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

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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

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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.

Spicy Lemongrass Steamed Fish: Thai Style

Ah, the irresistible taste of Thai cuisine - spicy, fragrant, and full of bold flavors. Let’s dive into this recipe for Spicy Lemongrass Steamed Fish. It’s not the quickest dish to prepare, but the effort is well worth it for the incredible flavors. Although it requires a bit of preparation and cooking, the end result is a mouthwatering dish (THAI STEAMED FISH WITH CHILLI & LIME).

Fraser's Hill, Pahang - Quiet Getaway

Our journey took us from Raub (RAUB PAHANG MUSANG KING) to Fraser's Hill, a place I had never visited before. Located in Pahang, this hill station has a rich history. It was named after Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader who discovered it in the late 1800s. After his mysterious disappearance in the early 1900s, the area remained abandoned until 1917 when British official J. Ferguson-Davie rediscovered it and saw its potential as a peaceful retreat.

Quick and Fast Pizza: Bread Pizza

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Honestly, I’ve never made pizza dough in my entire life. I personally feel it’s not worth the time, but when I have bread slices that are going to expire, I turn them into bread pizza. See? Quick and fast pizza (EASY MANGO STICKY RICE). I can assure you that your kids or even your older family members will love it. Here are some tips I feel are worth sharing with all of you.

 

Make It Healthy

Include veggies and choose affordable ones, like Brazilian spinach, which is super easy to grow, or local spinach, frozen veggies, or tomatoes. I used daun kaduk (Thai betel leaves), which I grow in Nava’s Zen.

Menopause Symptoms: What You Need to Know

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.

Raub (Tras), Pahang – Discovering Durian

Raub is a town located in western Pahang, Malaysia, situated about 110 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur. Established in the late 19th century, Raub grew as a significant gold mining town during the British colonial period. The town’s history is closely tied to the discovery of gold in the area, which led to the development of mining operations that played a key role in its growth. Today, Raub is known for its agricultural activities, particularly in the cultivation of palm oil and other crops.

Durian Dessert Recipe: Pengat Durian & Serawa Durian

Durian lovers, this one's for you! As much as I enjoy eating durian fresh from the spiky husk, there's something special about creamy durian desserts. Have you tried Pengat Durian or Serawa Durian? Wondering what sets them apart?

Shan Pakistan Restaurant - Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam

As always, when a new restaurant opens in Kota Kemuning, there’s bound to be a buzz in the local Facebook groups, with everyone sharing their dining experiences. Naturally, I was curious and excited to check it out. I visited Shan Pakistan Restaurant on a weekday, somewhat sceptical after reading mixed reviews on Facebook and Google Maps. However, the moment I stepped inside, it felt surreal in the best way possible - a welcoming ambiance that immediately made me feel at ease.

Easy Tips for Menopause

At 37, my periods became sparse - sometimes lasting only a day, then disappearing for months. I knew menopause was coming, but I wasn't sure when. My perimenopause lasted for 7 years, finally culminating at age 45. It was a confusing time, filled with unanswered questions, and I wondered if my health issues were making menopause worse. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned.

Eggplant Curry: Vegetarian & Claypot Style

This eggplant curry isn't just your typical recipe (SPICY VEGETARIAN EGGPLANT: THAI STYLE). Ms. Nava’s twist on the classic involves a unique method of preparing the eggplant, ensuring the curry paste is absorbed deep into the eggplant for a richer, fuller flavor. Cooking it in a claypot deepens the taste, infusing the curry with an authentic touch and enhancing the spices, curry leaves, and a hint of gingerly oil. Simple ingredients, easily found at your local market, come together to create a flavor-packed curry that’s sure to surprise your taste buds (TASTY VEGETARIAN MUTTON RECIPES).

Stress Relief in Minutes: Chair Yoga

Stress is a common challenge in today’s fast-paced world. Often unspoken, it triggers negative emotions like anger, impatience, and frustration. Have you noticed how easily people react to small things, jumping to conclusions without pausing to think? This reflex is usually driven by stress, which prevents us from processing things calmly (STRESS RELIEF & RELAXATION: YOGA BALL).

Stress can also arise from accumulated tension, lack of physical movement, or not taking time to relax. One of the quickest ways to ease stress is through chair yoga. With simple stretches, leg lifts, and mindful breathing, chair yoga can help release tight muscles and quiet the mind. In just five minutes, it allows you to step away from the noise and reconnect with yourself (YOGA BENEFITS FOR ALL: YOGA DANCE).

Black Pepper Crab & Green Curry Crab: Thai-Style Recipes

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I’m stepping away from the usual curried crab and exploring something different (NAVA'S MASALA CRAB) - Thai-style crab. While cooking Thai dishes isn’t new to me, this time it’s Black Pepper Crab, Thai Style, and Green Curry Crab, Thai Style. The one ingredient that makes a world of difference in both dishes is Thai Basil, which you can grow effortlessly. The aroma of this famous herb is invigorating and adds a delightful depth to both dishes (THAI RED CURRIES).

The Black Pepper Crab offers a bold, savory flavor with tender crab meat coated in a fragrant, spicy black pepper sauce. Likewise, the aroma of Thai basil enhances the thick green curry, elevating the dish and the tender crab to new heights.

What to do in Bentong, Pahang: A Simple Trip

It was a spur-of-the-moment trip to Bentong, Pahang - a chance to explore the town and see what it had to offer. Located about an hour and a half drive from Selangor, Bentong is a small town in the heart of Pahang. We set off on a quiet weekday with no real plans, ready to let the journey unfold as it would (TOP THINGS TO DO IN BETONG, THAILAND). 

While Bentong was once a peaceful town, it has now grown with more visitors and activity. Even on a weekday, the traffic was busy, and finding a parking spot was a bit tricky. After finally parking, we began our stroll through the town to check out the coffee shops.

Lose Weight Fast: The Healthy Way

Losing weight fast is not a gimmick - it's achievable in a healthy way that works.  Many of our clients have seen success by following simple, sustainable steps (HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT: SIMPLE TIPS). Did you know you could lose 3 kg in a month? This may seem small, but it makes a big difference to your shape, energy, and well-being. Here’s how to get started.

Mee Siam Recipe Singapore

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Mee Siam, the Singaporean version - though I must confess, I’ve never actually been to Singapore (SINGAPORE LAKSA). Despite traveling widely across other parts of the world, I’ve yet to visit Singapore. Here’s hoping I can work harder and save up for that trip one day. But for now, let’s focus on Mee Siam, specifically the gravy version. This is my own take on it, and it might not even resemble the traditional Singaporean version. Then again, does it really matter - (MEE SIAM VEGETARIAN)?