Sunday, December 22, 2024

Simple Anti-Aging Tips

Indian woman doing Namaskar pose, seated atop of a kitchen aisle
(Updated Version)

Have you noticed how people seem to be aging faster these days, even younger ones? So, what exactly is anti-aging? It’s not about looking 10 years younger than your age but about looking presentable for your age, aging gracefully, and embracing time with confidence. Anti-aging is about reflecting your inner and outer beauty as you age, not trying to turn back the clock.


Here are simple anti-aging tips to help you maintain a youthful and vibrant appearance.

 

Eating Habits

Anti-aging isn’t magic, but it’s all about discipline - especially when it comes to eating. Drink plenty of water - plain water is best. Include a lot of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and opt for steaming or roasting instead of frying. Eat to satisfy hunger, not for socializing or out of greed. Keeping your eating habits aligned with anti-aging principles is key. After all, you are what you eat.


Laughter Therapy
Laughter is one of the best anti-aging therapies. Don’t hold back - let yourself laugh freely. Watch comedy movies and enjoy lighthearted moments to boost those laughter hormones. Did you know that laughter acts as a natural face massage? It moves your facial muscles, stimulates circulation, and infuses your skin with oxygen.

 

Stay Away from Unhappy People

For more laughter therapy, surround yourself with happy, soulful people who keep things simple, easy, and witty. Positive people are like happy hormones - they uplift your spirit. On the other hand, stay away from those who complain, criticize, or are constantly negative. More importantly, avoid people who show off or flaunt their egos. These individuals can drain your energy and negatively impact your anti-aging efforts.

Indian woman posing with a small gardening fork, with sunflower blooms and other plants
Find a Hobby
Engage in meaningful activities that don’t cost a lot of money. Coloring, for example, can be a surprisingly effective hobby for adults. The act of coloring with vibrant crayons or paints can boost your mood and, since smiling is part of the process, it also works as an anti-aging exercise by activating your facial muscles. Other affordable hobbies like gardening can also help reduce stress and keep you youthful (GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS).

 

Yoga Therapy

Yoga is one of the best anti-aging therapies out there. It’s not just for blood circulation; it’s also a mental therapy that works on your mind, body, and soul. Even just an hour of yoga per week helps pump more oxygen into your system, improves blood flow, and leaves you looking refreshed - like you’ve had a facial. Yoga provides you with much-needed "me-time," and feeling relaxed and rejuvenated reflects positively on both your inner and outer self.

Poster explaining yoga’s anti-aging benefits
Basic Skin Care
Yoga should be complemented by basic skincare routines. After your yoga session, cleanse your face, then apply eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. These steps are essential to your anti-aging regimen and much more effective than piling on makeup to hide your age. A consistent, simple skincare routine is key to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. (BASIC SKINCARE TIPS).

 

Time to Take Charge
Aging gracefully is about taking control of your well-being and making small, consistent changes. With these simple anti-aging tips, you’ll enhance your natural beauty and vitality, one step at a time. It’s time to embrace aging with confidence and grace.

Woman facing backwards, in yoga squatting pose, in two piece yoga outfit
(Ms. Nava is a Zen entrepreneur who founded Nava's Zen at 58 and is now in her 60s. She is a certified yoga instructor, coach, and counselor. With over 22 years of lecturing experience, including 13 years in the Curtin University Australia Degree Twinning Program, she shares her passion for Zenfulness through the small steps we take towards aging gracefully and fostering personal growth).


Friday, December 20, 2024

Easy Fish Head Curry - Malaysian Style

A deep round plate with tender fish head pieces in a thick coconut milk curry made with spices and small starfruits
Fish head curry lovers, rejoice! Here’s an easy Malaysian-style fish head curry recipe. Why easy, you ask? Because there’s no grinding or pounding involved—just store-bought spice powders for the curry base.

This isn’t your ordinary fish head curry either. For a unique tang, I’ve used belimbing buluh, a small variety of starfruit. Can’t find belimbing buluh? No worries - just substitute it with a mix of tomatoes and tamarind juice (STEAMED FISH - THAI STYLE). 

Thursday, December 19, 2024

How To Grow Chilies At Home

A handful of small red chillies amongst a few pandan leaves, lemongrass and a piece of ginger on a round chopping board
(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.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Easiest Egg Fried Rice Recipe - Chinese Style

Egg fried rice, fried with eggs, chopped garlic & spring onion, seasoned with salt and pepper. Served in an small oriental Chinese bowl
(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)

Crispy on the outside and soft tender bite inside, Malaysian spiced fried chicken, served with lime wedges
(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.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Kuala Kubu Bharu - A Day Trip

Traditional Chinese Kopitiam ambiance with plastic red chairs and wooden tables
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).

Friday, December 13, 2024

Coconut Creamed Spinach Recipe

Close-up of vibrant Coconut Creamed Spinach in a white bowl
(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).

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Easy and Quick Fried Rice Recipe: Tom Yum

A plate of Tom Yum Fried Rice topped with a fried egg, simple and flavorful
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.

Monday, December 9, 2024

Ylang Ylang: Cananga Odorata Uses and Benefits

Ylang-ylang flower blooming on the plant with its yellow petals visible
(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.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Basic Skincare Tips: Glowing Healthy Skin

Inner peace and confidence contribute to a glowing complexion
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.

Friday, December 6, 2024

Easy Grilled Turmeric Tofu Recipes

Grilled turmeric tofu with tempeh and a refreshing raw salad, served on banana leaves for a rustic, flavorful meal
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.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Asam Laksa Recipe: Vegetarian & Vegan

Close-up view of vegetarian Asam Laksa with noodles, thick broth, and garnishes
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.

Monday, December 2, 2024

Crispy Fried Prawns Recipes: Oats & Cereal Coated

Close-up view of crispy oats-coated prawns
(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).

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...