Growing and Cooking with Butterfly Blue Pea Flowers

The Butterfly Blue Pea flower, also known as Bunga Telang, is incredibly easy to grow. Just scatter the seeds on the ground or in pots, and they’ll sprout with little effort. The seeds come in pods, and there are plenty of them. I'm growing them along the fence in my fitness area, Nava’s Zen, and they thrive even without much attention. 

If you're an urban gardener like me, you should definitely consider these beautiful flowers. They bloom in stunning shades of purple or dark blue. No fertilizer is needed; just water them. Plus, these flowers are packed with antioxidants and offer various health benefits, such as aiding in weight loss, improving blood sugar control, and enhancing hair and skin health.

 

The Butterfly Blue Pea flower is versatile and has very few side effects, making it a great addition to your diet. However, it's important to enjoy it in moderation and check for any potential side effects, as what's good for one person might not work for another.

He Ju Kopitiam: A Culinary Adventure Through a Food Critic's Lens

We decided to check out a kopitiam, which has become quite popular lately. It seems that just using the word "kopitiam" in a restaurant's name attracts customers for different reasons. Kopitiams can be simple coffee shops serving Malaysian food or fancier places with nice decorations and air conditioning. The fancier ones may be a bit pricier, but they attract people with their tasty food and cozy atmosphere. The one we went to was somewhere in the middle, offering a variety of delicious dishes from both Malaysia and other countries on their menu.

Lemongrass/Serai: Benefits and Lemongrass Tea/Cordial

(Updated Version)

Lemongrass has a soothing, fresh, and clean fragrance that combines bright citrus notes with subtle herbal undertones. The aroma (EASY TIPS FOR GROWING SPRING ONIONS) is a delicate balance of lemony zest with earthy sweetness, enriched by a hint of green freshness. It’s an invigorating scent that not only calms the mind but also rejuvenates the spirit, making it one of my favorite fragrances. At Nava’s Zen, lemongrass is an essential part of our wellness practices, offering both aromatherapy benefits and culinary versatility (LEMONGRASS RICE).

Zesty Malay Okra Salad: A Veggie Delight

Okra, known locally as "bendi" in Malay and sometimes referred to as lady’s finger, is a versatile ingredient in Malaysian cuisine. It’s often used in curries and stir-fries, which are popular dishes here. However, Ms. Nava not only grows okra but also highlights it in traditional Malay recipes (TOFU RENDANG). Growing okra can be a challenge, especially during heavy rains when the plants don’t survive, requiring her to regrow them. She leaves a couple of okras on the plant to dry naturally, later harvesting the seeds for replanting.

Now, let's talk about Malay Okra Salad, or Kerabu Bendi. One key ingredient is kerisik, which is grated coconut that's dry-fried or pan-fried and then pounded. Sometimes, I make it from scratch, but for convenience, I also buy it. I’ve also created Turmeric Kerisik (NASI KUNYIT/TURMERIC RICE), where turmeric powder is added while frying the coconut, and it can be sprinkled over salads or used in stir-fries.

Restoran Top 1 Kopitiam: Malaysia's Vibrant Street Food Scene

As an avid food lover, I may not claim to be the world's top foodie, but I've had my fair share of dining experiences both within and outside my country. While traveling abroad, I've had the pleasure of indulging in various cuisines. I must confess, I'm not a picky eater and can enjoy a meal anywhere without following strict food rules. 

Unlike some self-proclaimed foodies, I embrace all sorts of culinary delights, except for beef due to my religious beliefs rooted in Hinduism. Although I cook regularly at home, I often take a break to explore the realm of dining out. Lately, I've found myself drawn to the fascinating world of street food, which offers a delightful array of flavors right here in Malaysia.

Zen Blooming: Ylang-Ylang's Therapeutic Delights

Ylang-Ylang, a cherished part of Nava's Zen, is a natural essence that perfectly aligns with our zen yoga-fitness-oriented nature therapy. As the gardener (Cultivating Convenient Gardening) I, Ms Nava, made sure to include this plant in my garden from the very beginning. Over time, it has grown to a substantial height, but I carefully trim it to maintain its size. 

The delightful aspect of ylang-ylang lies in its vibrant yellow flowers and their captivating scent. To enhance this aromatic experience, I even place some of the flowers in our rainwater barrel, where they gracefully float and infuse the water with their enchanting fragrance.

Personalized Diet Plans: Your Unique Weight Loss Journey

Losing weight and achieving your desired shape and size is a personal journey that requires careful consideration of various factors. While someone else's diet plan may have worked wonders for them, it's crucial to understand that one size does not fit all. We are unique individuals with different lifestyles, ages, professions, likes, and dislikes. This article aims to shed light on the importance of customized diet plans and the positive impact they can have on your weight loss journey.

Embrace Your Individuality

Every person's body is different, and what works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. It's essential to recognize and appreciate your individuality when it comes to your diet and weight loss goals. Your lifestyle, preferences, and specific needs should all be taken into account.

Cultivating Convenient Gardening: Welcoming Nature's Splendor

Join me on a journey through my personal gardening experiences, filled with mistakes, failures, and invaluable lessons (Blossoming Passion: A Journey Of Gardening). Let me reveal the honest truths about home gardening and captivate you with the wonders it holds.

Home gardening should be a convenient endeavour, where simplicity reigns supreme. It's about finding an approach that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. The essentials revolve around watering your plants according to their needs, providing fertilizers when necessary, and repotting those that have outgrown their containers. However, it's important to recognize that not all plants can be saved, and sometimes letting go is the only option. Consider replacing them with similar varieties or exploring new possibilities. Remember, the size of your garden matters. The larger it is, the more time you'll need to allocate for its care. Don't overlook the importance of keeping your surroundings clean, even if you're gardening in pots. Regular cleaning and sweeping will ensure a tidy and inviting atmosphere. The time you invest will depend on the number of plants you have.

Revealing Radiant Skin: Inside My Daily Skincare Routine

Are you one of those people who are obsessed with their skin? Well, there's no shame in that. After all, our skin is the largest organ of our body and it deserves all the attention and care that we can give it (Embracing Eternal Youth With Yoga And Skincare Mantras). In this post, I want to focus specifically on the skin on our face because it is the most visible part of our body and it requires a different level of care than the rest of our skin. 

You might be wondering why I'm making a distinction between the skin on our face and the rest of our body. The reason is simple - the products that we use to take care of our skin are not all the same. For example, the lotion or cream that we use on our hands or legs might not be suitable for the delicate skin on our face. That's why it's important to use products that are specifically designed for the face.

Pineapple Salted Fish Curry & Pineapple Recipe

I’m the ultimate foodie - always on the hunt for new flavors and never one to shy away from a culinary adventure (SZECHUAN LONG BEANS). From five-star restaurants to roadside stalls, you’ll find me indulging in just about anything. There's no "mudguard" mentality here; I'll eat wherever and whatever catches my fancy. But there’s a downside to this passion: the people in my life are fussy eaters with endless restrictions. “I don’t like this, “I can’t eat that,” and “Street food? No way!” - you get the idea.

Eating out with them is like replaying the same old song at the same eateries, ordering the same dishes. It’s become so monotonous that I’ve resorted to dining solo. Even my husband, bless him, has a laundry list of limitations - except when it comes to Indian food. Put a plate of curries in front of him, and he’s all smiles. It took me years to expand his culinary horizons (TOM YAM FISH), and while he’s gotten better, he’s still pretty reluctant to try new things. The funniest part? These folks won’t even try something before deciding they don’t like it. Funny, right?

Blossoming Passion: A Journey of Gardening, Learning, and Perseverance

Step into the tranquil beginnings of my journey in Kota Kemuning two decades ago, where amidst the calm, a yearning for vitality stirred. With my spouse often away, I craved solace and purpose. Balancing academia and domesticity, the idea of crafting a blog and delving into culinary ventures beckoned.

 

Yet, it was the sight of the barren plot outside my home that ignited an insatiable desire for lush greenery. Having only dabbled in indoor plants before, the notion of gardening felt foreign. However, the vast potential of this newfound space sparked an intense passion within me.

Versatile Long Beans: Szechuan, Basic, & Egg Stir-Fry

A couple of years ago, I grew long beans, but unfortunately, their lifespan is only about 4 months, so you need to replant them to continue harvesting. I didn't get around to replanting them back then, but now I've started growing them again. The plants are slowly coming up, and I'm hopeful for a good harvest for my cooking. In the meantime, I buy them, and they are quite affordable (VEGETARIAN TOFU RENDANG). Long beans are a favorite in my household.

I cook them in Indian style (VEGETARIAN DEVIL/DEBEL CURRY), but for a quick Chinese-style dish, stir-frying is the way to go. This recipe is quite simple, and as someone who cooks Chinese dishes regularly, I always keep peanut oil, sesame oil, and soy sauce on hand. Szechuan peppercorns, available at Chinese grocers, also last a long time and should be stored in the fridge.

Harmony and Rejuvenation: Embracing Eternal Youth with Yoga and Skincare Mantras

Have I mentioned how yoga can work wonders for anti-aging? If I haven't, my apologies, because the benefits of yoga go far beyond just flexibility and relaxation (Unveiling The Truths of Yoga & Yoga Magic). Picture this: while striking those yoga poses and engaging in mindful breathing (DBT MINDFUL BREATHING), you're actually giving your body a secret weapon against aging.

Malaysian Wildboar Curry/Kattu Pandi Kulambu

(Updated Version)

It’s always amusing, or maybe just expected, that among a group of ten Indians, only one or two might indulge in pork. It doesn’t exactly ruffle my feathers, but dining out with them can be quite the adventure, as they tend to steer clear of any place serving pork dishes. This tendency is especially strong among the older crowd, although the younger generation is more open to pork.

 

Interestingly, those who shy away from pork (CHINESE PORK CHOPS RECIPES) often have a hard time explaining why. Some claim it's because pork is “unclean,” others cite religious reasons, and many just stick to what their parents did, continuing a long-standing tradition. Indians generally prefer the familiar over the exotic, which is a bit of a contrast to my own adventurous palate. Dining out with them often involves a careful check of their preferences and, amusingly, a lot of fuss over trivial matters, even though they brag about dining at Jamie Oliver’s or Gordon Ramsay’s spots. Oh, the irony.

Rotkohl (German Red Cabbage): A Timeless Culinary Tradition

I've dined at several exclusive German restaurants, where the cost is a bit steep, but worth it for an occasional indulgence. My favorite dishes are the German sausages and pork knuckles (CHINESE HERBAL PORK SOUP), typically served with potato salad, a fresh salad, and either Rotkohl (braised red cabbage), Weißkohl (fermented green or white cabbage), or Sauerkraut (sautéed green or white cabbage). I sometimes buy German sausages to grill at home, pairing them with crouton salad (TURKISH CARROT YOGURT SALAD), cheese, and whatever sauce I have on hand.

Menopause Symptoms - How Yoga Helps

Before anything else, I must emphasize that symptoms vary among each woman. Understanding this is key - otherwise, we start comparing ourselves to others and seeking advice that may not apply, making things worse (EASY TIPS FOR MENOPAUSE). That said, I’ve rounded up the most common symptoms that many women experience. See if these resonate with you.

 

Hot Flashes

Sweating for no apparent reason is an unavoidable part of menopause. It’s like feeling the heat surge unexpectedly - even under air conditioning or during a scorching hot day. This is due to hormonal fluctuations that trigger hot flashes.