the butter and can also mask any odors. The amount of salt added to salted butter can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and it is hard to know how much extra salt to add to your recipe. The rule of thumb is that if you are substituting salted for unsalted butter in a recipe, omit the extra salt in the recipe (i.e. Omit ¼ teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup (113 grams) of butter).
Most butter has an expiry date on it. It should be stored well-wrapped in foil away from any strong odors and in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Foil is used to prevent exposure to light and air which can cause the butter to oxidize and become stale. Check your butter's freshness by cutting a small slice and the outside of the butter should be the same color as the inside. If the outside is a darker color than the inside the butter has oxidized. You can freeze butter for around six months. Just make sure you defrost the butter overnight in the refrigerator before using it. It is best not to use butter that has been frozen for baking, as freezing can affect the texture of the butter and change its moisture content. When the butter thaws it can be grainy with droplets of water.
Butter adds flavor and texture to your baking and helps to keep it fresh. The temperature of the butter is very important in baking. When room temperature butter is used in your recipe this means your butter should be between 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) and 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). This temperature allows the maximum amount of air to be beaten into your batter. This creaming or beating of your butter or butter and sugar creates air bubbles that your leavener (baking powder or baking soda) will enlarge during baking. Most experts recommend 4 to 5 minutes of creaming the butter for maximum aeration.
Cold butter is used in some baking (pie crusts). With this method the butter is not absorbed as much by the starch in the flour and layers result when baked creating flakiness.
Whipped butter is butter that has had air whipped into it to increase its volume. It should never be used in baking. Whipped butter is easier to spread, even when cold.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
MaiD-ing
We r in the process of getting a FDW (Foreign Domestic Worker).Nowadays, employer needs to go through an assessment test. Must pass 80% to get the certificate to proceed with the application. so cumbersome.
But, tell you what, the exam is really simple and you re-try many many attempts till you pass it all. I did it once and got 39/40 (97.46%).. muahhh.. so happy cos after so long never take test/exams..suddenly feel nervous..luckily it's easy.
So, with the cert obtained, we can now proceed to the next stage.. look for certified agency .. then choose my maid.. hoo.. so i'll be "Lao Pan" for he very first time. wonder how it feels to have a helper at home..
Fingers cross that i'll get a good one.
But, tell you what, the exam is really simple and you re-try many many attempts till you pass it all. I did it once and got 39/40 (97.46%).. muahhh.. so happy cos after so long never take test/exams..suddenly feel nervous..luckily it's easy.
So, with the cert obtained, we can now proceed to the next stage.. look for certified agency .. then choose my maid.. hoo.. so i'll be "Lao Pan" for he very first time. wonder how it feels to have a helper at home..
Fingers cross that i'll get a good one.
WaRm-Up
It has been weeks since the weather turned this hot !
I really cant bear it anymore! fan is blowing non stop at home.
Every lunch time is lingered with fear to go under the melting hot sun !
Especially pregnant woman, our body temperature increased. This is worsen by the weather ! gessss.. scary ! This reminds me of the global warming joke..
Last time people use to wear bigger and larger undies.. as it gets hotter, undergarment shrinks in size.. now, people wear super small g-strings..cos hot ! muahh..
Hopefully the weather will turn cooler..at least not the blazing hot sun as now. wasted all the water i drink.. cos evaporated to sweats.. and make me have to drink even more to keep hydrated ! Phew !!
I really cant bear it anymore! fan is blowing non stop at home.
Every lunch time is lingered with fear to go under the melting hot sun !
Especially pregnant woman, our body temperature increased. This is worsen by the weather ! gessss.. scary ! This reminds me of the global warming joke..
Last time people use to wear bigger and larger undies.. as it gets hotter, undergarment shrinks in size.. now, people wear super small g-strings..cos hot ! muahh..
Hopefully the weather will turn cooler..at least not the blazing hot sun as now. wasted all the water i drink.. cos evaporated to sweats.. and make me have to drink even more to keep hydrated ! Phew !!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
CookiNg Oil
Hoo..So use canola oil for cooking for better health.
Best Heart Benefits From Canola and Fish Oils -- Not Olive Oil
By Jeanie Lerche Davis
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/13/1728_55672?src=Inktomi&condition=Home%20&%20Top%20Stories
WebMD Medical NewsMarch 14, 2000 (Atlanta) -- Olive oil may be nearly as dangerous as saturated fat in clogging arteries, according to authors of a study comparing the effects of canola, olive, and fish oils. They presented their findings today at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
"We expected there to be no detrimental effects at all because they were all good oils. What we found is that two were good and one was not -- olive oil. Olive oil impaired vascular function just like a Big Mac or fries or Sara Lee cheesecake," says Robert Vogel, MD, head of cardiology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He tells WebMD that the study's results "represent a major change in terms of what we should be telling people about what they should eat."
Vogel has long been recognized for his work regarding diet and health. "There is such confusion in the population as far as what's good and what's bad," he says. His research specifically focuses on the endothelium, which is the lining of blood vessels such as arteries and veins. When the endothelium is injured, it triggers atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty substances on the blood vessel's walls that leads to heart disease.
His study is based on the famous Lyon Diet Heart Study, published in 1999, which showed that the low incidence of heart disease of coastal Mediterranean residents was due to a "Mediterranean diet" of bread, vegetables and fish, less meat (red meat replaced by poultry), fruit, and -- not olive oil -- but canola oil.
"Most people don't realize that the Lyon diet did not use olive oil. Volunteers in the study didn't particularly like the taste of olive oil, so they substituted with canola oil," says Vogel. "It's fascinating. ... Although they may have made part of their decision based on the tastes of the volunteers, it was actually a very smart thing to do."
In his study, Vogel and colleagues compared olive oil -- which is very much a part of a traditional Mediterranean diet -- with canola and fish oil. Ten volunteers, all with normal cholesterol levels, were given three meals composed of canola oil and bread, olive oil and bread, or salmon, with each meal totaling 50 g of fat.
Both before and after the meals, arterial blood flow in each volunteer's arm was measured using a technique that combines ultrasound and a blood pressure cuff. "We can watch what happens to the size of the artery when we increase blood flow. Normally, the artery should increase 10-15% in diameter. If it doesn't increase, you don't have normal [blood flow]," he tells WebMD. Arterial blood flow can be an indicator of whether the lining of the arteries -- the endothelium -- has been damaged, Vogel says.
The olive oil meal caused vessels to constrict by 34%, whereas the canola oil and salmon meals caused insignificant changes in blood vessels, Vogel reports. Because such constrictions injure the blood vessels' endothelium, they contribute to heart disease.
"We showed that omega-3 fats [the kind of fat found in fish] cause no impairment in [blood vessel] function, but olive oil with omega-9 fats does. The real importance is not whether it's monounsaturated or polyunsaturated; it's whether it's omega-3," Vogel says. Canola oil is enriched with omega-3.
Laurence Sperling, MD, medical director of preventive cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, reviewed the study for WebMD. "I think this is an interesting finding and it explores a bit more the impressive benefit that was seen in the Lyon Heart Trial," he tells WebMD. "There was a lot of speculation about the benefit -- was it due to various components of the diet ... or the fact that [Mediterranean people] eat a lot more foods prepared with olive oil?"
Noting the study's very small size, Sperling says that it is a "well-done study. There's a lot of good data to suggest that this is a good measure of the [health] of the blood vessel."
Ronald M. Krauss, MD, head of molecular medicine at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., tells WebMD that Vogel has been a leader in studying the ability of the blood vessels to dilate and allow more blood to flow. "His method of doing the measurement is pretty well established," Krauss says, however "this [study's] observation should be confirmed in larger studies and not interpreted to point the finger away from olive oil until we have a real clear picture whether this is consistent and until we understand the mechanism."
Vital Information:
In a small study comparing different types of oil, olive oil was found to be potentially damaging to blood vessels, while canola oil and fish oil were not harmful.
Canola oil and fish oil contain omega-3 fats, but olive oil contains omega-9 fats.
One expert cautions that more studies on a larger number of people are needed before these results can be confirmed.
Best Heart Benefits From Canola and Fish Oils -- Not Olive Oil
By Jeanie Lerche Davis
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/13/1728_55672?src=Inktomi&condition=Home%20&%20Top%20Stories
WebMD Medical NewsMarch 14, 2000 (Atlanta) -- Olive oil may be nearly as dangerous as saturated fat in clogging arteries, according to authors of a study comparing the effects of canola, olive, and fish oils. They presented their findings today at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
"We expected there to be no detrimental effects at all because they were all good oils. What we found is that two were good and one was not -- olive oil. Olive oil impaired vascular function just like a Big Mac or fries or Sara Lee cheesecake," says Robert Vogel, MD, head of cardiology at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He tells WebMD that the study's results "represent a major change in terms of what we should be telling people about what they should eat."
Vogel has long been recognized for his work regarding diet and health. "There is such confusion in the population as far as what's good and what's bad," he says. His research specifically focuses on the endothelium, which is the lining of blood vessels such as arteries and veins. When the endothelium is injured, it triggers atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty substances on the blood vessel's walls that leads to heart disease.
His study is based on the famous Lyon Diet Heart Study, published in 1999, which showed that the low incidence of heart disease of coastal Mediterranean residents was due to a "Mediterranean diet" of bread, vegetables and fish, less meat (red meat replaced by poultry), fruit, and -- not olive oil -- but canola oil.
"Most people don't realize that the Lyon diet did not use olive oil. Volunteers in the study didn't particularly like the taste of olive oil, so they substituted with canola oil," says Vogel. "It's fascinating. ... Although they may have made part of their decision based on the tastes of the volunteers, it was actually a very smart thing to do."
In his study, Vogel and colleagues compared olive oil -- which is very much a part of a traditional Mediterranean diet -- with canola and fish oil. Ten volunteers, all with normal cholesterol levels, were given three meals composed of canola oil and bread, olive oil and bread, or salmon, with each meal totaling 50 g of fat.
Both before and after the meals, arterial blood flow in each volunteer's arm was measured using a technique that combines ultrasound and a blood pressure cuff. "We can watch what happens to the size of the artery when we increase blood flow. Normally, the artery should increase 10-15% in diameter. If it doesn't increase, you don't have normal [blood flow]," he tells WebMD. Arterial blood flow can be an indicator of whether the lining of the arteries -- the endothelium -- has been damaged, Vogel says.
The olive oil meal caused vessels to constrict by 34%, whereas the canola oil and salmon meals caused insignificant changes in blood vessels, Vogel reports. Because such constrictions injure the blood vessels' endothelium, they contribute to heart disease.
"We showed that omega-3 fats [the kind of fat found in fish] cause no impairment in [blood vessel] function, but olive oil with omega-9 fats does. The real importance is not whether it's monounsaturated or polyunsaturated; it's whether it's omega-3," Vogel says. Canola oil is enriched with omega-3.
Laurence Sperling, MD, medical director of preventive cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, reviewed the study for WebMD. "I think this is an interesting finding and it explores a bit more the impressive benefit that was seen in the Lyon Heart Trial," he tells WebMD. "There was a lot of speculation about the benefit -- was it due to various components of the diet ... or the fact that [Mediterranean people] eat a lot more foods prepared with olive oil?"
Noting the study's very small size, Sperling says that it is a "well-done study. There's a lot of good data to suggest that this is a good measure of the [health] of the blood vessel."
Ronald M. Krauss, MD, head of molecular medicine at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., tells WebMD that Vogel has been a leader in studying the ability of the blood vessels to dilate and allow more blood to flow. "His method of doing the measurement is pretty well established," Krauss says, however "this [study's] observation should be confirmed in larger studies and not interpreted to point the finger away from olive oil until we have a real clear picture whether this is consistent and until we understand the mechanism."
Vital Information:
In a small study comparing different types of oil, olive oil was found to be potentially damaging to blood vessels, while canola oil and fish oil were not harmful.
Canola oil and fish oil contain omega-3 fats, but olive oil contains omega-9 fats.
One expert cautions that more studies on a larger number of people are needed before these results can be confirmed.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
GlimpSe of U...
My BB is now 1.2kg ..and put on another 4kg... sob sob..cry out LOUD..very very loud.. so scary to see my weight shooting up non-stop. nopause in between. how am i going to shed those kgs gained???
But,felt relief is that bb is healthy and normal. doc said bb is slightly bigger..another sob.cos that means if bb too big, harder to go for natural birth.. got to control what i eat le..
no more baking !
But,felt relief is that bb is healthy and normal. doc said bb is slightly bigger..another sob.cos that means if bb too big, harder to go for natural birth.. got to control what i eat le..
no more baking !
Monday, June 25, 2007
Popiah
finally im making popiah during weekend. the ingredients are not difficult to prepare but the process of wrapping was tiring..
but my popiahs are not bad.. crispy and nice..yum yum
Ingredients:
1. mengkuang
strip it thinly. put into a pot and add water to cover the mengkuangs. heat up. add dark soya sauce and pepper. shimmer till the water dry up and mengkuangs are soften.
2. carrot
strip it thinly. boil it with plain hot water
3. tau pok.
strip it. boil with hot water too
4. tauge (beansprout)
clean it and remove roots. boil with hot water too
5. popiah skin ( cover the skin with a clean clothes, as stated in the instructions)
Methods.
1. after all the ingredients 1/2/3/4 are ready (cooked & boiled), you can start to do the popiah wrapping
2. put a small amount of each ingredients ( or you can mix 2/3/4 in a bowl, easier) then warp the filling with the popiah skin. tighten the wrap with a bit of strach water at the end of the wrapping.
3. repeat till you finish all the fillings.
4. remaining popiah skin keep in freezer. the instructions said to keep in fridge with temperature -18 deg ? so i reckon it meant freezer.
5. deep fry the popiahs.
tada... one dish ready to consume. LGG loves it cos it is fried ! shake head! anything fried and crispy will be his favourite.
of course, i fried some bee hoon to go with the popiahs..
lots of work with the popiahs..spending whole afternoon in kictchen..phewww
Happy Cooking !
but my popiahs are not bad.. crispy and nice..yum yum
Ingredients:
1. mengkuang
strip it thinly. put into a pot and add water to cover the mengkuangs. heat up. add dark soya sauce and pepper. shimmer till the water dry up and mengkuangs are soften.
2. carrot
strip it thinly. boil it with plain hot water
3. tau pok.
strip it. boil with hot water too
4. tauge (beansprout)
clean it and remove roots. boil with hot water too
5. popiah skin ( cover the skin with a clean clothes, as stated in the instructions)
Methods.
1. after all the ingredients 1/2/3/4 are ready (cooked & boiled), you can start to do the popiah wrapping
2. put a small amount of each ingredients ( or you can mix 2/3/4 in a bowl, easier) then warp the filling with the popiah skin. tighten the wrap with a bit of strach water at the end of the wrapping.
3. repeat till you finish all the fillings.
4. remaining popiah skin keep in freezer. the instructions said to keep in fridge with temperature -18 deg ? so i reckon it meant freezer.
5. deep fry the popiahs.
tada... one dish ready to consume. LGG loves it cos it is fried ! shake head! anything fried and crispy will be his favourite.
of course, i fried some bee hoon to go with the popiahs..
lots of work with the popiahs..spending whole afternoon in kictchen..phewww
Happy Cooking !
Friday, June 22, 2007
DUmpling
This year the first dumpling i've tried is vegetarian dumpling given by our aunt.
Expected. vegetarian always not as nice as actual. But not so bad though
So, now im looking forward to mum's dumpling. Since young, i never buy dumpling from outside cos i grew up eating only MUM's dumplings. maybe this is about time for me to learn how to make dumpling ? muahhh
mum said this year she tried red bean dumpling.. yum yum.. MUST try !
Expected. vegetarian always not as nice as actual. But not so bad though
So, now im looking forward to mum's dumpling. Since young, i never buy dumpling from outside cos i grew up eating only MUM's dumplings. maybe this is about time for me to learn how to make dumpling ? muahhh
mum said this year she tried red bean dumpling.. yum yum.. MUST try !
Asam Fish
Tried out this asam fish recipe from the microwave cooking book.
Not bad at all. It is suppose to be asam fish head but i use fish body instead of fish head not much flesh..
Ingredients:
1. Fish (clean)
2. tomatoes ( cut into 4 )
3. lady fingers ( i use long bean instead,)
Blended ingredients:
1. 5 shallots
2. 5 garlics
3. 1/2 ginger
4. 3-4 dried chillies
5. 1 lemon grass
Methods:
1. heat up oil. fry the blended mixture till fragrant. add in sugar + salt to taste.
2. squeeze some lemon juice into the mixture.
3. add in fish.. let it shimmer for a awhile, then add in the long beans & tomatoes
4. let it shimmer for about 20 minutes, stir once awhile.
5. when it is done ( fish meat cooked and long beans cooked ), scoup out and squeeze some lemon juice to add to taste.
Tada...one dish done !
Not bad at all. It is suppose to be asam fish head but i use fish body instead of fish head not much flesh..
Ingredients:
1. Fish (clean)
2. tomatoes ( cut into 4 )
3. lady fingers ( i use long bean instead,)
Blended ingredients:
1. 5 shallots
2. 5 garlics
3. 1/2 ginger
4. 3-4 dried chillies
5. 1 lemon grass
Methods:
1. heat up oil. fry the blended mixture till fragrant. add in sugar + salt to taste.
2. squeeze some lemon juice into the mixture.
3. add in fish.. let it shimmer for a awhile, then add in the long beans & tomatoes
4. let it shimmer for about 20 minutes, stir once awhile.
5. when it is done ( fish meat cooked and long beans cooked ), scoup out and squeeze some lemon juice to add to taste.
Tada...one dish done !
Thursday, June 21, 2007
BB products
One more headache is the bb product shopping. there are so many brands in the market to choose from. Not sure which is better and with best value.
Fren recommended Avent as this brand is designed according to scientific research and the design will prevent some of the unnecesary problem experienced by bb of he past. Some books recommend Pigeon.. blahh.. many others.
Anyway, i bought a mixture..
pigeon breast pump + bottles + pad
Avent bottles + soother.
Pureen's diapers +pad + baby bath <-- bought at motherhood exhibition.. super good deal
I bought quite a lot of clothing from mothercare and gotten the VIP membership. but the stuff there are so ex. even the soother is much expensive compare to outside shop like metro/isetan.. so don't buy from mothercare.. bluff people one !!
I bought spring maternity wear from mothercare.. it is so much x compare to i buy it from spring shop itself... another super expensive shop is IOI.. kena bluff cos my first purchase of maternity clothes was from this shop. super expensive !!
still have some more thing to buy this weekend. gonna shop n shop
Fren recommended Avent as this brand is designed according to scientific research and the design will prevent some of the unnecesary problem experienced by bb of he past. Some books recommend Pigeon.. blahh.. many others.
Anyway, i bought a mixture..
pigeon breast pump + bottles + pad
Avent bottles + soother.
Pureen's diapers +pad + baby bath <-- bought at motherhood exhibition.. super good deal
I bought quite a lot of clothing from mothercare and gotten the VIP membership. but the stuff there are so ex. even the soother is much expensive compare to outside shop like metro/isetan.. so don't buy from mothercare.. bluff people one !!
I bought spring maternity wear from mothercare.. it is so much x compare to i buy it from spring shop itself... another super expensive shop is IOI.. kena bluff cos my first purchase of maternity clothes was from this shop. super expensive !!
still have some more thing to buy this weekend. gonna shop n shop
BB Movement
Every now and then i can feel bb kicking inside..sometimes she kicks so hard till i can see my belly pop up..
Lately, early morning 5am or so, she will start to exercise inside my tummy..i will wake up and cannot sleep anymore..notti.. no day and night..she moves the most when im resting..
According to readings, bb moving can be anytime, but just that during the day when we are busy with work/cooking/household chores, we might not notice the movements..and also bb may be sleeping cos the adult movement is some kind of lullaby to them.. like rocking chair..so they sleep when mummy is active..
So, when mummy is resting, calming down, she starts to move about cos no more rocking from mummy..cute huh !
i wonder what is she doing inside..kicking ? twisting about ? punching ? most of the time from ultrasound, we can only see her moving her arms and legs.. but those movements cant be felt so much like what im feeling daily..
and mummy is advised to sleep side way, best if on left side, cos this is the best posture for bb to get enough oxygen & nutrients flowing from mummy's body to uterus. I used to sleep flat on my back ever since.. so the adjustment to this sleeping posture is not easy..always having aching on my arm/shoulder when awake and need lots of cushioning like pillow/bolster to support me on each side..
after all these months, i still find sleeping side ways not so comfortable but kinda used to it already.
i do simple yoga almost everyday.. i think light exercise does help. at least i don't feel clumsy with my enlarging tummy. after giving birth i think im gonna pick up yoga again.. good exercise that can do anytime in your life stages. just in different phases..
Lately, early morning 5am or so, she will start to exercise inside my tummy..i will wake up and cannot sleep anymore..notti.. no day and night..she moves the most when im resting..
According to readings, bb moving can be anytime, but just that during the day when we are busy with work/cooking/household chores, we might not notice the movements..and also bb may be sleeping cos the adult movement is some kind of lullaby to them.. like rocking chair..so they sleep when mummy is active..
So, when mummy is resting, calming down, she starts to move about cos no more rocking from mummy..cute huh !
i wonder what is she doing inside..kicking ? twisting about ? punching ? most of the time from ultrasound, we can only see her moving her arms and legs.. but those movements cant be felt so much like what im feeling daily..
and mummy is advised to sleep side way, best if on left side, cos this is the best posture for bb to get enough oxygen & nutrients flowing from mummy's body to uterus. I used to sleep flat on my back ever since.. so the adjustment to this sleeping posture is not easy..always having aching on my arm/shoulder when awake and need lots of cushioning like pillow/bolster to support me on each side..
after all these months, i still find sleeping side ways not so comfortable but kinda used to it already.
i do simple yoga almost everyday.. i think light exercise does help. at least i don't feel clumsy with my enlarging tummy. after giving birth i think im gonna pick up yoga again.. good exercise that can do anytime in your life stages. just in different phases..
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Dim Sum where-abouts
We went to this restaurant for both mother's & father's day celebration.
First time, we had dinner there, the food is so-so, normal chinese food.
Second time, we went for the lunch dim sum.. yummy.. nice. they have wide range of dim sum to choose from and the price is reasonable.
Just to help me remember this restaurant:
Red Star Restaurant
Add: Blk 54, Chin Swee Road, #07-23
Tel: 6532 5266 / 6532 5103
Recommended place for dim sum. Only during lunch hour 12 noon to 3pm.
First time, we had dinner there, the food is so-so, normal chinese food.
Second time, we went for the lunch dim sum.. yummy.. nice. they have wide range of dim sum to choose from and the price is reasonable.
Just to help me remember this restaurant:
Red Star Restaurant
Add: Blk 54, Chin Swee Road, #07-23
Tel: 6532 5266 / 6532 5103
Recommended place for dim sum. Only during lunch hour 12 noon to 3pm.
Water Crest soup
i always like water crest soup (Si yang Cai tang). this is the soup we usually order when eating in Crystal Jade restaurant. i think this can reduce heat from body or something.
That day this dish just crossed my mind, never knew i saw the watercrest in ntuc, so quickly grab one packet.. so tonight will be watercrest soup for dinner !!!
i'm not sure how to cook it, but from what i see, it should be as below.
Ingredients:
1. water crest
2. pork ribs
3. garlic
4. salt
so, i shall try out tonight and see how it goes. wish me luck !
That day this dish just crossed my mind, never knew i saw the watercrest in ntuc, so quickly grab one packet.. so tonight will be watercrest soup for dinner !!!
i'm not sure how to cook it, but from what i see, it should be as below.
Ingredients:
1. water crest
2. pork ribs
3. garlic
4. salt
so, i shall try out tonight and see how it goes. wish me luck !
Pork Ribs
That day saw a recipe to cook beef.. but i alter the recipe with pork ribs. nice nice nice..so i shall call this dish Steam hot Pork ribs
Ingredients:(for 2)
1. 1 potatoe (cut into 4)
2. ginger ( slice in pieces)
3. lak ci (the small round hard thing you found in dumpling, i bougth from market for $2 one packet)
4. 1 cinnammon
5. pork ribs (clean properly, rinse with hot water to remove the blood)
6. garlic (diced)
7. 1 carrot (cut in small chunk)
Method:
1. prepare a big bowl, put in one small bowl of water, heat up
2. add in pork ribs and the rest of the ingredients
3. let is shimmer and stir as and when
4. add in some salt to taste.
5. let it shimmer for another 30 minutes, till the lak ci/potatoes/pork ribs are soft
Ta-da !!! one dish prepared. simple & easy and a nice dinner.
Ingredients:(for 2)
1. 1 potatoe (cut into 4)
2. ginger ( slice in pieces)
3. lak ci (the small round hard thing you found in dumpling, i bougth from market for $2 one packet)
4. 1 cinnammon
5. pork ribs (clean properly, rinse with hot water to remove the blood)
6. garlic (diced)
7. 1 carrot (cut in small chunk)
Method:
1. prepare a big bowl, put in one small bowl of water, heat up
2. add in pork ribs and the rest of the ingredients
3. let is shimmer and stir as and when
4. add in some salt to taste.
5. let it shimmer for another 30 minutes, till the lak ci/potatoes/pork ribs are soft
Ta-da !!! one dish prepared. simple & easy and a nice dinner.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sponge Cake
Sunday, i tried to bake this traditional Sponge cake but failed. cos my cake ended up to be so hard. when i dip into milk, i noticed the milk cant even soak the cake, imagine how compact this cake is ! maybe my mixing method is wrong.. dunno why also.
The recipe from the DJ:
Traditional Sponge Cake (20 x 6 cm baking tin)
Ingredients A:
4 eggs
100g sugar
Ingredients B: (sifted)
120g plain flour
¼tsp salt
Ingredients C: (mix well)
25g milk
50g melted butter
½tsp vanilla oil
Method:
1. Put eggs into mixing bowl. Use high speed to whisk until frothy. Add in sugar slowly. Whisk mixture till very light and fluffy (about 10 mins)
Continue to use slow speed to beat for1-2mins
2. Fold flour lightly into egg mixture in one direction
3. Lightly mix in Ingredients C in one direction. Do not over-mix
4. Pour into lined and greased baking tin
5. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180ºC for 25-30mins until cooked and golden brown. Remove
The recipe from the DJ:
Traditional Sponge Cake (20 x 6 cm baking tin)
Ingredients A:
4 eggs
100g sugar
Ingredients B: (sifted)
120g plain flour
¼tsp salt
Ingredients C: (mix well)
25g milk
50g melted butter
½tsp vanilla oil
Method:
1. Put eggs into mixing bowl. Use high speed to whisk until frothy. Add in sugar slowly. Whisk mixture till very light and fluffy (about 10 mins)
Continue to use slow speed to beat for1-2mins
2. Fold flour lightly into egg mixture in one direction
3. Lightly mix in Ingredients C in one direction. Do not over-mix
4. Pour into lined and greased baking tin
5. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180ºC for 25-30mins until cooked and golden brown. Remove
WeEkn-ENd MEaLS
Hoo.. guess what i've cooked during weekend ?!? heee.. salmon & spaghetti.. yum yum
Salmon is easy. We bought 3 strips of salmon fillet from market for $5 (good deal) then what i do is just to clean the fillet, wipe salt and little pepper on it. wrap in aluminium foil and put in microwave for abt 8 minutes. The result is so yummy, the juice and the salmon meat is so so so tender and nice.
Then, of course i have some fruits salad to go with it. Perfect !
Yummy Salmon
Spaghetti was great too. I made the sauce myself. simple really. learnt from a recipe book borrowed from library.
Tomato sauce:
- 2 big tomatoes (boil/peel skin/dig out the seed and mash it)
- 1/2 big onion (cut into small chunks)
- 5 garlic (diced)
- Olive oil
Make sure you smash the tomatoes into smooth chunks/purees form.
1. Put in some olive oil into frying pans
2. fry diced inions & garlic till fragrant.
3. put in the mashed tomatoes.
4. add in some salt & pepper to taste.
scoup out the mixture and leave it to cool. You can keep in fridge for storage.
After you have cooked the spaghetti, remember to put some olive oil ( i missed out this part, my noodles turned out harder after leaving it for some time ).
add in minced meat ( dicd sausage ), button mushrooms (sliced ) then when abt to eat, add in the home-made tomatoes sauce & don't forget the pamerson cheese , sprinkle on top !
Yummy spathetti
suppose to be pumpkin soup.. but turn out to be pumpkin paste. but i love it either way..
Yummy.. as simple as that for my weekend dishes.
Salmon is easy. We bought 3 strips of salmon fillet from market for $5 (good deal) then what i do is just to clean the fillet, wipe salt and little pepper on it. wrap in aluminium foil and put in microwave for abt 8 minutes. The result is so yummy, the juice and the salmon meat is so so so tender and nice.
Then, of course i have some fruits salad to go with it. Perfect !
Yummy Salmon
Spaghetti was great too. I made the sauce myself. simple really. learnt from a recipe book borrowed from library.
Tomato sauce:
- 2 big tomatoes (boil/peel skin/dig out the seed and mash it)
- 1/2 big onion (cut into small chunks)
- 5 garlic (diced)
- Olive oil
Make sure you smash the tomatoes into smooth chunks/purees form.
1. Put in some olive oil into frying pans
2. fry diced inions & garlic till fragrant.
3. put in the mashed tomatoes.
4. add in some salt & pepper to taste.
scoup out the mixture and leave it to cool. You can keep in fridge for storage.
After you have cooked the spaghetti, remember to put some olive oil ( i missed out this part, my noodles turned out harder after leaving it for some time ).
add in minced meat ( dicd sausage ), button mushrooms (sliced ) then when abt to eat, add in the home-made tomatoes sauce & don't forget the pamerson cheese , sprinkle on top !
Yummy spathetti
suppose to be pumpkin soup.. but turn out to be pumpkin paste. but i love it either way..
Yummy.. as simple as that for my weekend dishes.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sad REaliTy
One of my aunt back home just had one of her leg, from knee down amputated.
She has diabetes for years. always look exhausted.
So sad to hear abt this news. I used to go to her house and stayed overnight when i was young. They always teased me and his youngest son a pair ! which i dunno why but tot he is my bf when i was young, 5 or so. haaaa.. until when i started schooling then i know that is not the case, he is just a cousin who is abt my age, one year older than me.
My aunt has many kids:
- one twins (one passed away when young, one is drug addict, in and out of rehab dunno what happen to him cos my aunt & uncle disowned him already)
- 3 sons and
- a daughter
Eldest son's business venture caused the family to shift from their big house to rented house..im not sure the current house is theirs or still rented.
the second son is very very obese.. have some sickness they say but not sure how true. till now still single.
the youngest son married with a hairdresser who got pregnant before married. the wife was then left my cousin to another old man.. they said she kena "bomoh".. but after that heard she came back to my cousin. messy
The normal one is the daughter, who married a normal m,an, have kids and all.
Now, she travelled back from KL to take care of her mum. Cos all the daughter in laws cant do that..
See.. still daughter better. sons all cant depend on....
Hope she will get on with her life, as my mum said her the other leg also not doing well. May Buddha bless her and her family.
My mum ONCE again warn me to control my sugar intake as my family members have diabetes background. Sigh.. i cant bake that much liao..
my recent checking on glucose level for pregnancy is normal. But that does not mean i wont get it later. so must really control. I don't want to get any part of my bodies amputated !!!
She has diabetes for years. always look exhausted.
So sad to hear abt this news. I used to go to her house and stayed overnight when i was young. They always teased me and his youngest son a pair ! which i dunno why but tot he is my bf when i was young, 5 or so. haaaa.. until when i started schooling then i know that is not the case, he is just a cousin who is abt my age, one year older than me.
My aunt has many kids:
- one twins (one passed away when young, one is drug addict, in and out of rehab dunno what happen to him cos my aunt & uncle disowned him already)
- 3 sons and
- a daughter
Eldest son's business venture caused the family to shift from their big house to rented house..im not sure the current house is theirs or still rented.
the second son is very very obese.. have some sickness they say but not sure how true. till now still single.
the youngest son married with a hairdresser who got pregnant before married. the wife was then left my cousin to another old man.. they said she kena "bomoh".. but after that heard she came back to my cousin. messy
The normal one is the daughter, who married a normal m,an, have kids and all.
Now, she travelled back from KL to take care of her mum. Cos all the daughter in laws cant do that..
See.. still daughter better. sons all cant depend on....
Hope she will get on with her life, as my mum said her the other leg also not doing well. May Buddha bless her and her family.
My mum ONCE again warn me to control my sugar intake as my family members have diabetes background. Sigh.. i cant bake that much liao..
my recent checking on glucose level for pregnancy is normal. But that does not mean i wont get it later. so must really control. I don't want to get any part of my bodies amputated !!!
ChiCkEn CH@p...
Tonight im cooking chicken chop. The recipe as below (Curi from DJ's recipe again)..
I've marinated the chicken and keep in fridge since yesteday evening. so, today will just fry it.
Chicken Chop
Ingredient:
Boneless chicken thigh : 1 kg <-- i just use two chicken thigh
Seasoning:
10 shallots (minced) <-- i din use 10, i used abt 5
3 tbsp ginger juice
1 tsp chillies powder
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp kunyit powder
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp corn flour
5 serai (bruised)
1 tbsp sugar
1½ tsp salt
Method:
1. Wash chicken thigh thoroughly, cut into big pieces, drain and put
in a mixing bowl
2. Add seasoning and mixed well thoroughly
3. Cover mixing bowl with aluminium foil and leave in the fridge
to marinate for approximately 4 hours
4. Add a little oil in a skillet, fry chicken pieces with low flame
on both sides till cooked
Hope it will turn out yummy.. should be spicy.
After-cooking tots:
Forgot to take picture !! anyway, the chicken turned out not bad at all, very fragrant and taste nice.
But, i have a problem with chicken thigh frying. always fry for very long still the inside (near the bones) look bloody. So yesterday i actually put it in oven for 10 minutes.
Recommended dish!
I've marinated the chicken and keep in fridge since yesteday evening. so, today will just fry it.
Chicken Chop
Ingredient:
Boneless chicken thigh : 1 kg <-- i just use two chicken thigh
Seasoning:
10 shallots (minced) <-- i din use 10, i used abt 5
3 tbsp ginger juice
1 tsp chillies powder
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp kunyit powder
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp corn flour
5 serai (bruised)
1 tbsp sugar
1½ tsp salt
Method:
1. Wash chicken thigh thoroughly, cut into big pieces, drain and put
in a mixing bowl
2. Add seasoning and mixed well thoroughly
3. Cover mixing bowl with aluminium foil and leave in the fridge
to marinate for approximately 4 hours
4. Add a little oil in a skillet, fry chicken pieces with low flame
on both sides till cooked
Hope it will turn out yummy.. should be spicy.
After-cooking tots:
Forgot to take picture !! anyway, the chicken turned out not bad at all, very fragrant and taste nice.
But, i have a problem with chicken thigh frying. always fry for very long still the inside (near the bones) look bloody. So yesterday i actually put it in oven for 10 minutes.
Recommended dish!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
I'm 24-WeEkS *O*
Im 6 months preggy now.. 4 months more to go !! can't wait to welcome my baobei to our world..
next week will see her again..this time i want doc to show me more of her look...but i think unless it's 3D else hard to see that clear.
Bee bee also preggy, givin birth in Nov. She is really something. one year one bb. muahhh
next week will see her again..this time i want doc to show me more of her look...but i think unless it's 3D else hard to see that clear.
Bee bee also preggy, givin birth in Nov. She is really something. one year one bb. muahhh
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sesame & Honey Stewed Ribs
Got this recipe from web too.
Sesame & Honey Stewed Ribs
Honey is a more nutritious substitute for sugar to add sweetness to this dish. There are many varieties of honey to choose from and you pick the type your family likes best. Some varieties are lightly lemon or orange flavoured.
Serves: 4 people
8 - 10 pieces pork ribs (washed and cleaned)
6 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 large knob ginger (finely chopped)
2 - 3 tablespoons dark soya sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
5 - 10 black peppercorns (whole)
salt to taste
Method:
1. Place ribs in a deep pot with enough water to cover them completely.
2. Add soya sauce, salt, pepper, garlic and ginger.
3. Cover pot and simmer for about 1/2 hour before checking if the meat is tender. (If the meat is still tough, top up with a little water and stew for another 15 to 20 minutes.)
4. Add honey and sesame oil, mixing well. Continue to simmer until gravy starts to thicken. Carry on mixing from time to time to ensure ribs are evenly coated.
5. Turn off heat, place ribs on a serving dish and pour remaining sauce over the ribs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
After-cooking tots:
The water i use is just to cover the ribs. But after stewing for 45 minutes, still so much water left. it's a bit like soup than the stewed ribs.
But, the taste is good. Can try again.
Sesame & Honey Stewed Ribs
Honey is a more nutritious substitute for sugar to add sweetness to this dish. There are many varieties of honey to choose from and you pick the type your family likes best. Some varieties are lightly lemon or orange flavoured.
Serves: 4 people
8 - 10 pieces pork ribs (washed and cleaned)
6 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 large knob ginger (finely chopped)
2 - 3 tablespoons dark soya sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
5 - 10 black peppercorns (whole)
salt to taste
Method:
1. Place ribs in a deep pot with enough water to cover them completely.
2. Add soya sauce, salt, pepper, garlic and ginger.
3. Cover pot and simmer for about 1/2 hour before checking if the meat is tender. (If the meat is still tough, top up with a little water and stew for another 15 to 20 minutes.)
4. Add honey and sesame oil, mixing well. Continue to simmer until gravy starts to thicken. Carry on mixing from time to time to ensure ribs are evenly coated.
5. Turn off heat, place ribs on a serving dish and pour remaining sauce over the ribs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
After-cooking tots:
The water i use is just to cover the ribs. But after stewing for 45 minutes, still so much water left. it's a bit like soup than the stewed ribs.
But, the taste is good. Can try again.
Wan Tan Mee
Weekend meal..first time make wan tan mee.
Cant get "char siew" so just make do.
The thing is, it looks better than it taste.cos the noodle stick together. My boiling method not right, put too much noodle at one time.
so, shall do it again !
Cant get "char siew" so just make do.
The thing is, it looks better than it taste.cos the noodle stick together. My boiling method not right, put too much noodle at one time.
so, shall do it again !
Monday, June 11, 2007
Muffins
Hooo.. managed to squeeze out some time for my muffins making..happy happy.
They are nice..yum yum..simple steps too.
MUFFINS
Ingredients A:
Self-raising flour: 300g
icing sugar: 250g <-- i've reduced it to 150g, still my ,muffins are sweet
Ingredients B:
egg : 135g eq to 3 eggs
milk : 105g
melted butter: 125g
vanila essense : ¼ tsp.
Steps
1. preheat the overm to 220ºC <-- my oven no need to pre-heat
2. sieved the self-raising flour, then add in the icing sugar. Place the mixture into a mixing bowl and leave aside
3. Mix Ingrediets B together with mixer till even. Pour the mixture into the flour mixture, with one direction speed, mixture all together till evenly. Do not over-mix, else the muffins will be too tough.
4. pour the final mixture into cups/muffin cup- 80% full
5. Leave in the oven for abt 15-20 minutes <--i leave it at 150ºC for 35 minutes
Shall post the photos of my muffins when free.
They are nice..yum yum..simple steps too.
MUFFINS
Ingredients A:
Self-raising flour: 300g
icing sugar: 250g <-- i've reduced it to 150g, still my ,muffins are sweet
Ingredients B:
egg : 135g eq to 3 eggs
milk : 105g
melted butter: 125g
vanila essense : ¼ tsp.
Steps
1. preheat the overm to 220ºC <-- my oven no need to pre-heat
2. sieved the self-raising flour, then add in the icing sugar. Place the mixture into a mixing bowl and leave aside
3. Mix Ingrediets B together with mixer till even. Pour the mixture into the flour mixture, with one direction speed, mixture all together till evenly. Do not over-mix, else the muffins will be too tough.
4. pour the final mixture into cups/muffin cup- 80% full
5. Leave in the oven for abt 15-20 minutes <--i leave it at 150ºC for 35 minutes
Shall post the photos of my muffins when free.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
W@rK-ING d@y
working on sat.. been some time ever since i have to work on sat. col on long leave. so no choice.
This weekend no time to bake anything. But, now i hnd itchy, wanna bake some muffin. geeessss.. how this gets on me. i've printed many many recipes from web. but just no time to do it !!!!
After work, LGG & i will go to the motherhood expo for some purchasing before GST hike. Gonna get all the bb stuff le before i get too heavy to move like now.
shall see if tmw have time, bake something nice. cant wait !
This weekend no time to bake anything. But, now i hnd itchy, wanna bake some muffin. geeessss.. how this gets on me. i've printed many many recipes from web. but just no time to do it !!!!
After work, LGG & i will go to the motherhood expo for some purchasing before GST hike. Gonna get all the bb stuff le before i get too heavy to move like now.
shall see if tmw have time, bake something nice. cant wait !
Friday, June 08, 2007
Fatty PealScale GirlFriend
LGG got a girlfriend for the lonely fatty pearlscale.. so now he is not so lonely..hopefully..
The new pearlscale looks much smaller compare to our "ah pui" pearlscale. but still the tummy bloated like me cos it is suppose to be like that.. smaller ah pui.
so, now my home has 3 ah pui.. me, fatty pearlscale, small pearlscale.. three bloated at the tummy.. muahh...
the new pearlscale still not used to her new tank. always remain at the bottom. unlike the fatty, always swim like mad to the top begging for food. very very hungry .. all the time..
Finger cross, they will survive till my bb born..
The new pearlscale looks much smaller compare to our "ah pui" pearlscale. but still the tummy bloated like me cos it is suppose to be like that.. smaller ah pui.
so, now my home has 3 ah pui.. me, fatty pearlscale, small pearlscale.. three bloated at the tummy.. muahh...
the new pearlscale still not used to her new tank. always remain at the bottom. unlike the fatty, always swim like mad to the top begging for food. very very hungry .. all the time..
Finger cross, they will survive till my bb born..
My BB Development
Time flies.. less than 6 months more i'll be giving birth..
Exactly like what i've read from book that second trimester is the most enjoyable time during the whole pregnancy journey.
I feel energetic, happy and feel the most of being pregnant. cos everyday i can feel my little one kicking inside me. i start to talk to her and try to make connection to her..everyday sleep with soothing music ..music therapy..muahh..
This is how my bb looks like in 23 week..
Exactly like what i've read from book that second trimester is the most enjoyable time during the whole pregnancy journey.
I feel energetic, happy and feel the most of being pregnant. cos everyday i can feel my little one kicking inside me. i start to talk to her and try to make connection to her..everyday sleep with soothing music ..music therapy..muahh..
This is how my bb looks like in 23 week..
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Exercise for Woman
One of the exercise i've learnt from book as well as antenatal class is kegel exercise. It's a pelvic floor exercise which is simple to do and strengten our pelvic muscle.
Man can do this too.
What is a kegel?
A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise. These muscles are attached to the pelvic bone and act like a hammock, holding in your pelvic organs. To try and isolate these muscles trying stopping and starting the flow of urine.
How do I do the kegel exercise?
Once you have located the muscles simply tighten and relax the mucsle over and over, about 200 times a day. These are basic kegels. There are many variations on kegels: elevator kegels (Where you tighten slowly, in increments going in and out, like an elevator stopping on several floors.), you can hold the muscle tightened for five seconds, you can bulge the muscles out at the end, and many other variations.
Why would I want to do kegel exercises?
Kegeling provides many benefits:
Conditioned muscles will make birth easier, and your perineum will more likely be intact (fewer tears and episiotomies)
Sexual enjoyment is enhanced for both partners
It can prevent prolapses of pelvic organs
It can help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough esp after child birth
PERFORMING PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES:
1. Begin by emptying your bladder.
2. Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for a count of 10.
3. Relax the muscle completely for a count of 10.
4. Perform 10 exercises, three times a day (morning, afternoon, and night).
These exercises can be performed any time and any place. Most people prefer to perform the exercises while lying down or sitting in a chair. After 4 to 6 weeks, most people notice some improvement. It may take as long as 3 months to see a significant change.
A word of caution: some people feel that they can speed up the progress by increasing the number of repetitions and the frequency of exercises. However, this over-exercising may instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage of urine.
If you feel any discomfort in your abdomen or back while performing these exercises, you are probably performing them incorrectly. Some people have a tendency to hold their breath or tighten their chest while trying to contract the pelvic floor muscles. Relax and concentrate on contracting just the pelvic floor muscles.
Happy exercising !
Man can do this too.
What is a kegel?
A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise. These muscles are attached to the pelvic bone and act like a hammock, holding in your pelvic organs. To try and isolate these muscles trying stopping and starting the flow of urine.
How do I do the kegel exercise?
Once you have located the muscles simply tighten and relax the mucsle over and over, about 200 times a day. These are basic kegels. There are many variations on kegels: elevator kegels (Where you tighten slowly, in increments going in and out, like an elevator stopping on several floors.), you can hold the muscle tightened for five seconds, you can bulge the muscles out at the end, and many other variations.
Why would I want to do kegel exercises?
Kegeling provides many benefits:
PERFORMING PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES:
1. Begin by emptying your bladder.
2. Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for a count of 10.
3. Relax the muscle completely for a count of 10.
4. Perform 10 exercises, three times a day (morning, afternoon, and night).
These exercises can be performed any time and any place. Most people prefer to perform the exercises while lying down or sitting in a chair. After 4 to 6 weeks, most people notice some improvement. It may take as long as 3 months to see a significant change.
A word of caution: some people feel that they can speed up the progress by increasing the number of repetitions and the frequency of exercises. However, this over-exercising may instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage of urine.
If you feel any discomfort in your abdomen or back while performing these exercises, you are probably performing them incorrectly. Some people have a tendency to hold their breath or tighten their chest while trying to contract the pelvic floor muscles. Relax and concentrate on contracting just the pelvic floor muscles.
Happy exercising !
Chicken Rice #2
Sob sob sob.. the only thing nice abt my last night chicken rice is the chilli. and now my mouth is so stink cos of the garlic.
The chicken is like chicken rice's chicken. not tender. I boiled it for abt 1/2 an hour. i took it out, rub sesame oil on it. it looks tender and nice. But when i chopped it, the drumstick portion still bloody. so i put it back to the soup to boil. maybe that's why the chicken meat not tender anymore.
The rice also did not taste like chicken rice... sobbbbbb
NVM. i will try out the recipe below. From the DJ blog.
Chicken Rice
Ingredient A
1 whole chicken
Ingredient B (For Soup)
1 large pc ginger (smashed)
5 pcs pandan leaves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sesame oil
Ingredient C (For rice)
6 pcs shallot (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
5 slices of ginger
3 cups of rice (wash, drained dry)
2 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
1 tsp sesame oil
Chicken Soup Stock (according to rice cooker instructions)
5 pcs pandan leaves
Ingredient D (chilli sauce)
15 pcs red chillies
3 slices of young ginger
5 cloves garlic
5 pcs limes (cut and squeeze for juices)
1-2 tsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
Ingredient E
1 cucumber (discard small section of top and bottom,
soak in cold water for 1 hour)
Method: (For chicken)
1. Fill a large pot with water (enough to cover chicken)
2. Add Ingredient B, bring to a boil over high flame
3. Drop chicken into it, boil for 10 mins, remove from heat
4. Cover pot, stand for 10 mins
5. Remove chicken, soak in cold water, remove after 5 mins,
drained dry, oiled evenly with sesame oil.
Method: (For rice)
1. Heat up oil, sauté chopped shallots, garlic & sliced ginger
till fragrant and golden brown
2. Add rice, salt, pepper, sesame oil, fry till fragrant,
remove from heat
3. Pour ready fried rice into rice cooker, add sufficient
chicken soup to required markings
4. Add pandan leaves and cook till rice form
Method: (For chilli sauce)
Place all Ingredients D in a blender,
add a little water, blend to form chilli sauce
The chicken is like chicken rice's chicken. not tender. I boiled it for abt 1/2 an hour. i took it out, rub sesame oil on it. it looks tender and nice. But when i chopped it, the drumstick portion still bloody. so i put it back to the soup to boil. maybe that's why the chicken meat not tender anymore.
The rice also did not taste like chicken rice... sobbbbbb
NVM. i will try out the recipe below. From the DJ blog.
Chicken Rice
Ingredient A
1 whole chicken
Ingredient B (For Soup)
1 large pc ginger (smashed)
5 pcs pandan leaves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sesame oil
Ingredient C (For rice)
6 pcs shallot (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
5 slices of ginger
3 cups of rice (wash, drained dry)
2 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
1 tsp sesame oil
Chicken Soup Stock (according to rice cooker instructions)
5 pcs pandan leaves
Ingredient D (chilli sauce)
15 pcs red chillies
3 slices of young ginger
5 cloves garlic
5 pcs limes (cut and squeeze for juices)
1-2 tsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
Ingredient E
1 cucumber (discard small section of top and bottom,
soak in cold water for 1 hour)
Method: (For chicken)
1. Fill a large pot with water (enough to cover chicken)
2. Add Ingredient B, bring to a boil over high flame
3. Drop chicken into it, boil for 10 mins, remove from heat
4. Cover pot, stand for 10 mins
5. Remove chicken, soak in cold water, remove after 5 mins,
drained dry, oiled evenly with sesame oil.
Method: (For rice)
1. Heat up oil, sauté chopped shallots, garlic & sliced ginger
till fragrant and golden brown
2. Add rice, salt, pepper, sesame oil, fry till fragrant,
remove from heat
3. Pour ready fried rice into rice cooker, add sufficient
chicken soup to required markings
4. Add pandan leaves and cook till rice form
Method: (For chilli sauce)
Place all Ingredients D in a blender,
add a little water, blend to form chilli sauce
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Chicken Rice
Been wanting to try this out. But many recipes have complicated steps.
That day, dig out the recipe given to me by my mum.. the steps seem easy and my mum chicken rice has been very very nice.. so i decided to try this out.
yesterday, i've blended the ingredients for the chicken rice chilli.. yummy, it smell like the actual chicken rice chilli.
So, tonight i shall cook the chicken and the chicken rice. Yum Yum..
If successful, shall write the recipe in blog. so next time i can refer when need it.
That day, dig out the recipe given to me by my mum.. the steps seem easy and my mum chicken rice has been very very nice.. so i decided to try this out.
yesterday, i've blended the ingredients for the chicken rice chilli.. yummy, it smell like the actual chicken rice chilli.
So, tonight i shall cook the chicken and the chicken rice. Yum Yum..
If successful, shall write the recipe in blog. so next time i can refer when need it.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Egg Tart
This is also the recipe taken from the DJ's blog.
My col's wife already tried it and she said successful.
We are now siao ON. i gave her some double action baking powder and cocoa powder for the steam cake. In turn, she gave me some baking powder & custard powder. so we don't need to buy so much thing. usually, one bottle of any baking powder will not be used all.
Egg Tart
Egg Fillings
Ingredient A:
150g water
100g milk
120g sugar <-- reduce to 100g ½ tsp vinegar Ingredient B: 3 eggs ¼ tsp Vanilla oil Method: 1. Blend ingredient A together in a bowl till sugar dissolve 2. Mix in Ingredient B till well combined 3. Strain mixture for use later Note: This quantity makes 20 cups Sweet shortcrust pastry:
Ingredients A:
250g butter <-- reduce to 200g
50g icing powder (sieve)
Ingredients B: (mix)
50g eggs
¼ tsp Vanilla oil
Ingredients C: (sieve)
375g plain flour
25g custard powder
5g baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Method
1. Beat butter and icing powder in the mixer using medium speed
2. Add ingredients B in 2 separate additions and beat till creamy
3. Mix sieved Ingredients C using low speed to form dough, do not over mix
4. Chilled dough in the fridge for 30 mins
5. Roll dough to 3 mm thickness on a floured tabletop
6. Cut pastry into circles with a round cutter
7. Place round pastry on tarts mould, drop mould lightly a few times to let pastry sink into mould, then press to the rim to shape tarts, cutting off any excess pastry
8. Fill tart shell with filling till about 80% full
9. Bake in pre-heated oven at 180°C for approx. 25 mins till cooked, remove and cool
After-baking tot:
Recipe is good. the tarts are nice to eat. recommended.
My col's wife already tried it and she said successful.
We are now siao ON. i gave her some double action baking powder and cocoa powder for the steam cake. In turn, she gave me some baking powder & custard powder. so we don't need to buy so much thing. usually, one bottle of any baking powder will not be used all.
Egg Tart
Egg Fillings
Ingredient A:
150g water
100g milk
120g sugar <-- reduce to 100g ½ tsp vinegar Ingredient B: 3 eggs ¼ tsp Vanilla oil Method: 1. Blend ingredient A together in a bowl till sugar dissolve 2. Mix in Ingredient B till well combined 3. Strain mixture for use later Note: This quantity makes 20 cups Sweet shortcrust pastry:
Ingredients A:
250g butter <-- reduce to 200g
50g icing powder (sieve)
Ingredients B: (mix)
50g eggs
¼ tsp Vanilla oil
Ingredients C: (sieve)
375g plain flour
25g custard powder
5g baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Method
1. Beat butter and icing powder in the mixer using medium speed
2. Add ingredients B in 2 separate additions and beat till creamy
3. Mix sieved Ingredients C using low speed to form dough, do not over mix
4. Chilled dough in the fridge for 30 mins
5. Roll dough to 3 mm thickness on a floured tabletop
6. Cut pastry into circles with a round cutter
7. Place round pastry on tarts mould, drop mould lightly a few times to let pastry sink into mould, then press to the rim to shape tarts, cutting off any excess pastry
8. Fill tart shell with filling till about 80% full
9. Bake in pre-heated oven at 180°C for approx. 25 mins till cooked, remove and cool
After-baking tot:
Recipe is good. the tarts are nice to eat. recommended.
Bread recipee -Failed
I've tried for the second time, using the same bread making recipe. But seems like it is still sticky inside. this time is worst as the bread did not rise as much as the first time. Not sure is it b'cos of the extra milk i add in.
The Dough is just sticking to each other, cant seem to mix properly when i use the electrical mixer. it just stick on the two spiral stick. make it so hard to twist and turn.
So, i've came to the conclusion that the recipe is not workable.
Bread making - failed ! sob.
Tonight shall try the apple cake.
My next baking is egg tart. muahh.. shall post the recipe in my next entry.
The Dough is just sticking to each other, cant seem to mix properly when i use the electrical mixer. it just stick on the two spiral stick. make it so hard to twist and turn.
So, i've came to the conclusion that the recipe is not workable.
Bread making - failed ! sob.
Tonight shall try the apple cake.
My next baking is egg tart. muahh.. shall post the recipe in my next entry.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Pregnancy Yoga set
I found these from web. I've tried it this morning, Simple and easier for me to do. Now, i cant do the normal yoga like sun salutaion and etc.. cos very difficult to bend down..so these set come in handy..
Pregnancy Yoga Set #1
1. Stand up with arms next to the ears and palms together, Inhale, bend the upper body slightly back. Exhale, bend forward. 1-3 minutes.
2. Sit on heels. Inhale, raise body up. Exhale, sit on the heels, Hands rest on lower waist, 1 minute.
3. Stretch legs out. Support upper body with hands on floor. Inhale, raise right leg up. Exhale, lower leg down to floor. 1-3 minutes. Repeat with left leg.
4. Bring the soles of the feet together. Hold hands over toes. For 1 minute, rock side to side on the buttocks. Then, bounce the knees up and down. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
5. Easy Pose. Inhale stretch spine straight, Exhale, relax spine. 1-3 minutes.
6. Come into the squat, feet are flat on the floor. Relax in the position for 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Slowly roll head in large circles. 1-3 minutes.
8. Relax on side. Lower leg is slightly bent. Support head with pillow. Inhale, raise leg up. Exhale, lower leg. 1-3 minutes each side.
9. Totally relax on your side.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #2
1. Easy Pose. soles of the feet are together. Inhale, relax thighs. Exhale, press thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
2. Stretch out both legs and spread them wide apart. Inhale, stretch back up straight, Exhale, lower upper body to left leg. Hold onto toes during the movement. 1 minute to each side.
3. Come onto the hands and the feet. Inhale and stretch the head up, relax back (but no sway back). Exhale, stretch up back (like a stretching cat). 1-3 minutes.
4. On hands and knees relax head and begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes in each direction.
5. On hands and knees. Inhale, bend head and hips to the left. Exhale, bend head and hips to the right. 1-3 minutes.
6. Relax in baby pose. 3-5 minutes.
7. On hands and knees. Inhale, lift right leg and head up. Exhale, bring chin and knee to chest. 1-3 minutes. Continue on other side.
8. Come into the squat. Begin to move the knees back and forth with the elbows, 1-3 minutes, 9. Slowly roll head in circles. 1-3 minutes.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #3
1. Arms are parallel to floor and out to sides. Relax in position with deep breathing, 3-5 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Inhale, stretch spine straight, Exhale, let back relax. 1-3 minutes.
3. Soles of the feet are together. Bounce the knees up and down. 1 minute. Then massage inner thighs for 1 minute. Repeat bouncing 1 minute.
4. Stretch legs straight out, spread wide, Grab onto toes. Inhale, stretch up spine. Exhale, relax upper body forward, bending from the hips.
5. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes. Repeat other directions.
6. Relax into Baby Pose. Spread knees to allow your abdomen to fall forward. 3-5 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Place hands on shoulders. Inhale, turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
8. Hands on shoulders. Inhale, raise up elbows and exhale; bring elbows to the sides. 1-3 minutes.
9. Press the palms firmly together. Breathe deeply for 1-3 minutes, keeping the pressure.
10. Hands in gyan mudra. Practice pelvic floor (kegel) exercises for 3 minutes.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #4
1. Stand with arms to side and parallel to floor. Inhale and swing whole upper body to left. Exhale, and swing to right. 1-3 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Arms to side, parallel to floor. Hands in fist with middle finger stretched out. Rotate in circle, backwards. 1 minute.
3. Interlock fingers under hair behind neck. Stretch elbows back. Begin to rotate upper body in circles for 1 minute. Repeat other direction.
4. Place the thumb on the root of the small finger. Arms are straight. Inhale, bring left arm up 60 degrees and right arm 60 degrees below. 1-3 minutes.
5. Stretch both legs out, then place the right sole to touch the left thigh. Bend slowly the upper body forward, breathe very fully. 1-3 minutes. Change legs, repeat.
6. Soles of the feet are together. Relax. Inhale and relax the thighs. Exhale, stretch the thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Hands relaxed an the knees. Roll upper body in large circles. 1-3 minutes and reverse direction, same time.
8. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes and then other direction.
9. Sit on heels. Hands interlocked, arms next to ears. Inhale sit up onto knees and exhale lower body to sit an the heels.
10. Arms same as #9. Inhale, raise up body and sit on the left side of feet. Exhale, sit on the right side of f eet. 1 minute.
11. Easy Pose. Hands on shoulders. Inhale and turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
12. Concentrate, between eye brows. Slowly rotate head in large circles. 1 minute.
13. Place hands on abdomen. Contract the pelvic floor, without using the abdominal muscles. First slow, fast and elevator. 100 times.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #1
1. Stand up with arms next to the ears and palms together, Inhale, bend the upper body slightly back. Exhale, bend forward. 1-3 minutes.
2. Sit on heels. Inhale, raise body up. Exhale, sit on the heels, Hands rest on lower waist, 1 minute.
3. Stretch legs out. Support upper body with hands on floor. Inhale, raise right leg up. Exhale, lower leg down to floor. 1-3 minutes. Repeat with left leg.
4. Bring the soles of the feet together. Hold hands over toes. For 1 minute, rock side to side on the buttocks. Then, bounce the knees up and down. Continue for 1-3 minutes.
5. Easy Pose. Inhale stretch spine straight, Exhale, relax spine. 1-3 minutes.
6. Come into the squat, feet are flat on the floor. Relax in the position for 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Slowly roll head in large circles. 1-3 minutes.
8. Relax on side. Lower leg is slightly bent. Support head with pillow. Inhale, raise leg up. Exhale, lower leg. 1-3 minutes each side.
9. Totally relax on your side.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #2
1. Easy Pose. soles of the feet are together. Inhale, relax thighs. Exhale, press thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
2. Stretch out both legs and spread them wide apart. Inhale, stretch back up straight, Exhale, lower upper body to left leg. Hold onto toes during the movement. 1 minute to each side.
3. Come onto the hands and the feet. Inhale and stretch the head up, relax back (but no sway back). Exhale, stretch up back (like a stretching cat). 1-3 minutes.
4. On hands and knees relax head and begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes in each direction.
5. On hands and knees. Inhale, bend head and hips to the left. Exhale, bend head and hips to the right. 1-3 minutes.
6. Relax in baby pose. 3-5 minutes.
7. On hands and knees. Inhale, lift right leg and head up. Exhale, bring chin and knee to chest. 1-3 minutes. Continue on other side.
8. Come into the squat. Begin to move the knees back and forth with the elbows, 1-3 minutes, 9. Slowly roll head in circles. 1-3 minutes.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #3
1. Arms are parallel to floor and out to sides. Relax in position with deep breathing, 3-5 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Inhale, stretch spine straight, Exhale, let back relax. 1-3 minutes.
3. Soles of the feet are together. Bounce the knees up and down. 1 minute. Then massage inner thighs for 1 minute. Repeat bouncing 1 minute.
4. Stretch legs straight out, spread wide, Grab onto toes. Inhale, stretch up spine. Exhale, relax upper body forward, bending from the hips.
5. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes. Repeat other directions.
6. Relax into Baby Pose. Spread knees to allow your abdomen to fall forward. 3-5 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Place hands on shoulders. Inhale, turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
8. Hands on shoulders. Inhale, raise up elbows and exhale; bring elbows to the sides. 1-3 minutes.
9. Press the palms firmly together. Breathe deeply for 1-3 minutes, keeping the pressure.
10. Hands in gyan mudra. Practice pelvic floor (kegel) exercises for 3 minutes.
Pregnancy Yoga Set #4
1. Stand with arms to side and parallel to floor. Inhale and swing whole upper body to left. Exhale, and swing to right. 1-3 minutes.
2. Easy Pose. Arms to side, parallel to floor. Hands in fist with middle finger stretched out. Rotate in circle, backwards. 1 minute.
3. Interlock fingers under hair behind neck. Stretch elbows back. Begin to rotate upper body in circles for 1 minute. Repeat other direction.
4. Place the thumb on the root of the small finger. Arms are straight. Inhale, bring left arm up 60 degrees and right arm 60 degrees below. 1-3 minutes.
5. Stretch both legs out, then place the right sole to touch the left thigh. Bend slowly the upper body forward, breathe very fully. 1-3 minutes. Change legs, repeat.
6. Soles of the feet are together. Relax. Inhale and relax the thighs. Exhale, stretch the thighs to floor. 1-3 minutes.
7. Easy Pose. Hands relaxed an the knees. Roll upper body in large circles. 1-3 minutes and reverse direction, same time.
8. On hands and knees. Relax head down. Begin to rotate the hips in large circles. 1-3 minutes and then other direction.
9. Sit on heels. Hands interlocked, arms next to ears. Inhale sit up onto knees and exhale lower body to sit an the heels.
10. Arms same as #9. Inhale, raise up body and sit on the left side of feet. Exhale, sit on the right side of f eet. 1 minute.
11. Easy Pose. Hands on shoulders. Inhale and turn upper body and head to left. Exhale and turn to right. 1-3 minutes.
12. Concentrate, between eye brows. Slowly rotate head in large circles. 1 minute.
13. Place hands on abdomen. Contract the pelvic floor, without using the abdominal muscles. First slow, fast and elevator. 100 times.
Baking Knowledge
There are many ingredients that you come across during cooking/baking that you are not sure what they actually are or what is the difference between one another. I have that problem too.
So instead of always bugging LGG .. i decided to search for it from website. some of the doubts are cleared after getting the answer like the following or asking friends who bake together with you.
Baking Powder
Q: Several times the recipe called for "Double-action" baking powder.
What is Double-action baking powder and how is it different than regular baking powder?
A: Baking powder is only one way of leavening baked goods.
There are three basic types of baking powder.
(a) Double-action which releases 1/3 of the carbon dioxide at room temperature
and the rest during baking.
(b) Tartrate baking powder reacts quicker, as soon as the liquid is added.
(c) Phosphate baking powder is slower and only heat releases its gases.
Basically, the difference between baking powder & double action baking powder is that double action baking powder is the enhanced version which promote the leavening action.
Other agents used are baking soda and yeast.
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent when mixed with an acid such as sour cream, sour milk, buttermilk or citrus juice. Baking soda is mainly used in cakes that contain cocoa powder or chocolate
Q: What does Yeast do ?
A: Yeast is a tiny living fungus that thrives on sweetness, warmth, and moisture. Yeast releases gases that makes bread dough rise, lightening the bread.
Yeast not only makes dough rise, it also works on the gluten in the flour to give it flavor and texture.
Q: What is buttermilk? Does buttermilk contain butter?
A: You might be surprised to learn there is no butter, per se, in buttermilk, and it is lower in fat than sweet milk. Old-fashioned homemade buttermilk is the slightly sour, residual liquid which remains after butter is churned, ie. milk from the butter or buttermilk. It was usually flecked with tiny spots of sweet, creamy butter that didn't quite make it to the top to be skimmed. The flavor of buttermilk is reminiscent of yogurt and most people prefer it well-chilled. You'll find it is slightly thicker in texture than regular milk but not as heavy as cream. It takes one gallon of milk to yield one-half pint of true buttermilk.
Nowadays, most commercial buttermilk is made by adding a lactic acid bacteria culture to pasteurized sweet whole milk or, more commonly skim milk or non-fat milk, and it may or may not have added butter flecks.
After the addition of the culture, the milk is left to ferment for 12 to 14 hours at a low temperature (optimum 69 degrees F.). It is usually labeled cultured buttermilk and may be salted or unsalted. Most commercial varieties are salted, so check the label if you are on a sodium-restricted diet
... will add in as i go along..
So instead of always bugging LGG .. i decided to search for it from website. some of the doubts are cleared after getting the answer like the following or asking friends who bake together with you.
Baking Powder
Q: Several times the recipe called for "Double-action" baking powder.
What is Double-action baking powder and how is it different than regular baking powder?
A: Baking powder is only one way of leavening baked goods.
There are three basic types of baking powder.
(a) Double-action which releases 1/3 of the carbon dioxide at room temperature
and the rest during baking.
(b) Tartrate baking powder reacts quicker, as soon as the liquid is added.
(c) Phosphate baking powder is slower and only heat releases its gases.
Basically, the difference between baking powder & double action baking powder is that double action baking powder is the enhanced version which promote the leavening action.
Other agents used are baking soda and yeast.
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent when mixed with an acid such as sour cream, sour milk, buttermilk or citrus juice. Baking soda is mainly used in cakes that contain cocoa powder or chocolate
Q: What does Yeast do ?
A: Yeast is a tiny living fungus that thrives on sweetness, warmth, and moisture. Yeast releases gases that makes bread dough rise, lightening the bread.
Yeast not only makes dough rise, it also works on the gluten in the flour to give it flavor and texture.
Q: What is buttermilk? Does buttermilk contain butter?
A: You might be surprised to learn there is no butter, per se, in buttermilk, and it is lower in fat than sweet milk. Old-fashioned homemade buttermilk is the slightly sour, residual liquid which remains after butter is churned, ie. milk from the butter or buttermilk. It was usually flecked with tiny spots of sweet, creamy butter that didn't quite make it to the top to be skimmed. The flavor of buttermilk is reminiscent of yogurt and most people prefer it well-chilled. You'll find it is slightly thicker in texture than regular milk but not as heavy as cream. It takes one gallon of milk to yield one-half pint of true buttermilk.
Nowadays, most commercial buttermilk is made by adding a lactic acid bacteria culture to pasteurized sweet whole milk or, more commonly skim milk or non-fat milk, and it may or may not have added butter flecks.
After the addition of the culture, the milk is left to ferment for 12 to 14 hours at a low temperature (optimum 69 degrees F.). It is usually labeled cultured buttermilk and may be salted or unsalted. Most commercial varieties are salted, so check the label if you are on a sodium-restricted diet
... will add in as i go along..
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Baking Kaki
Yesterday brought the steam cakes for cols..they all said very nice.. heee.. happy.. at least my first steam cake receive positive response.
One of my col brought the one piece given to him back home for his wifey. This morning, she called me up, saying that the cake is very nice, very aromatic. (eventhough, i baked it on Friday )
She ask me for the recipe, ask me to fax to her home.. haaa.. so siao ON. even have fax machine at home. She is the one who gave me the kuih lapis (Indonesia) recipe whch i have yet to try cos the need to prepare many ingredients. Im trying out those simpler one first.
So, i guest she is baking it at home now as she called again to ask how i make the batter and all.. heeee..
Happy Baking.
Just now, i went to NTUC to look for ground cinnamon for the apple cake, It is those "Gui Ling" powder a bit like five spice powder which i don't really have much favour.. so i decided to bake without the cinnamon.
Shall post the photo when done. maybe tmw cos thursday vesak day !
One of my col brought the one piece given to him back home for his wifey. This morning, she called me up, saying that the cake is very nice, very aromatic. (eventhough, i baked it on Friday )
She ask me for the recipe, ask me to fax to her home.. haaa.. so siao ON. even have fax machine at home. She is the one who gave me the kuih lapis (Indonesia) recipe whch i have yet to try cos the need to prepare many ingredients. Im trying out those simpler one first.
So, i guest she is baking it at home now as she called again to ask how i make the batter and all.. heeee..
Happy Baking.
Just now, i went to NTUC to look for ground cinnamon for the apple cake, It is those "Gui Ling" powder a bit like five spice powder which i don't really have much favour.. so i decided to bake without the cinnamon.
Shall post the photo when done. maybe tmw cos thursday vesak day !
Love is...
Love is when he looks at you quietly, smiling on his own, when ask him why is he looking and smiling, he said he loves you..
Love is when you are preggy, with Protruding abdomen, fat thigh, fat arm.. he still looks at you..says he loves you..
Love is when you are throwing temper.. he will calm you down by talking softly to you and reconcile by hugging and says we love each other
Love is when u are sleeping, he comes to you, kissing you, smelling you and says he loves you..
Love is when you injure your knee.. he will help you to rub oil and massage for you..
love is when i take care of him by cooking lots of nice food/bake all the nice things for him to eat... heeeee
Love is when you are preggy, with Protruding abdomen, fat thigh, fat arm.. he still looks at you..says he loves you..
Love is when you are throwing temper.. he will calm you down by talking softly to you and reconcile by hugging and says we love each other
Love is when u are sleeping, he comes to you, kissing you, smelling you and says he loves you..
Love is when you injure your knee.. he will help you to rub oil and massage for you..
love is when i take care of him by cooking lots of nice food/bake all the nice things for him to eat... heeeee
Pearlscale gone
I just posted on Sunday that my 2 pearlscale still alive . but never knew.. yesterday i found one of them floating lifeless in the fish tank..sob sob
Morning i still fed them like usual, cos everytime i open my balcony sliding door, the two pearlscale will swim excitedly asking for food.. so i cant bear seeing them like that, usually will feed them one or two fish feed.. cannot feed too much else will dirty the water too soon and will cause them to die faster.
When i fed them, only one (the bigger one) swim excitedly on top of the water to eat the other one remain below.. i tot maybe he is eating those food dropping below..
never knew, evebing when i came home, he died le.. so sad.. now left with one.
dunno whether should get one more or not...
Morning i still fed them like usual, cos everytime i open my balcony sliding door, the two pearlscale will swim excitedly asking for food.. so i cant bear seeing them like that, usually will feed them one or two fish feed.. cannot feed too much else will dirty the water too soon and will cause them to die faster.
When i fed them, only one (the bigger one) swim excitedly on top of the water to eat the other one remain below.. i tot maybe he is eating those food dropping below..
never knew, evebing when i came home, he died le.. so sad.. now left with one.
dunno whether should get one more or not...
Monday, May 28, 2007
Apple Cake Delight
My Next Baking...
Looks simple and the ingredients are healthy.
I'll definitely reduce on the sugar input. I find most recipe has sugar level that is too much for us, so reduce it.
Green apples
End-result
sticky apple cake
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
125 g margarine (melted)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 apples (peeled, cored and sliced) <-- use green apples, It is meant for baking
Methods
1. Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon together.
2. Add the beaten eggs and melted margarine.
3. Pour half the cake mixture into a well greased ring tin.
4. Add the apples, then the remaining cake mixture.
5. Bake in a 180°C oven for 1 hour. Serve hot or cold.
After-baking tot:
Not so nice actually, the inside is creamy/sticky, outside is crunchie like biscuits.
Anything sticky is not likeable by LGG. so this recipe is out !
Looks simple and the ingredients are healthy.
I'll definitely reduce on the sugar input. I find most recipe has sugar level that is too much for us, so reduce it.
Green apples
End-result
sticky apple cake
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
125 g margarine (melted)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 apples (peeled, cored and sliced) <-- use green apples, It is meant for baking
Methods
1. Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon together.
2. Add the beaten eggs and melted margarine.
3. Pour half the cake mixture into a well greased ring tin.
4. Add the apples, then the remaining cake mixture.
5. Bake in a 180°C oven for 1 hour. Serve hot or cold.
After-baking tot:
Not so nice actually, the inside is creamy/sticky, outside is crunchie like biscuits.
Anything sticky is not likeable by LGG. so this recipe is out !
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Unique
After so long, now then i have time to go through our honeymoon photos & video. Got to select to print into hardcopy.
Found this video taken by LGG. toilet visit in Grmany.
Comparing toilets in China .. this is thousand time more high-tech.. they clean it for you ..with proper door of course.
But the charges is much more expensive, 1 euro or something.. but in china is Renmin Pi..that explains why so much different.
Found this video taken by LGG. toilet visit in Grmany.
Comparing toilets in China .. this is thousand time more high-tech.. they clean it for you ..with proper door of course.
But the charges is much more expensive, 1 euro or something.. but in china is Renmin Pi..that explains why so much different.
Baby First Steps
Been doing a lot of reading on parenting & baby's development.
I like this book, very informational.
This author wrote many pregnancy & baby books. Good if you are pregnant/plan to get pregnant to get hold of her book. I borrowed it from library.
I like this book, very informational.
This author wrote many pregnancy & baby books. Good if you are pregnant/plan to get pregnant to get hold of her book. I borrowed it from library.
My Pearlscale
After more than 3 months, my pearlscale still alive & kicking..i mean swimming. yesterday one of them almost Died cos bacteria attacking its body. covered by all whitish thing.. and floating on the water.. luckily we noticed and quickly remove them from the fish tahnk and put them into clean water with salt.
here tbey are... swim happily..
here tbey are... swim happily..
Tonight's dinner
Tonight i'm making marcaroni .. simple one.. just take a photo..
The recipe taken from here:
Ingredients:
150 g macaroni <-- i just take one packet
(regular 'elbows' or coloured spirals)
1 tin cream of chicken / corn / mushroom soup
125 g grated cheddar cheese <-- replace with parmesa cheese
3 slices picnic ham or 3 rashers bacon <--replace with minced meat. marinate first
(finely sliced)
1 large white onion (diced)
1 tomato (diced)
2 teaspoons margarine
a pinch of black pepper and salt to taste
Method:
1. Bring water to the boil in a pot, adding 1/2 teaspoon margarine and a large pinch of salt. Boil the pasta until it is tender. Drain and leave aside to cool.
2. Heat margarine in frying pan and fry onions until fragrant. Add bacon or ham strips and stir fry for a minute. Add diced tomatoes and season with a little pepper (salt may not be necessary). Turn off heat and leave aside to cool.
3.
Heat soup with recommended amount of water. Place macaroni in oven proof dish and pour hot soup over to the depth of the dish.
4. Sprinkle half the cheese over the macaroni and about 2/3 the bacon / ham mixture. Mix both into the macaroni soup mixture.
5. Cover macaroni with the rest of the ham / bacon mixture and sprinkle the remaining cheese over with a generous sprinkle of black pepper.
6. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes until cheese melts and turns a golden brown. Serve warm.
The recipe taken from here:
Ingredients:
150 g macaroni <-- i just take one packet
(regular 'elbows' or coloured spirals)
1 tin cream of chicken / corn / mushroom soup
125 g grated cheddar cheese <-- replace with parmesa cheese
3 slices picnic ham or 3 rashers bacon <--replace with minced meat. marinate first
(finely sliced)
1 large white onion (diced)
1 tomato (diced)
2 teaspoons margarine
a pinch of black pepper and salt to taste
Method:
1. Bring water to the boil in a pot, adding 1/2 teaspoon margarine and a large pinch of salt. Boil the pasta until it is tender. Drain and leave aside to cool.
2. Heat margarine in frying pan and fry onions until fragrant. Add bacon or ham strips and stir fry for a minute. Add diced tomatoes and season with a little pepper (salt may not be necessary). Turn off heat and leave aside to cool.
3.
Heat soup with recommended amount of water. Place macaroni in oven proof dish and pour hot soup over to the depth of the dish.
4. Sprinkle half the cheese over the macaroni and about 2/3 the bacon / ham mixture. Mix both into the macaroni soup mixture.
5. Cover macaroni with the rest of the ham / bacon mixture and sprinkle the remaining cheese over with a generous sprinkle of black pepper.
6. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes until cheese melts and turns a golden brown. Serve warm.
Bread Making
Today Morning, i decided to bake the bread that i've longed to make since weeks ago. I've got the required ingredients last week, but not the improver which i cant seem to find it at carrefour or ntuc. no time to go else where to search for it, so just go ahead without it.
My bread making was successful ! it looks so good. but the inside a bit sticky, not as fluffy as it looks
I don't have softcopy recipe. so have to post it when i'm free enough to type it all out.
Yipeee !! This is the simple version of bread. next round i'll try the "po lo pao" famous in Hong Kong. But will need few more steps . got to get ready all the ingredients before i can bake it !
Tmw bring my self-baked bread to office for breakie. so satisfying !
My bread making was successful ! it looks so good. but the inside a bit sticky, not as fluffy as it looks
I don't have softcopy recipe. so have to post it when i'm free enough to type it all out.
Yipeee !! This is the simple version of bread. next round i'll try the "po lo pao" famous in Hong Kong. But will need few more steps . got to get ready all the ingredients before i can bake it !
Tmw bring my self-baked bread to office for breakie. so satisfying !
Friday, May 25, 2007
Yam Cake
Sue,
Here's the yam cake recipe, not the one i used, but the steps & ingredients almost similar. You can try. Mine is microwave version, this is purely steam. I don't use tapioca starch, but this has. the comment says it gives glistering look.
Yam Cake (Yu Tou Kueh
Ingredients:
1 small yam (rinsed, skin peeled and cubed)
3 shallots, sliced
2 Tbsp dried shrimps (washed, soaked in hot water to soften)
100 gm rice flour
3 Tbsp tapioca flour
550 ml filtered water
sea salt
1 tsp five spice powder
white pepper
Steps to follow
Steam cube yam for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Heat wok, drizzle in some oil, stir-fry shallots till slightly brown.
Add in the cube yam, salt, five spice powder, pepper and stir for approximately 2 minutes.
Combine rice flour, tapioca flour, salt and filtered water in a saucepan until mixture is smooth (lumps free), place over low heat, stirring continuously with a fork until it thickens like light custard. Remove saucepan from heat and add in all
the yam, mix evenly.
Transfer yam mixture into a 20 cm square cake tin and steam for 25 minutes.
Leave to cool and garnish with chopped spring onions, chili and crispy fried shallots (as preferred). Served with sweet chili sauce of your choice.
Note : Most yam cake recipes call for alkali water which give this dish a gelatin texture but I have omitted it altogether. Instead, I keep my yam cake cling wrapped overnight in the refrigerator to firm up the texture. As for the tapioca flour (tapioca starch), it gives the dish an attractive glistening look.
Here's the yam cake recipe, not the one i used, but the steps & ingredients almost similar. You can try. Mine is microwave version, this is purely steam. I don't use tapioca starch, but this has. the comment says it gives glistering look.
Yam Cake (Yu Tou Kueh
Ingredients:
1 small yam (rinsed, skin peeled and cubed)
3 shallots, sliced
2 Tbsp dried shrimps (washed, soaked in hot water to soften)
100 gm rice flour
3 Tbsp tapioca flour
550 ml filtered water
sea salt
1 tsp five spice powder
white pepper
Steps to follow
Steam cube yam for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Heat wok, drizzle in some oil, stir-fry shallots till slightly brown.
Add in the cube yam, salt, five spice powder, pepper and stir for approximately 2 minutes.
Combine rice flour, tapioca flour, salt and filtered water in a saucepan until mixture is smooth (lumps free), place over low heat, stirring continuously with a fork until it thickens like light custard. Remove saucepan from heat and add in all
the yam, mix evenly.
Transfer yam mixture into a 20 cm square cake tin and steam for 25 minutes.
Leave to cool and garnish with chopped spring onions, chili and crispy fried shallots (as preferred). Served with sweet chili sauce of your choice.
Note : Most yam cake recipes call for alkali water which give this dish a gelatin texture but I have omitted it altogether. Instead, I keep my yam cake cling wrapped overnight in the refrigerator to firm up the texture. As for the tapioca flour (tapioca starch), it gives the dish an attractive glistening look.
Steam Cake
Tonight i'm going to make this steam cake. muahh.. all steam steam steam cos feel healthier !
I will post the photo of my cake making tonight.
Recipe as below:
Steam Cake
Ingredients A:
300g marie biscuit (crush)
10g double action baking powder (sieve)
Ingredients B:
4 eggs
240g sugar <-- reduce to 200g 240g milk Vanilla oil : ¼ tsp Ingredients C: 160g melted butter <-- reduce to 100g Ingredients D: 15g cocoa powder (sieve) Method: 1. Mix Ingredients B into a mixing bowl stir till sugar dissolves, strain 2. Add in Ingredients A and mix until well combined 3. Add melted butter and mix well 4. Divide batter into 3 portions. Add cocoa powder into one of the portion and mix till well combined 5. Grease baking tin (20cm) and line with baking paper 6. Pour 1st portion of plain batter into baking tin and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer, prick 7. Pour in 2nd portion of brown batter and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer, prick 8. Pour in 3rd portion of plain batter and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer and let cool After baking-
I've modified the recipe by reduing the sugar. After baking, i noticed that the cake is a bit oliy, not when eating, but you'll feel ur finger is oily after holding it, so i decided to rduce the butter next time.
The cake is sooo aromatic 9due to marie biscuits and also yummy !! a bit like marble cake but the fragrant is much more than normal marble cake...
Happy happy !! will bring some for cols on Monday !
I will post the photo of my cake making tonight.
Recipe as below:
Steam Cake
Ingredients A:
300g marie biscuit (crush)
10g double action baking powder (sieve)
Ingredients B:
4 eggs
240g sugar <-- reduce to 200g 240g milk Vanilla oil : ¼ tsp Ingredients C: 160g melted butter <-- reduce to 100g Ingredients D: 15g cocoa powder (sieve) Method: 1. Mix Ingredients B into a mixing bowl stir till sugar dissolves, strain 2. Add in Ingredients A and mix until well combined 3. Add melted butter and mix well 4. Divide batter into 3 portions. Add cocoa powder into one of the portion and mix till well combined 5. Grease baking tin (20cm) and line with baking paper 6. Pour 1st portion of plain batter into baking tin and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer, prick 7. Pour in 2nd portion of brown batter and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer, prick 8. Pour in 3rd portion of plain batter and spread neatly. Steam with high heat for 15 mins. Remove baking tin from steamer and let cool After baking-
I've modified the recipe by reduing the sugar. After baking, i noticed that the cake is a bit oliy, not when eating, but you'll feel ur finger is oily after holding it, so i decided to rduce the butter next time.
The cake is sooo aromatic 9due to marie biscuits and also yummy !! a bit like marble cake but the fragrant is much more than normal marble cake...
Happy happy !! will bring some for cols on Monday !
Steam chicken
Ohh.. forgotten to mention i also made steam chicken using the recipe from the DJ's blog. simple and nice. yum yum.
I din take any photo of it. Next time i do again will take.
I exclude the "hua tiao" wine, cos pregnant, cannot take alcohol. still the dish turn out to be very aromatic ( i think due to sesame oil & oyster sauce)and tender.
Recipe
STEAM CHICKEN
Ingredient A:
1 chicken (cut into pieces)
Ingredient B: (marinade)
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp sugar
¼ tsp pepper
1 tbsp hua tiao wine
1 tbsp sesame oil
½ tbsp corn flour
Ingredient C:
8 clove of garlic (chopped)
1 ginger (chopped)
2 chillies (diced)
5 spring onion (diced)
Method:
1. Mix Ingredient A with Ingredients B evenly and marinate
for 15 mins
2. Spread chopped garlic and ginger evenly on chicken,
then sprinkle diced chillies and onion on top
3. Steam over high flame for 15 mins
I din take any photo of it. Next time i do again will take.
I exclude the "hua tiao" wine, cos pregnant, cannot take alcohol. still the dish turn out to be very aromatic ( i think due to sesame oil & oyster sauce)and tender.
Recipe
STEAM CHICKEN
Ingredient A:
1 chicken (cut into pieces)
Ingredient B: (marinade)
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp sugar
¼ tsp pepper
1 tbsp hua tiao wine
1 tbsp sesame oil
½ tbsp corn flour
Ingredient C:
8 clove of garlic (chopped)
1 ginger (chopped)
2 chillies (diced)
5 spring onion (diced)
Method:
1. Mix Ingredient A with Ingredients B evenly and marinate
for 15 mins
2. Spread chopped garlic and ginger evenly on chicken,
then sprinkle diced chillies and onion on top
3. Steam over high flame for 15 mins
Tapioca Steam cake
Gotten this recipe from one of the DJ's blog.
Seems simple enough and i have the ingredients, so yesterday chop chop made it
But, im not sure is the coconut milk or what it tasted funny.. anyway, my tapioca steam cake looks more like onde-onde heee.. taken photo, maybe weekend upload.
Recipe:
Steam Tapioca kueh
Ingredients A: (mixed and steam for 5 mins)
1 grated white coconut
½ tsp salt
Ingredients B:
500g grated tapioca
100g coconut milk
150g sugar
½ tsp salt
Method:
1) Grease baking tin (20cm) and line with banana leaf
2) Mix Ingredients B in a mixing bowl till well combined.
Pour into baking tin
3) Place in steamer and steam with high heat for 30 mins till cooked
4) Leave to cool. Cut and coat with grated white coconut
Seems simple enough and i have the ingredients, so yesterday chop chop made it
But, im not sure is the coconut milk or what it tasted funny.. anyway, my tapioca steam cake looks more like onde-onde heee.. taken photo, maybe weekend upload.
Recipe:
Steam Tapioca kueh
Ingredients A: (mixed and steam for 5 mins)
1 grated white coconut
½ tsp salt
Ingredients B:
500g grated tapioca
100g coconut milk
150g sugar
½ tsp salt
Method:
1) Grease baking tin (20cm) and line with banana leaf
2) Mix Ingredients B in a mixing bowl till well combined.
Pour into baking tin
3) Place in steamer and steam with high heat for 30 mins till cooked
4) Leave to cool. Cut and coat with grated white coconut
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
D&D
This year D&D was quite different from previous years as the theme is so casual and relaxing..Aloha...so we really get to see people wearing beach wear and spaghetti straps and some just wrap in those beach sarong.. we even have 2 guys in coconut leaves only, without shirt for the whole night, wonder if they r cold.
i cant wear anything other than my flaring black dress to cover my bulging tummy. so i never follow the theme.
We get to enjoy coconut drink, fortune wheel, medicure and some tatoo on body..and AGAIN this year our table no one wins anything big prize !!! so dissappointing ! winners get plasma tv, get to go Paris & Hawaii.. sob sob.. when will my turn comes ?? so no luck !
anyway, we enjoy the food that night, i can eat a lot.. eat for two huh ! 2 cols cant make it so we have ample food for the 8 of us..eat until so full .. phewwww.. LGG has been eating like this for few days consecutively ! functions after functions !
Ohh.. one small thing to mention, my boss.. that funny guy again.. never come and greet us .. just peep from far.. we wonder why he always acted like this. even our french boss come from tables to tables to chit chat..
Tom is very very disappointed as he purposely put boss's name with our table this year and yet being turned down without even telling us why. well.. Tom intention is to carry him.. but it was backfired.
Anyway, as for me, i don;t care lah.. so long we enjoy ourselves that's most important.
Now, waiting for APT dinner and year end xmas party ! by then i can bring my bb to the xmas makaning le.. heeee..
i cant wear anything other than my flaring black dress to cover my bulging tummy. so i never follow the theme.
We get to enjoy coconut drink, fortune wheel, medicure and some tatoo on body..and AGAIN this year our table no one wins anything big prize !!! so dissappointing ! winners get plasma tv, get to go Paris & Hawaii.. sob sob.. when will my turn comes ?? so no luck !
anyway, we enjoy the food that night, i can eat a lot.. eat for two huh ! 2 cols cant make it so we have ample food for the 8 of us..eat until so full .. phewwww.. LGG has been eating like this for few days consecutively ! functions after functions !
Ohh.. one small thing to mention, my boss.. that funny guy again.. never come and greet us .. just peep from far.. we wonder why he always acted like this. even our french boss come from tables to tables to chit chat..
Tom is very very disappointed as he purposely put boss's name with our table this year and yet being turned down without even telling us why. well.. Tom intention is to carry him.. but it was backfired.
Anyway, as for me, i don;t care lah.. so long we enjoy ourselves that's most important.
Now, waiting for APT dinner and year end xmas party ! by then i can bring my bb to the xmas makaning le.. heeee..
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
My BB is healthy
yesterday went for prenatal follow up again. monthly check up for the time being. It's a relief to know my bb is growing according to schedule, yesterday did a detail scanning on her body structure such as limbs, organs, heart beats etc etc..
The report stated she is in normal growing range. Phewww.. the most worries being a mothes-to-be is whether the bb you carry is healthy and normal or not.
Blood test also show very minimum chances of down syndrom. This is partly due to age. when you ar 35 and above, you may have higher risk. so i've decided to have all the children i want to have before 35. to play safe.
LGG & i started our prenatal course on saturday. First sessions is very basic, but good for LGG as he don;t read as much as i do, he receive info mostly via what he sees and what he hear so this course will definitely benefit him. and in a way, help in my pregnancy cos if your husband knows more, it's always a plus point.
In the class, all of the couples are first time parents. so, we are actually learning together. mm.. if im having my second child, i don;t think i'll be coming to this class too, cos already have experience lah.
5 more months to go !! Ganbate !
The report stated she is in normal growing range. Phewww.. the most worries being a mothes-to-be is whether the bb you carry is healthy and normal or not.
Blood test also show very minimum chances of down syndrom. This is partly due to age. when you ar 35 and above, you may have higher risk. so i've decided to have all the children i want to have before 35. to play safe.
LGG & i started our prenatal course on saturday. First sessions is very basic, but good for LGG as he don;t read as much as i do, he receive info mostly via what he sees and what he hear so this course will definitely benefit him. and in a way, help in my pregnancy cos if your husband knows more, it's always a plus point.
In the class, all of the couples are first time parents. so, we are actually learning together. mm.. if im having my second child, i don;t think i'll be coming to this class too, cos already have experience lah.
5 more months to go !! Ganbate !
Yam Cake
Yipeee !!! My yam cake making is successful ! I follow exactly the recipe given in the microwave book with exact measurement and all.
Not bad, at least it really tasted like yam cake. but just that i don't have the sauce to go with it.
Sunday, i gave some to my mum-in-law and she said not bad too. kekekek..
I've taken photo of my first yam cake but lazy to on home pc to upload ! next time lah.
While yam cake making was successful but my kaya making was a failure !! cos i forgot to stir, i just leave it to steam so it ended up like scramble egg, chunky. not sticky like actual kaya! but still can eat with bread , the taste and smell exactly like kaya just the texture different. nvm i'll try again !
this weekend, maybe i'll do the steam cake, seem healthy and also tapioca steam cake cos i still have 1/2 package of tapioca left from last week.
Geesss... so much to make but so little time to really sit down and enjoy my food. now, yam cake still have left over in fridge !
Not bad, at least it really tasted like yam cake. but just that i don't have the sauce to go with it.
Sunday, i gave some to my mum-in-law and she said not bad too. kekekek..
I've taken photo of my first yam cake but lazy to on home pc to upload ! next time lah.
While yam cake making was successful but my kaya making was a failure !! cos i forgot to stir, i just leave it to steam so it ended up like scramble egg, chunky. not sticky like actual kaya! but still can eat with bread , the taste and smell exactly like kaya just the texture different. nvm i'll try again !
this weekend, maybe i'll do the steam cake, seem healthy and also tapioca steam cake cos i still have 1/2 package of tapioca left from last week.
Geesss... so much to make but so little time to really sit down and enjoy my food. now, yam cake still have left over in fridge !
Friday, May 18, 2007
Lessons in Logic
some quite true though..
If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it's your stupidity.
...................................................................
I was born intelligent -
education ruined me.
...................................................................
Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect......
so why practice?
...................................................................
If it's true that we are here to help others,
then what exactly are the others here for?
...................................................................
Since light travels faster than sound,
people appear bright until you hear them speak.
...................................................................
How come "abbreviated" is such a long word?
...................................................................
Money is not everything.
There's MasterCard & Visa.
One should love animals.
They are so tasty.
...................................................................
Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.
...................................................................
Every man should marry.
After all, happiness is not the only thing in
life.
...................................................................
The wise never marry.
and when they marry they become otherwise.
...................................................................
Success is a relative term.
It brings so many relatives.
...................................................................
Never put off the work till tomorrow
what you can put off today.
...................................................................
"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep
...................................................................
There should be a better way to start a day
Than waking up every morning
...................................................................
"Hard work never killed anybody"
But why take the risk
...................................................................
"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours
...................................................................
God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.
...................................................................
The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.
...............................................................
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, is a work station....
what more can I say........
If your father is a poor man,
it is your fate but,
if your father-in-law is a poor man,
it's your stupidity.
...................................................................
I was born intelligent -
education ruined me.
...................................................................
Practice makes perfect.....
But nobody's perfect......
so why practice?
...................................................................
If it's true that we are here to help others,
then what exactly are the others here for?
...................................................................
Since light travels faster than sound,
people appear bright until you hear them speak.
...................................................................
How come "abbreviated" is such a long word?
...................................................................
Money is not everything.
There's MasterCard & Visa.
One should love animals.
They are so tasty.
...................................................................
Behind every successful man, there is a woman
And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.
...................................................................
Every man should marry.
After all, happiness is not the only thing in
life.
...................................................................
The wise never marry.
and when they marry they become otherwise.
...................................................................
Success is a relative term.
It brings so many relatives.
...................................................................
Never put off the work till tomorrow
what you can put off today.
...................................................................
"Your future depends on your dreams"
So go to sleep
...................................................................
There should be a better way to start a day
Than waking up every morning
...................................................................
"Hard work never killed anybody"
But why take the risk
...................................................................
"Work fascinates me"
I can look at it for hours
...................................................................
God made relatives;
Thank God we can choose our friends.
...................................................................
The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So.. why learn.
...............................................................
A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, is a work station....
what more can I say........
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
New Hobby
yesterday my asam cuttlefish was not bad. at least i enjoy it ! LGG complained too spicy for him muahh.. but the taste , the aroma.. all there..
today, i went to buy the weighing machine, the greaseproof paper, rice flour. these are my tools to baking !!!
this weekend, i will try to make yam pudding, shall post some photos if successful.
I will try to make the "nine storey kueh" aka kuih lapis, the steps are simple.
shall try out and see.
today, i went to buy the weighing machine, the greaseproof paper, rice flour. these are my tools to baking !!!
this weekend, i will try to make yam pudding, shall post some photos if successful.
I will try to make the "nine storey kueh" aka kuih lapis, the steps are simple.
shall try out and see.
PunCtuality
Simply hate rainy day on weekday morning. bus always so crowded and umbrella dripping water everywhere..
Like usual, i go down to wait for bus around 8:05am. one bus came, not many seats left, many waiting to board. so i thought, ok, maybe i should wait for next one for more seats. so i missed this bus.
The next bus, over-crowded, the bus never even stop. damn. miss this too. already 8:15am. nevermind, i still have plenty of time. so i missed 2 more buses, cos all overly crowded.
but now, it's 8:30am already. im gonna be late and the next bus just take too long to arrive. start to feel nervous. so when the bus finally came, i have to board even crowded. no choice, go to stand. for the past few months, ever since i pregnant, i never take bus that make me stand .. but today exception !!
i reached tampani's bus stop at around 8:55am, i know i'll be late cos i need to walk over which takes abt 5 minutes. floor wet and slippery some more, have to walk extremely slow..
so, today, first time, im late to work for 5 minutes ! sob !
It's not that my work place is that strict but i always believe in pucntuality. I never late to work ! it's a very bad habit to come to work late just b'cos others do the same.
last time, my x-col used to do that, she always come to work near to 9am everthough she suppose to start work at 8:30am. reason being, others also late. which is the attitude i cannot accept.
neeway, my current cols abide to the punctuality principle. only yong sometimes late cos when he is early, he go walk walk, ended up he comes in late.. we always tell him, why don't he comes in first, then if want go out walk walk again lor.. at least boss sees him on time !
Like usual, i go down to wait for bus around 8:05am. one bus came, not many seats left, many waiting to board. so i thought, ok, maybe i should wait for next one for more seats. so i missed this bus.
The next bus, over-crowded, the bus never even stop. damn. miss this too. already 8:15am. nevermind, i still have plenty of time. so i missed 2 more buses, cos all overly crowded.
but now, it's 8:30am already. im gonna be late and the next bus just take too long to arrive. start to feel nervous. so when the bus finally came, i have to board even crowded. no choice, go to stand. for the past few months, ever since i pregnant, i never take bus that make me stand .. but today exception !!
i reached tampani's bus stop at around 8:55am, i know i'll be late cos i need to walk over which takes abt 5 minutes. floor wet and slippery some more, have to walk extremely slow..
so, today, first time, im late to work for 5 minutes ! sob !
It's not that my work place is that strict but i always believe in pucntuality. I never late to work ! it's a very bad habit to come to work late just b'cos others do the same.
last time, my x-col used to do that, she always come to work near to 9am everthough she suppose to start work at 8:30am. reason being, others also late. which is the attitude i cannot accept.
neeway, my current cols abide to the punctuality principle. only yong sometimes late cos when he is early, he go walk walk, ended up he comes in late.. we always tell him, why don't he comes in first, then if want go out walk walk again lor.. at least boss sees him on time !
Monday, May 14, 2007
My Cookings
So proud of myself cos i can cook more dish than say 6 months back..
tonight im going to make asam sotong..follow the recipe book..yesterday blended the chilli paste le.. so tonight just add in the sotong and cook as usual.
my col just passed me the recipe for indonesian kuih lapis..woahh.. so excited.
this week, i will try the yam rice on my own. i will also do the yam pudding (Yu dou gao) cos the yam i bought (1/2 yam) is so much after cubed it. so can split into 2 potions for 2 dish.. mooooo..
i bought a package of tapioca, maybe i can try to make some tapioca related food.. mm..
tonight im going to make asam sotong..follow the recipe book..yesterday blended the chilli paste le.. so tonight just add in the sotong and cook as usual.
my col just passed me the recipe for indonesian kuih lapis..woahh.. so excited.
this week, i will try the yam rice on my own. i will also do the yam pudding (Yu dou gao) cos the yam i bought (1/2 yam) is so much after cubed it. so can split into 2 potions for 2 dish.. mooooo..
i bought a package of tapioca, maybe i can try to make some tapioca related food.. mm..
I can feel You, bb
Recently, i think starting from 2 weeks back, i can start to feel bb moving inside me.. the movement is getting more often..anytime, morning, during work, evening, night...
We are excited to feel bb's movement inside me..From the readings i've done, start talking to bb now will help as bb can hear sounds but may not know what we are talkign about but bb can recognise voices already..
so, shall start my music therapy soon.. put some Enya music to my tummy.. muahh..soothing music helps bb's growth as stated by those baby book to stimulate bb's brain while in the womb.
I wonder if my mum sings to me when im in her womb.. heee
We are excited to feel bb's movement inside me..From the readings i've done, start talking to bb now will help as bb can hear sounds but may not know what we are talkign about but bb can recognise voices already..
so, shall start my music therapy soon.. put some Enya music to my tummy.. muahh..soothing music helps bb's growth as stated by those baby book to stimulate bb's brain while in the womb.
I wonder if my mum sings to me when im in her womb.. heee
Friday, May 11, 2007
I'm BigGER
Friday ! tot wanna wear down.. try to squeeze into my jeans but it seems too tight at the belly.. cant even button..then try on my three quaters.. same.. must breath in to get the button up ! but so tight..start to feel nervous.. try on one of my short skirt.. same.. cannot button .. no need say zip..
sob.. it means time to get maternity clothes.. i cant fit into my normal clothes..i can only fit into my larger skirt..and working pants as i used to buy them in comfortable size.. so still have buffer for my enlarging tummy..
im walking into 1/2 of my pregnancy journey now.. next week will be 5th month le..so fast.. but i wish it is faster..cos it is never easy to carry big tummy around..
i start to feel my inner thighs rubbing againts each other.. my buttock getting wider..my arm getting more flabby.. and my bust line..needless to say.. i have to wear a D cup now.. can u imagine
Today no choice.. i have to go and get some maternity wear.. one stop. already spent 200 plus in that shop with bras, panties, 1 pants, 1 skirt plus a free photo frame..
and of course the so-called VIP membersip card.
The sales lady keep sharing lots of thngs abt her experience till i have to chase her to rush up a bit as i have to get back to work ! no wonder mummies always have topics to talk to each other..
Happy Pregnancy !
sob.. it means time to get maternity clothes.. i cant fit into my normal clothes..i can only fit into my larger skirt..and working pants as i used to buy them in comfortable size.. so still have buffer for my enlarging tummy..
im walking into 1/2 of my pregnancy journey now.. next week will be 5th month le..so fast.. but i wish it is faster..cos it is never easy to carry big tummy around..
i start to feel my inner thighs rubbing againts each other.. my buttock getting wider..my arm getting more flabby.. and my bust line..needless to say.. i have to wear a D cup now.. can u imagine
Today no choice.. i have to go and get some maternity wear.. one stop. already spent 200 plus in that shop with bras, panties, 1 pants, 1 skirt plus a free photo frame..
and of course the so-called VIP membersip card.
The sales lady keep sharing lots of thngs abt her experience till i have to chase her to rush up a bit as i have to get back to work ! no wonder mummies always have topics to talk to each other..
Happy Pregnancy !
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Aloha Fiesta
D&D coming !! happy event.. but this year many cannot make it as the event announced late and some already taken leave or have to work on shift.
however, this year we will be occupying only 1 table just for our department including boss.. all Tom's arrangement. i think he is trying to thank him for those claims approved by boss. thus he purposely arrange it this way.
previously, he always avoid sitting in same table as boss.. anyway, for me no difference lah.. just go there eat and enjoy.. This year im bringing LGG along too..see see look look my compnay grand event..
But this year venue not so fantastic.. Meritus mandarine.. sound not so class..
however, this year we will be occupying only 1 table just for our department including boss.. all Tom's arrangement. i think he is trying to thank him for those claims approved by boss. thus he purposely arrange it this way.
previously, he always avoid sitting in same table as boss.. anyway, for me no difference lah.. just go there eat and enjoy.. This year im bringing LGG along too..see see look look my compnay grand event..
But this year venue not so fantastic.. Meritus mandarine.. sound not so class..
Friday, May 04, 2007
C@_@k-ing SkILL
Mum been here for a week now. she is going back to sis's place for a few days before going back home.
So guess what i've learnt to cook.
(1) Yam rice
(2) Ikan Bilis Chilli
(3) Stingray asam
(4) curry chicken without coconut milk
So now, i have to try to do it myself to be sure i can actually cook these.
i still need to learn from my mum how to make chilli paste. now i use ready made she pack from home.
Happy Cooking !!
So guess what i've learnt to cook.
(1) Yam rice
(2) Ikan Bilis Chilli
(3) Stingray asam
(4) curry chicken without coconut milk
So now, i have to try to do it myself to be sure i can actually cook these.
i still need to learn from my mum how to make chilli paste. now i use ready made she pack from home.
Happy Cooking !!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
What To Do When You're Passed Over for a Promotion
Good article. extracted by LGG.
Well..i just got my promotion this year. so maybe i wont feel too much abt this article but i think it is a good article to know why aren't u promoted yet ?!?
What To Do When You're Passed Over for a Promotion
By Arlene S. Hirsch
Career ladders have largely disappeared in organizational life. Paths upward are clogged and promotions no longer automatically guaranteed. The result: stalled careers and disillusioned employees.
To put your career on an upward trajectory, you need to learn how to make the most of each situation. This includes knowing what to do when you get passed over for a promotion.
In a perfect work world, office politics don't exist, no one ever makes mistakes, and everyone who performs their job properly gets promoted. But the reality is that competence often takes a back seat to office politics, personality conflicts influence decisions, and the best person for a job isn't always the one who gets it.
The Role of Office Politics
A 28-year-old social worker in Chicago admits she had underestimated the importance of office politics before she encountered "the boss from hell." Despite the fact that she was admired and respected by many of her colleagues, co-workers and clients, she got passed over for a promotion she believed she deserved in favor of an outsider who knew nothing about the agency. While the newcomer had no social work experience, she had management skills that the social worker lacked.
Career counselor Janet Scarborough, founder of Bridgeway Career Development in Seattle, believes that individuals often underestimate the importance of organizational politics while overestimating the role of skills and accomplishments. "When you get passed over for a promotion," she says, "you need to ask yourself: 'Have I paid enough attention to the organizational structure?' Get comfortable with the idea that the interpersonal component matters." In other words, if you shun office politics, don't be surprised if you get passed over for promotions. People who are good at office politics are good at building relationships in organizations.
For the Chicago social worker, the first task was sorting out the personal disappointment from the professional ramifications. While she could see the value of hiring someone with management experience, she resented what she saw as the devaluation of her social-work experience. She also suspected that her personality clash with her boss hadn't helped her situation. She was even less sure about whether she'd be able to respect and work with this new manager whose style was so different from hers.
From the other side, her boss worried that the social worker might try to undermine the new manager's authority instead of providing valuable input and expertise. If she wanted to keep her job, she needed to focus on forging a strong relationship with this new manager. This meant setting aside her personal feelings and acting professionally. Still, it wasn't easy for her to continue working in a place where she felt she had no future.
Not getting promoted turned out to be a key to forcing her to re-evaluate her priorities and make necessary changes. When she was able to place the lost promotion in perspective, she realized that, despite her ambition to be promoted, she didn't want to be a manager. She really wanted to become a social-policy analyst.
It Can Feel Personal
Getting passed over for a promotion is almost always painful because the rejection feels so personal. But it may not be a reflection on your abilities at all. That's why it's important to get all the facts before you jump to conclusions. A 35-year-old marketing manager in New York City figured this out after getting passed over for a promotion on three different occasions, despite that, on paper, she was clearly the most qualified candidate for the job. The manager couldn't understand why apparently less-competent people kept getting promoted ahead of her, despite her outstanding achievement record with the company.
Because all the promotions had been given to less-qualified men, she felt she had only two options: file a lawsuit for discrimination or start looking for another job.
In such cases, proceed cautiously, says Lynn Friedman, a clinical psychologist in Bethesda, Md., who specializes in workplace issues. If you're a member of a minority group who has been turned down repeatedly for promotions despite stellar reviews and other kinds of formal recognition, it's natural to wonder whether these rejections are based on discrimination, Dr. Friedman says.
But wondering is different than knowing. Before generating any hypotheses about your boss's intentions, you should consider what other factors might be hampering your efforts. "Your boss may have reasons that have nothing to do with your minority status. For example, she may be more dependent on you than you fully appreciate. She may, for her own reasons, be afraid to lose you. It's important to learn more about why you have been turned down so that you can take effective steps to rectify the situation," says Dr. Friedman.
Be Calm, Not Confrontational
It's hard to accomplish those goals when you're upset or angry. Dr. Scarborough emphasizes the importance of staying calm during such discussions. She says, "Take time to reflect on your situation before seeking feedback. Come at the question from a positive place. Don't be confrontational."
Dr. Friedman agrees. "Deal with your feelings first, preferably with someone outside the workplace, before you go to your boss. Figure out what you want the outcome" of the discussion to be, she says.
In the case of the marketing manager, this meant soliciting feedback about what she needed to do get a promotion. She asked her manager to help identify the skills and accomplishments she needed to position herself for the next promotion and sought her manager's support as a mentor to help her to achieve her goals.
What she discovered surprised her. Rather than devaluing or discriminating against her, the manager was actually grooming her to take over her own position as soon as the manager was promoted. In the meantime, she wanted to keep the marketing manager close to her so that she could continue to mentor her.
This opened the door for the marketing manager and her boss to discuss learning and growth opportunities the company could offer her in lieu of a promotion. Together they developed a career action plan that enabled the marketing manager to continue to expand her skills, increase her responsibilities and make more money even though she didn't receive a promotion at that time.
Had the social worker had this discussion with her boss, she would have learned that she needed more management and supervisory experience. She might then have negotiated with her boss for more formal education and training. She also might have been given day-to-day supervisory and management responsibilities that would help her gain the hands-on experience she needed for a promotion.
Is the Promotion a 'Good Fit'?
Regardless of the reason you're passed over for a promotion, the question of "fit" almost always needs to be addressed. Often the position isn't really the best fit -- either because you don't have the right qualifications or your personality doesn't seem to match the particular situation.
In a perfect world, personalities wouldn't matter quite so much. But in the real world of work, the people you work for and with can make all the difference between success and failure.
Losing out on a promotion you wanted isn't the end of the world. It's not the end of your career, either. "Really successful people use [rejection] as a learning experience," says Dr. Scarborough. "They don't let it immobilize them. They use it as an opportunity to develop and exhibit resilience."
The important thing is to get feedback and gain clarity, Dr. Friedman says. Then, you can figure out what you need to do to change.
What's important is to learn from the experience and, in the process, take the initiative to become more resilient, confident and self-directed.
So, if you don't get that job you wanted:
· Take time to process your feelings, preferably with someone outside of the organization.
· In an objective, nonconfrontational and supportive meeting with your manager, solicit feedback to determine why you were passed over.
· Determine what you're seeking: Do you want to expand your role, change your job title; get a pay raise, receive professional training, or reapply for the position?
· Evaluate your future with the company based on the feedback you received.
· Develop an action plan.
-- Ms. Hirsch is the author of "How to Be Happy at Work" (Jist Publishing, September 2003). She's based in Chicago.
Well..i just got my promotion this year. so maybe i wont feel too much abt this article but i think it is a good article to know why aren't u promoted yet ?!?
What To Do When You're Passed Over for a Promotion
By Arlene S. Hirsch
Career ladders have largely disappeared in organizational life. Paths upward are clogged and promotions no longer automatically guaranteed. The result: stalled careers and disillusioned employees.
To put your career on an upward trajectory, you need to learn how to make the most of each situation. This includes knowing what to do when you get passed over for a promotion.
In a perfect work world, office politics don't exist, no one ever makes mistakes, and everyone who performs their job properly gets promoted. But the reality is that competence often takes a back seat to office politics, personality conflicts influence decisions, and the best person for a job isn't always the one who gets it.
The Role of Office Politics
A 28-year-old social worker in Chicago admits she had underestimated the importance of office politics before she encountered "the boss from hell." Despite the fact that she was admired and respected by many of her colleagues, co-workers and clients, she got passed over for a promotion she believed she deserved in favor of an outsider who knew nothing about the agency. While the newcomer had no social work experience, she had management skills that the social worker lacked.
Career counselor Janet Scarborough, founder of Bridgeway Career Development in Seattle, believes that individuals often underestimate the importance of organizational politics while overestimating the role of skills and accomplishments. "When you get passed over for a promotion," she says, "you need to ask yourself: 'Have I paid enough attention to the organizational structure?' Get comfortable with the idea that the interpersonal component matters." In other words, if you shun office politics, don't be surprised if you get passed over for promotions. People who are good at office politics are good at building relationships in organizations.
For the Chicago social worker, the first task was sorting out the personal disappointment from the professional ramifications. While she could see the value of hiring someone with management experience, she resented what she saw as the devaluation of her social-work experience. She also suspected that her personality clash with her boss hadn't helped her situation. She was even less sure about whether she'd be able to respect and work with this new manager whose style was so different from hers.
From the other side, her boss worried that the social worker might try to undermine the new manager's authority instead of providing valuable input and expertise. If she wanted to keep her job, she needed to focus on forging a strong relationship with this new manager. This meant setting aside her personal feelings and acting professionally. Still, it wasn't easy for her to continue working in a place where she felt she had no future.
Not getting promoted turned out to be a key to forcing her to re-evaluate her priorities and make necessary changes. When she was able to place the lost promotion in perspective, she realized that, despite her ambition to be promoted, she didn't want to be a manager. She really wanted to become a social-policy analyst.
It Can Feel Personal
Getting passed over for a promotion is almost always painful because the rejection feels so personal. But it may not be a reflection on your abilities at all. That's why it's important to get all the facts before you jump to conclusions. A 35-year-old marketing manager in New York City figured this out after getting passed over for a promotion on three different occasions, despite that, on paper, she was clearly the most qualified candidate for the job. The manager couldn't understand why apparently less-competent people kept getting promoted ahead of her, despite her outstanding achievement record with the company.
Because all the promotions had been given to less-qualified men, she felt she had only two options: file a lawsuit for discrimination or start looking for another job.
In such cases, proceed cautiously, says Lynn Friedman, a clinical psychologist in Bethesda, Md., who specializes in workplace issues. If you're a member of a minority group who has been turned down repeatedly for promotions despite stellar reviews and other kinds of formal recognition, it's natural to wonder whether these rejections are based on discrimination, Dr. Friedman says.
But wondering is different than knowing. Before generating any hypotheses about your boss's intentions, you should consider what other factors might be hampering your efforts. "Your boss may have reasons that have nothing to do with your minority status. For example, she may be more dependent on you than you fully appreciate. She may, for her own reasons, be afraid to lose you. It's important to learn more about why you have been turned down so that you can take effective steps to rectify the situation," says Dr. Friedman.
Be Calm, Not Confrontational
It's hard to accomplish those goals when you're upset or angry. Dr. Scarborough emphasizes the importance of staying calm during such discussions. She says, "Take time to reflect on your situation before seeking feedback. Come at the question from a positive place. Don't be confrontational."
Dr. Friedman agrees. "Deal with your feelings first, preferably with someone outside the workplace, before you go to your boss. Figure out what you want the outcome" of the discussion to be, she says.
In the case of the marketing manager, this meant soliciting feedback about what she needed to do get a promotion. She asked her manager to help identify the skills and accomplishments she needed to position herself for the next promotion and sought her manager's support as a mentor to help her to achieve her goals.
What she discovered surprised her. Rather than devaluing or discriminating against her, the manager was actually grooming her to take over her own position as soon as the manager was promoted. In the meantime, she wanted to keep the marketing manager close to her so that she could continue to mentor her.
This opened the door for the marketing manager and her boss to discuss learning and growth opportunities the company could offer her in lieu of a promotion. Together they developed a career action plan that enabled the marketing manager to continue to expand her skills, increase her responsibilities and make more money even though she didn't receive a promotion at that time.
Had the social worker had this discussion with her boss, she would have learned that she needed more management and supervisory experience. She might then have negotiated with her boss for more formal education and training. She also might have been given day-to-day supervisory and management responsibilities that would help her gain the hands-on experience she needed for a promotion.
Is the Promotion a 'Good Fit'?
Regardless of the reason you're passed over for a promotion, the question of "fit" almost always needs to be addressed. Often the position isn't really the best fit -- either because you don't have the right qualifications or your personality doesn't seem to match the particular situation.
In a perfect world, personalities wouldn't matter quite so much. But in the real world of work, the people you work for and with can make all the difference between success and failure.
Losing out on a promotion you wanted isn't the end of the world. It's not the end of your career, either. "Really successful people use [rejection] as a learning experience," says Dr. Scarborough. "They don't let it immobilize them. They use it as an opportunity to develop and exhibit resilience."
The important thing is to get feedback and gain clarity, Dr. Friedman says. Then, you can figure out what you need to do to change.
What's important is to learn from the experience and, in the process, take the initiative to become more resilient, confident and self-directed.
So, if you don't get that job you wanted:
· Take time to process your feelings, preferably with someone outside of the organization.
· In an objective, nonconfrontational and supportive meeting with your manager, solicit feedback to determine why you were passed over.
· Determine what you're seeking: Do you want to expand your role, change your job title; get a pay raise, receive professional training, or reapply for the position?
· Evaluate your future with the company based on the feedback you received.
· Develop an action plan.
-- Ms. Hirsch is the author of "How to Be Happy at Work" (Jist Publishing, September 2003). She's based in Chicago.
Mum ComiNg 2 ToWn
Finally, mum coming this weekend. After delaying for few weeks cos she is learning her dancing..chacha and stuff..super On nowadays..
we plan to have steamboat this weekend and it's time to pick up some cooking skill from mum while she is around !!
Lots of things to share with her...after married and got pregnant.. then i realise how hard it is to be a mother.. before that i wont think much of how she carry us for that 10 months and how she manage to prepare dinner everyday without fail and we just know it's time for dinner and never know she she actually got everything done..
Geesss..i hope i will be a good mum too. wish me luck !
we plan to have steamboat this weekend and it's time to pick up some cooking skill from mum while she is around !!
Lots of things to share with her...after married and got pregnant.. then i realise how hard it is to be a mother.. before that i wont think much of how she carry us for that 10 months and how she manage to prepare dinner everyday without fail and we just know it's time for dinner and never know she she actually got everything done..
Geesss..i hope i will be a good mum too. wish me luck !
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
X-CompANy GossIps
Lunch with x-col and catch up with him on some of the latest happenings in my old company..
Seems like the pillar of the team, is leaving them. They said all b'cos of one manager that has been backstabbing them.
Last time, i used to hear good things abt this manager, people stay back b'cos of him, they dun mind the late nights, the low incentives , cos they said this manager always protect them and fight for their welfare. so on blahh..
Now, it's totally different story i've heard, people is keen to leave cos of him. so ironic.
The company was acquired by another company, our previous bosses all left and sold their share.. what a drastic change..
My x-col said their salary still abt 2k plus..so pitiful.
But hey, i have left, so no more my business.. just feel pity for those who can't seem to make a move due to some commitments and etc..
Just hope for a better career path for all of my friends and of course myself.. haaaa
Seems like the pillar of the team, is leaving them. They said all b'cos of one manager that has been backstabbing them.
Last time, i used to hear good things abt this manager, people stay back b'cos of him, they dun mind the late nights, the low incentives , cos they said this manager always protect them and fight for their welfare. so on blahh..
Now, it's totally different story i've heard, people is keen to leave cos of him. so ironic.
The company was acquired by another company, our previous bosses all left and sold their share.. what a drastic change..
My x-col said their salary still abt 2k plus..so pitiful.
But hey, i have left, so no more my business.. just feel pity for those who can't seem to make a move due to some commitments and etc..
Just hope for a better career path for all of my friends and of course myself.. haaaa
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Read- Up
Two books recommended by my friend from her course, which she finds it interesting:
1)The Absorbent Mind
Description:
In response to the crisis in American education, more than five thousand public and private schools across the nation have adopted the timeless Montessori Method of teaching, of which this book is the cornerstone. Written by the women whose name is synonymous worldwide with child development theory, "The Absorbent Mind "takes its title from the phrase that the inspired Italian doctor coined to characterize the child's most crucial developmental stage: the first six years.
2) The Secret Of Childhood
Description:
Maria Montessori describes the child with warmth and the exactness of a scientist. She also discusses the array of materials and techniques needed to release his learning potential.
About the Authors:
Maria Montessori, born in Italy in 1870, dedicated her life to learning how best to educate children -- particularly the poorest, most challenged children -- during their vulnerable beginnings. Today her legacy is evident worldwide. She died in the Netherlands in 1952.
1)The Absorbent Mind
Description:
In response to the crisis in American education, more than five thousand public and private schools across the nation have adopted the timeless Montessori Method of teaching, of which this book is the cornerstone. Written by the women whose name is synonymous worldwide with child development theory, "The Absorbent Mind "takes its title from the phrase that the inspired Italian doctor coined to characterize the child's most crucial developmental stage: the first six years.
2) The Secret Of Childhood
Description:
Maria Montessori describes the child with warmth and the exactness of a scientist. She also discusses the array of materials and techniques needed to release his learning potential.
About the Authors:
Maria Montessori, born in Italy in 1870, dedicated her life to learning how best to educate children -- particularly the poorest, most challenged children -- during their vulnerable beginnings. Today her legacy is evident worldwide. She died in the Netherlands in 1952.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
BB Diary
I thk i'll start to blog my pregnancy journey..maybe i can refer when i have my next bb.. muahh...
Shall start when i have more free time..
Shall start when i have more free time..
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
ZzzzZZzzzZzzz
Im fighting hard.. real hard to stay awake..
basically, almost every night on weekday, i sleep after 9:30pm.. let's say if i go to bed at 9:40 (include walking time from living to bed, and cover blanket and all, total =10minutes ), then start sleeping at 10pm.. i wake up at 6:30am..i should have slept for 8 1/2 hours.. which is way enough for an adult..
I feel fresh in the morning, brain is working fine.. but when come to afternoon, especially after lunch, my brain's cell is congested with Z bug..
Damn.. got to scribble on paper.. to pretend working.. thking.. but the only word i can write is "sleep"
Help me Help me !!
basically, almost every night on weekday, i sleep after 9:30pm.. let's say if i go to bed at 9:40 (include walking time from living to bed, and cover blanket and all, total =10minutes ), then start sleeping at 10pm.. i wake up at 6:30am..i should have slept for 8 1/2 hours.. which is way enough for an adult..
I feel fresh in the morning, brain is working fine.. but when come to afternoon, especially after lunch, my brain's cell is congested with Z bug..
Damn.. got to scribble on paper.. to pretend working.. thking.. but the only word i can write is "sleep"
Help me Help me !!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Baby-BOOM
This year seems to be the year for many piglet to be produced.
We have local actress Zoey Tay, due in Oct. taiwaness actress "xiao S" both pregnant now.
my mum's neighbour (next door) giving birth this coming July, my mum's neighbour (opp) daughter in law, giving birth in oct too.
My sis's frens, 3 of them. 1 giving birth in 3 months time, 2 in November.
My fren, Helen due in 3 months time , col, Jen due in Sept,
so, we are saying, when these babies grow up, we may have problem getting into the school of our choice, cos all will be fighting to get in.
We have local actress Zoey Tay, due in Oct. taiwaness actress "xiao S" both pregnant now.
my mum's neighbour (next door) giving birth this coming July, my mum's neighbour (opp) daughter in law, giving birth in oct too.
My sis's frens, 3 of them. 1 giving birth in 3 months time, 2 in November.
My fren, Helen due in 3 months time , col, Jen due in Sept,
so, we are saying, when these babies grow up, we may have problem getting into the school of our choice, cos all will be fighting to get in.
Work-ING HaRd ?!?
boss going HK tmw till friday.. kekekke.. no gahmen for 3 days.. kekekkeke..
Somehow, i think if not b'cos im preggy, i've already gone to Japan in March and Hk with him this time. But too bad.. miss all the travelling opportunity. neeway, nvm one lah.. always there is chance for traveling if i remain in this company.
Recently, there isn't much work to do. Sometimes i think people here is not that serious in their work. we are not so stressful to carry out any tasks/projects cos most of the time we will get vendors involved. we just mainly coordinate and make sure things flow smoothly according to schedule. This is how MNC works. We splurge millions of dollars for contracts and all .. but hire people to just corrdinate and plan for more and more upgrades.. we always say upgrades mean to create jobs to justify our working man-day.. muahhh...
I guess, at my stage, the easier the job , the better it is.. i dun want a job that is so strenous that i cant have time to sit down and blog or surf net right ? heeee..
HL is saying, she always wanted a job that pays well and she can settles down with not much work load. But too bad, her career does not go according to her wish. She has to work hard to earn that big buck..and fly here and there..
i always tell her that she has no commitment now, so, should make full use of the commitment-less day to do all the travelling and hard work.. who knows maybe she will come home with some indian bf (she flies to india a lot) then marry, have kids , no chance to fly here and there anymore ?
Geesss...im not sure it is that i cun have much things to do or im just lack of motivation to work..I wonder when the new guy/ger is coming in, to share our "load" muahh...
Somehow, i think if not b'cos im preggy, i've already gone to Japan in March and Hk with him this time. But too bad.. miss all the travelling opportunity. neeway, nvm one lah.. always there is chance for traveling if i remain in this company.
Recently, there isn't much work to do. Sometimes i think people here is not that serious in their work. we are not so stressful to carry out any tasks/projects cos most of the time we will get vendors involved. we just mainly coordinate and make sure things flow smoothly according to schedule. This is how MNC works. We splurge millions of dollars for contracts and all .. but hire people to just corrdinate and plan for more and more upgrades.. we always say upgrades mean to create jobs to justify our working man-day.. muahhh...
I guess, at my stage, the easier the job , the better it is.. i dun want a job that is so strenous that i cant have time to sit down and blog or surf net right ? heeee..
HL is saying, she always wanted a job that pays well and she can settles down with not much work load. But too bad, her career does not go according to her wish. She has to work hard to earn that big buck..and fly here and there..
i always tell her that she has no commitment now, so, should make full use of the commitment-less day to do all the travelling and hard work.. who knows maybe she will come home with some indian bf (she flies to india a lot) then marry, have kids , no chance to fly here and there anymore ?
Geesss...im not sure it is that i cun have much things to do or im just lack of motivation to work..I wonder when the new guy/ger is coming in, to share our "load" muahh...
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Mus1cAL...03 ApRiL '07
"mountain turtles" going to musical for the very first time..
How time flies.. it has been a year since we are officially married !
Happy Anniversary! A late post though.
We booked the ticket last year in the celebration of our anniversary, i wanted to try out something new on this day. It turned out the musical is darn good ! Indeed impressive and satisfying. The musical is an eye-opening to people like us who has never thought we will ever go for a musical play.
The whole set is so up to standard. the backdrop, the actors/actresses, the singings, the music, the scene.. all look so real and keep us awake whole night.. but.. in some singings i still feel sleepy.. cos each songs take few minutes..
There is a short break in between the musical for us to relax our muscles and have some drinks perhaps. The toilet's queue are long but there are many cubicles available, thus, not much waiting time.
So, overall rating for our first musical, i must say a 7/10
It's important to know the story before you go to a musical, else you'll be lost in the singings..lucky thing tcs just showed the movie recently and i've got the story and that has actually just let me enjoy the musical without trying to understand what exactly are they trying to express..
Let's see what's for our second anniversary then..looking forward to it..
How time flies.. it has been a year since we are officially married !
Happy Anniversary! A late post though.
We booked the ticket last year in the celebration of our anniversary, i wanted to try out something new on this day. It turned out the musical is darn good ! Indeed impressive and satisfying. The musical is an eye-opening to people like us who has never thought we will ever go for a musical play.
The whole set is so up to standard. the backdrop, the actors/actresses, the singings, the music, the scene.. all look so real and keep us awake whole night.. but.. in some singings i still feel sleepy.. cos each songs take few minutes..
There is a short break in between the musical for us to relax our muscles and have some drinks perhaps. The toilet's queue are long but there are many cubicles available, thus, not much waiting time.
So, overall rating for our first musical, i must say a 7/10
It's important to know the story before you go to a musical, else you'll be lost in the singings..lucky thing tcs just showed the movie recently and i've got the story and that has actually just let me enjoy the musical without trying to understand what exactly are they trying to express..
Let's see what's for our second anniversary then..looking forward to it..
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Baby Joy
It's nice to have friends who is sharing the same experience as u esp pregnancy.
Jen and i preggy almost the same time and due almost the same time, just 2 weeks apart. Thus, whenever we meet, we have never ending topics to talk abt..
i learn many thing from what she read or her doc told her.. she too learn things from me through my sis-in-laws experience..
after some comparison, we noticed that having baby in s'pore have more check-ups and more spending cos ther are many more medical details that doc in s'pore take note of than in m'sia.
You'll feel relief that someone is also going through the same journey as you are.. but she is luckier cos she dun get any morning sickness at all.. she just gain weigh uncontrollably.. haaa..and she said her nose is bloating... which i din notice it before so im not sure whether it is larger but bee bee ever told me her nose is getting bigger due to pregnancy..
Yesterday, we have gotten the bed and mattress.. mum is coming in mid april.. soon soon.. happy happy...
Happy Holiday to all.. Tmw is good friday ... long weekend muahhh..
Jen and i preggy almost the same time and due almost the same time, just 2 weeks apart. Thus, whenever we meet, we have never ending topics to talk abt..
i learn many thing from what she read or her doc told her.. she too learn things from me through my sis-in-laws experience..
after some comparison, we noticed that having baby in s'pore have more check-ups and more spending cos ther are many more medical details that doc in s'pore take note of than in m'sia.
You'll feel relief that someone is also going through the same journey as you are.. but she is luckier cos she dun get any morning sickness at all.. she just gain weigh uncontrollably.. haaa..and she said her nose is bloating... which i din notice it before so im not sure whether it is larger but bee bee ever told me her nose is getting bigger due to pregnancy..
Yesterday, we have gotten the bed and mattress.. mum is coming in mid april.. soon soon.. happy happy...
Happy Holiday to all.. Tmw is good friday ... long weekend muahhh..
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