How To Grow Chilies At Home

(Updated Version)

For a Malaysian like me, chillies are one of the most significant ingredients in cooking. Be it noodles, fried rice, or even sambal, chillies are a staple that brings the much-loved kick of spiciness to our meals. While I can’t speak for every Malaysian, I know that many of us need our daily dose of spiciness.

 

Incorporating chillies into my zen blooming urban gardening (LEMONGRASS - GROWING & LEMONGRASS DRINK) has been an amazing learning curve. I’ve been growing chillies for the longest time, and I’d love to share my tried-and-tested tips with you, especially if you live in an Asian climate where these plants thrive.

Easiest Egg Fried Rice Recipe - Chinese Style

(Updated Version)

A timeless classic. The easiest egg fried rice, forever etched in my memory. Growing up in a humble family, this Chinese-style (CHINESE PORK CHOPS) fried rice was a true treat. Eggs, back then, were a luxury for us, but my late mum, with her unending love, always found a way to bring them into our meals. She knew how much we adored eggs and, despite our limited means, made it a point to buy them with the little money she had (EASY, SIMPLE & QUICK EGG RECIPES)

Ayam Goreng Berempah (Malay Spiced Fried Chicken)

(Updated Version)

Here's a beloved Malay chicken recipe for you today: Ayam Goreng Berempah, also known as Spiced Fried Chicken. This dish is a true favorite, bursting with the flavors of our local Malay herbs and spices. The chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside, with tender, juicy bites inside (4 CHILLI CHICKEN RECPES). 

 

The list of ingredients may seem a bit long, but trust me, it’s worth every effort. Here's a handy tip (PENGAT DURIAN/DURIAN SWEET PORRIDGE): you can marinate the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer. In other words, cook the chicken on the stove with the herb mixture first. Then, when you're ready, simply thaw and fry for a quick, flavorful meal.

Kuala Kubu Bharu - A Day Trip

Kuala Kubu Bharu is a small town located in Hulu Selangor, approximately 70 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. Originally named Kuala Kubu, it served as a significant tin-mining town during British colonial rule. In 1883, a devastating flood destroyed the old town, leading to the establishment of Kuala Kubu Bharu in the 1930s. 

Carefully planned by the British, the town now functions as the administrative center for Hulu Selangor. Over the years, Kuala Kubu Bharu has gained popularity as a destination for urbanites seeking an escape into nature (BENTONG, PAHANG - A SIMPLE TRIP).

Coconut Creamed Spinach Recipe

(Updated Version)

This recipe features spinach, coconut milk, and spices - simple yet flavorful. With minimal ingredients, it’s easy to prepare using what you likely have in your kitchen (EASY CHICKPEA SPINACH  CURRY WITH COCONUT MILK). You can adjust the amount of ingredients to suit your taste. A perfect dish for those who enjoy simplicity without sacrificing deliciousness.

 

As always, my recipes focus on making cooking effortless and mouthwateringly good. Spinach is one of the many things we grow at Nava’s Zen (CLAYPOT EGGPLANT CURRY)- organic, pesticide-free, and available in various varieties. Thinking of starting your own garden? You can grow spinach in pots too.

Bee Ho Ho Steamboat: Bandar Rimbayu

"Curious about our food adventure at Bee Ho Ho Steamboat (Rimbayu Branch)? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the video".

We were actually looking for another coffee shop in Rimbayu, but despite using WhatsApp, mmm, we couldn’t locate it. Assumingly, it doesn’t exist anymore. At that juncture, as we took a turn, the road led us to a place where the signboard of Bee Ho Ho Steamboat caught our attention. It must be a steamboat spot during the later part of the day, but in the earlier hours, it operates as a kopitiam-style eatery, featuring a variety of hawker food fare (CHINESE CHICKEN GINGSENG SOUP RECIPE).

Easy and Quick Fried Rice Recipe: Tom Yum

With time being a valuable resource today, let's simplify cooking and avoid spending more time than necessary (SPICY LEMONGRASS STEAMED FISH: THAI STYLE). Fried rice, a quick and easy dish, is perfect for those moments when you need a meal in a jiffy. It’s also a great way to use up leftover cooked white rice, promoting sustainable cooking. Additionally, growing your own ingredients, like we do at Navas' Zen, can save time on grocery trips.

Ylang Ylang: Cananga Odorata Uses and Benefits

(Updated Version)

Ylang-ylang, a beloved part of Nava's Zen, fits perfectly with our Zen yoga and nature therapy approach, much like the herbs (CILANTRO VS CULANTRO: HEALTH TIPS), veggies, and fruit trees we grow. As the gardener at Nava's Zen, I made sure to include this plant from the start. Over time, it has grown tall, and I carefully trim it to maintain its shape and size, allowing it to thrive in our peaceful Zen.

The Beauty and Scent of Ylang-Ylang

Ylang-ylang is admired for its vibrant yellow flowers and captivating fragrance. These blooms not only brighten the garden but also create an atmosphere of tranquility. To enhance the experience, I sometimes place the fresh flowers in our rainwater barrel, where they float gently on the surface. The subtle infusion of their scent into the water adds an extra layer of relaxation to the space.

Basic Skincare Tips: Glowing Healthy Skin

Let’s be real - skin care starts with taking a good look at the skin on your face. Forget the layers of makeup and skincare for a moment. What’s beneath? The bare skin in the mirror reflects how you care for yourself. Let’s talk basic skincare tips to help that face of yours glow with freshness, vitality, and confidence.

Hands Off, Please.

First things first - always wash your hands before touching your face. If you don’t, you’re transferring dirt, oils, and germs right onto your skin. No wonder it feels dull, lifeless, or even breaks out. Clean hands = clean skin. Simple, but vital.

Easy Grilled Turmeric Tofu Recipes

Turmeric, with its vibrant yellow-orange hue, is as calming to the mind as it is versatile in the kitchen. Renowned for its health benefits, turmeric is anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, supports digestion, boosts immunity, and promotes heart and brain health.

Sri Annamalai Unavagam: Sekyen 15, Shah Alam

Our visit to Sri Annamalai Unavagam was entirely unplanned, driven by a spontaneous decision about where to have lunch while we were just five minutes away from Shah Alam’s Seksyen 15. This humble stall had previously caught my attention on TikTok, known for its much-talked-about vegetarian set meal, priced at RM6.99 - a clever psychological pricing strategy just under RM7.

Asam Laksa Recipe: Vegetarian & Vegan

Curious about a vegetarian and vegan version of Asam Laksa? I’m sure it piques your interest! And why not? However, let me be honest, as always - this vegetarian and vegan Asam Laksa is a recipe I created myself. No copying here, just some thoughts and experimentation, and out came this dish (HOMEMADE VEGETARIAN CURRY LAKSA & CURRY MEE).

One thing to note, especially for those who aren’t vegetarian or vegan and love the traditional fish broth-based Asam Laksa: this version won’t replicate that (ASAM LAKSA: NYONYA STYLE). But rest assured, it will still surprise and delight your taste buds. Now, let's dive into the recipe.

Crispy Fried Prawns Recipes: Oats & Cereal Coated

(Updated Version)

Cooking prawns is a fun adventure, and with Zen Cuisine, it’s all about creativity (CHINESE PRAWN RECIPES). Today, I’m sharing two crispy prawn recipes that bring a perfect balance of oats and cereal - Crispy Fried Oats-Coated Prawns and Crispy Fried Prawns with Cereal. These dishes are the ultimate crunch, delivering happiness with every bite. After all, food is more than just sustenance - it’s a little moment of joy on a plate (FRIED PRAWN WANTON)

Cracked Heel Cream: Footease by Watsons

We’ve talked about foot creams before, and I’ve mentioned that I’d introduce a truly affordable option (FOOT CREAMS: HONEST REVIEWS). But before anything else, let’s take a moment to think about your feet. Have you been taking good care of them? If not, now might be a great time to start. A quick reminder: neglecting your feet can lead to discomfort and even more serious issues like cracked or bleeding heels. Taking just a few minutes each day to moisturize and care for them can save you from a lot of pain down the road (LOREAL PARIS BRIGHT GLOWING CREAM SPF).

Easy Banana Blossom/Flower Recipes: Stir-Fry & Curry

(Updated Version)

Banana blossom, or banana flower, is the nutritious (SWEET SOUR TOFU CHINESE STYLE), often-overlooked flower of the banana tree. While it remains a staple in traditional home kitchens, especially in Indian households, it's rarely seen in modern recipes or restaurants - likely due to the meticulous cleaning process. 

Handling banana blossom can leave sticky residue on your hands, but you can prevent this by applying a bit of oil, using gloves, or washing with lemon juice afterward.

Despite its numerous health benefits, this superfood is gradually disappearing from our diets, replaced by processed foods. Easy to prepare and perfect for stir-fries (EASY QUICK EGG RECIPES) and curries, banana blossom is a wholesome ingredient that deserves a spot in your kitchen.

L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Day Cream SPF17 Review

(Updated Version)

Difference Between Day Cream and Night Cream
Understanding the difference between day and night creams is key to choosing the right product for your skin’s needs. Day creams are typically designed with SPF and antioxidants to protect against sun damage and pollution. They’re lightweight, quickly absorbed, and provide hydration without leaving a greasy finish (WARDAH UV SHIELD ESSENTIAL GEL).

Night creams, on the other hand, are richer and focus on repairing and nourishing your skin. They often contain ingredients like retinol and peptides to restore and rejuvenate your skin overnight, without SPF since sun protection is unnecessary during sleep.