Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The Beginner's Ultimate Guide to Growing Herbs

Urban gardener standing on a ladder, carefully pruning plants in a modern city garden
(Updated Version)

Gardening is a fulfilling practice that contributes to your overall sustainable zen. It’s also about preserving our eco-world, not just for today but for future generations. Having equipped ourselves with the basic and essential tips on gardening, let’s now move on to the art of growing herbs (ESSENTIAL GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS).

Take it from Ms. Nava, who has been gardening for over 20 years - a journey filled with its share of mishaps. While some gardening challenges are inevitable, let me share with you my guide to growing herbs.

Monday, January 29, 2024

Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings (Kota Kemuning): A Rainbow of Colors

A few days ago, while in the midst of grocery shopping for our home, I stumbled upon Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings in Kota Kemuning. The Rainbow Dumpling immediately caught my attention with its vibrant colors:

Earthy Green Spinach/Chives 

Bright Yellow Pumpkin/Signature 
Soft Red Beetroot/Spicy Kimchi 
Vibrant Blue Butterfly Peas Flowers/Fresh Prawns 
Original/Fresh Fish 
Mellow Black Charcoal/Cabbage  ...........all crafting a holistic wellness color allure on my palate.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Turmeric Fish Recipes: Malay Malaysian Styles

Six pieces of chilli powder and fresh turmeric marinated fish, wrapped in turmeric leaves and pan grilled
(Updated Version)

Turmeric speaks for itself with its well-known health benefits (TURMERIC RICE RECIPE).. Let’s focus on how to make turmeric fish, using fresh turmeric grown at Nava’s Zen. It’s not just the fresh turmeric but also the turmeric leaves used for wrapping the fish. There are two variations, both popular Malay Malaysian styles (BEST MALAY OKRA RECIPE). These recipes may not follow traditional standards, but they are unique and truly exceptional.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Simple Healthy Tips for Women Above 50

Smiling woman with key and luggage heading out
(Updated Version)
Reaching your 50s is a significant milestone - a moment to reflect on the half-century behind you and look forward to the many years ahead. If you’re in your late 40s, you’ve probably already wondered what it will be like to step into the world of 50. By the time you reach this age, you might already be navigating the perimenopause or menopause stages (MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW). I’ve attached videos on this topic for further insight, but for now, let’s dive into some simple tips that can make a big difference in your life.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Mixed Vegetable Korma Recipes

(Updated Version)

Curious about kurma or korma? The creamy curry, made with vegetables or meat and simmered in a fragrant sauce of yogurt, cream, or coconut milk. While "kurma" is beloved in South India and Sri Lanka, "korma" has a global fanbase, spanning North India (SHIMLA HIMALAYAN GEM & CHANDIGARH URBAN MARVELS), Pakistan, Bangladesh, and even the UK and Middle East. 

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Essential Gardening Tips for Beginners

Ms. Nava showcasing her gardening passion
(Updated Version)

Congrats on taking the first step toward gardening (GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS). Whether you're working with a small patch or a larger plot, it’s always exciting to start your own garden. After cleaning up your plot, it’s time to dive into some essential gardening tips for beginners. Let’s get started.

 

Define Your Garden's Concept

It’s helpful to have a rough idea of the concept or theme for your garden. If you’re still deciding, don’t worry. A clear concept will give you direction as you begin. For instance, my garden’s theme is Zen, which led me to incorporate bamboo plants, stones, and pebbles. You could also choose a modern, traditional, or minimalistic theme. Without a clear concept, you may be planting without direction, so it’s worth spending some time thinking about what resonates with you.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Making the Right Choice: Smart Strategies in Buying a Car on a Budget

Cars have definitely changed our lives forever. After all, it allows us to travel anytime and anywhere we want! However, you also can't deny that buying your own car can significantly affect your budget. After all, it's expensive!

Image Credit: ThomasScott | Unslplash.com

But did you know that you can still have your own car even if you're on a budget?

 

How? It's simple - make smart choices!

Saturday, January 6, 2024

The Charcoal Grill: An Entrepreneurial Triumph

Embarking on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that began as a humble stall in a Kota Kemuning coffee shop in 2017, The Charcoal Grill has undergone a remarkable transformation, now standing as a full-fledged restaurant located at 28-1, Jln Anggerik Vanilla BE 31/BE, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor. As one of their patrons from the early stall days, I have always appreciated their grilled platters, particularly the succulent lamb chops. Recently, together with my other half-half, we dined in to experience their expanded offerings and revamped ambiance.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Nasi Ulam/Malaysian Herbed Rice Recipes - Vegetarian

Vegetarian herbed rice – a combination of Malaysian herbs and cooked rice, garnished with red chilies, served on banana leaves

Nasi Ulam is our beloved Malay rice dish, also known as herbed rice. While simple and easy to make, it’s all about gathering the right herbs. As a vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish, you can adapt by using whatever herbs are available - sometimes omitting certain ones is perfectly fine. After all, there are various types of herbed rice, depending on the combination of herbs used. However, the key difference lies in the herbs themselves.

 

At Nava’s Zen, where we grow all the herbs, the experience of handpicking fresh herbs adds a special touch - perfect for those passionate about urban gardening. There are three unique herbed rice recipes to choose from, or you can try each one to see which suits your taste best.

 

With its crunchy texture from the herbs and fragrant, flavorful rice, Nasi Ulam is truly yummlicious.

Spiced Pumpkin Masala Recipe - Indian Style

(Updated Version) The sweetness of pumpkin, cooked in a rich spiced masala paste. This is a pumpkin dish revelation - a true delight for you...