Arowana Gasping

Cleaned and changed the water in the aquarium because some reddish algae were growing on the surface of the aquarium. The next day, I noticed that our arowana was gasping for air - kept opening its mouth very frequently and later remained at the bottom of the aquarium ! Something was wrong with the water. Quickly changed some of it, add more aeration and put 'yellow Japanese fish medicine' as precaution. It slowly swam to the upper level of the water and remained there, not moving much and still gasping. The next day, it did not open its mouth that big and no sign of gasping. It remained at one corner of the aquarium, near the water surface. Swam slowly every now and then. The following day...it went back to its old self. Up and going again. 

Prescription : We could only try our best and hope that everything would be fine.

Jenny's Vegetarian Herbal Sambal

I love to make this and keep it in the refrigerator. It could last for a month but it is better to make just enough to last for a week because I believe freshness beats all. Sometimes when I am alone, lazy to cook...I just boil some rice to eat it with this sambal which is available in the refrigerator together with julienned cucumber if any. Mix everything just like the Koreans do with their kimchi and rice in a big bowl. Voila ! My bowl of goodness and yummy too ! If there are some crackers (vegetarian, fish, squid or prawn), just crush some into the bowl. Eat with a difference and you can't get this anywhere because it's my very own brainchild of a concoction to cater to my taste buds. Delicious for me but may be the other way for you. If you are game for it, then give it a try.

Ingredients


10 fresh chillies
10 dried chillies
3" galangal (lengkuas)
2" ginger
1" tumeric
5 kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut)- optional
3 stalks lemongrass (serai)
1 stalk torch ginger flower (bunga kantan)
some polygonum leaves (daun kesum)
5 pips of garlics
10 shallots
2 red onions
(grind all the ingredients above)

juice of 10-15 calamansi limes- more if you like it
salt and sugar to taste (according to your liking)
oil to stir fry

Stir fry everything together until fragrant and thick. The colour should be dark reddish orange. Lastly, add juice, sugar and salt. Continue stirring. Ready to serve. Put remainder into air tight sterilized container.


Note** : most of the ingredients have medicinal value, are antioxidants and good for detoxification.

Prescription : Eat and enjoy...pampering oneself is an addition to little things in life.

The Agony of Food Poisoning

Many of us had first hand experience about food poisoning. You are lucky if you are an exception. Last Sunday, I was down with food poisoning . I ate exactly the same food as my family members but I was the only one with it. Luckily my children and hubby were spared. I suspected that it had something to do with the ready made meatball bought from the supermarket. That's one of the reasons that freshly home prepared food is always the best.

The first day was especially terrible. I became an ardent visitor to the loo, making a visit every now too often with urgency. My stomach was throwing a turmoil, like something was somersaulting and turning inside. I threw up a few times until nothing was left, leaving a bitter after taste in the mouth. My head was spinning and other than the loo, my couch was my comfort. The medicine which I took kept being purged out- flagyl for stomach infection, spasmolin for stomach cramp, ultracarbon for absorbing toxins and immodium to stop diarrhea. I forced myself to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and on white rice porridge diet to speed up recovery. My symptoms improved as hours passed by slowly. That night, I was tossing and turning in bed. I could hardly sleep, my whole body was aching. I finally fell asleep in the wee hours in the morning, after throwing up again for the last time at about 1.30 a.m.

I was much better the next day after waking up. 'Bye-bye' to diarrhea and throwing ups. My head was still slightly dizzy and I still need to rest. Other than that, I was fine. My 12-year old son was really nice to help me do house chores since he didn't need to go to school that day. He kept on asking about how I was feeling, getting water for me.....  really being comforting .....

Prescription : There is up and down along our road. Like it or not, we have to face reality.

Malaysia Day 2011

As Malaysians, Malaysia is our home. Therefore, it is Malaysia day in Malaysia every day , especially today. Frankly, Malaysia is a wonderful place to call home although there is room for improvement in many areas and having shortcomings. Relatively, it's so much better in many ways compare to other places .                                    


     HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY !!!


Prescription : How selfless could we be ?

Lowering High Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar etc : Hempedu Pahit (Andrographis Paniculata)

This plant is recommended in the garden for the following reasons :


1. Easy to plant in tropical countries. It will propagate by itself after being introduce into your garden. Shady planting area is preferable with enough water. 3 in 1 plant :- decoration in a pot, greening the garden and could be consumed as natural remedy.


2. Good for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar for those new to these two problems , having above normal readings but still manageable through food and nutrition intake -from my experience, taken fresh is best i.e 7 leaves or the whole young plant (with its roots) from plants that haven't flower yet. Clean & steep in a glass of boiling water, take daily until your blood pressure and blood sugar is within safe level. Then drink 3x a week, follow by once or twice per week for maintenance. The leaves are extremely bitter that some people couldn't stomach it. Therefore capsule forms are  preferred although the effect is not that good.

3. Good for healing sore throat when the leaves were pounded and  taken with honey. Don't drink water for at least half an hour after that - mild antiseptic and healing power. The pounded leaves could be used for treating mild insect bites e.g. mosquitoes.


4. Cooling effect for body heatiness (too much yang) . Therefore not recommended for people with "cool" (too ying) body e.g weak old people with rheumatism.


**Note : when trying any new food or medicine in your diet, precaution must be taken in case you are allergic to the new thing. So try taking a small dose at the beginning e.g only a leave and look out for symptoms like rashes, swelling, difficulty in breathing or stomachache.

Prescription : There are many wonderful plants around us.

Blood Suckers...

There are people who try to make money by living off people's grievances. I refer to them as 'blood suckers'. There are still many people in the world who are not that fortunate compare to us. Some work round the clock but still couldn't put much on the table and forever lacking. They hope for miracle to happen or at least some help from people around. Some are forced to go to illegal money lenders due to certain circumstances because they are not qualified to borrow from legal ones. Therefore, the beginning of further sleepless nights to already bad situation. 

It takes two to tango...a borrower and a lender. Some are so hard press that they have no other choice, for good reasons such as in need of money for medical reasons or education fees for their children and so on. But there are many who don't need much sympathy due to their own doings. They borrow to feed their bad habits of gambling and heavy spending without thinking about consequences. As for the lenders, they know very well that these people would have difficulty to pay off their loans but yet they are willing to give out loans. So both sides are to be blamed in many cases. The borrowers know very well what they are going in for with open eyes and so are the loan givers who charge high returns. 

To be fair, borrowers  must always return what he or she borrowed according to agreement on both sides since they are the ones who borrowed willingly. If not, don't borrow and find other ways to overcome problems !!! Running away is cowardly although it's the only way for many. Some loan defaulters blame the money lenders but I still feel that the borrowers are more in the wrong.


Prescription :  Know the size of your head before buying a hat.

UPSR Examination 2011

Today is the first day of UPSR examination for 12-year old school going children of most Malaysians. This is the first 'big exam' for them and they have been preparing for it for years but will finish in mere 3 days. Don't know who are feeling more tense - children, parents, teachers or tuition tutors?



As for children, they are furnished with the knowledge that they must do well no matter what. Those with better IQs do not face much problem or challenge but for the weaker ones, it's like the first national accepted branding for them for being weak in their studies. The first piece of 'legal paper' that actually indicate in black and white that "you are weak in your studies !" Imagine their feelings, burden and morale at such a young age !!! Of course the exam is actually just to get feedback on the performance of children in their studies so that they and the people around them could take necessary steps to overcome their weakness but through the years, the exam is being treated as something different i.e adding 'class or status' to high achievers and to the people who are directly associated with them. What about the weak ones ? Use your imagination.....this crazy paper chase is not suppose to be like this. Children should enjoy their studies and fill their days with positive knowledge that challenge their curiosity.

Parents , teachers, tuition tutors and people around should play supportive roles, being there for the children and accept them as they are instead of being "KIASU". The road is still a long way for these 12-year old children.....let them grow up healthily and love knowledge in a healthy way. Each child is special in their own way. Some are good in studies, some are good in handiwork, some are good in singing, some are good in sports, some are good in almost everything but to me, a child is the best with a kind, loving, filial heart...having good manners and respect other people. Look around us, deny all you want. The reality is being super good in studies doesn't make a person, the inner self speaks more of a person. The reality is there are some very successful, highly educated and having strings of qualifications people out there who abandon their family and parents. Who are they to look down on others ? Why are they behaving thus ? Maybe the people around them and the society should shoulder some blame for what they are.....

Dear Jason,
All the best in your UPSR and Good Luck. Most important is that you have tried and gave your best !!!
What will be, will be..... Mummy Loves You For You !!!


Prescription : Try your best in your endeavors !

Happy Birthday and Love You, MA !!!

Oh, Ma was real strict with us. Ma embraces the words, " Spare The Rod and Spoil The Child ". We had our share of tasting her super duper magical canes when we were young. We had the choice of choosing her canes - thin, medium size or thick. I had tried each and every. Don't think that thin would hurt less. The medium size was bearable actually, this is speaking from experience. Somehow, we behave better and more obedient when her cane was around, just like doggies huh ? Actually, we were afraid of her cane but as we grew older, we understand the importance of good behaviours and discipline. We grew up well  & healthy and able to laugh about our childhood days, sharing our reminiscences about ma's caning...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Maybe ma's way of discipline is not acceptable these days by child specialists, educators and so forth of today but it works somehow. Many of us grew up with the experience of tasting the cane when we were young without any scarring mentally and in fact, actually help us in a way in building our characters.

Let me make myself clear that I am not a supporter of heavy corporal punishment but I believe that a little light beating on the palm or leg will not harm a child much and actually helps in one way or another in disciplining children. The executor must weigh out the pros and cons, give prior warnings and explain to children. Caning is as a last resource in disciplining. Some children are born with "easier to be taught" where just explaining will do but some need more attention and understanding to be disciplined.


 I know that many might not agree with me. In certain countries, parents could be sued for child abuse for just smacking their child lightly !!!  Isn't that a bit too much ? Anyway, when you love your children, you will intuitively know the best way to lead and guide your children who are very different and unique in personality. Being extremists in anything will not do good for our children, getting a balance will work better......

Prescription : Do the best for our future generation

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A LOVELY LADY, MY DEAREST MA ....!!!

What's Wrong With Our Society ?

Just flip over our newspaper, browse over the latest news in the net or just linger around listening to housewives tales in the market.....something is just not right with the society today. I would say, violence is getting more violent these days. Why ? As the society is getting more develop and advance, the mentality of certain people is getting more corrupt and going nuts. Mostly are near adults or real adults who are supposed to be mature and rational in thinking but somehow, they just have to do things the wrong way, not having any conscience or outweighing their conscience to meet their own goals or agenda at the expense of others.

These people are getting so bold that they could do their shady business in broad daylight, in front of spectators who are too afraid to do anything or even to help like calling the cops or whatever. My nephew was mugged ; punched and kicked at a bus-stop in full view of people waiting to board buses by a group of youngsters in full-faced helmets. His spectacles was broken and his black sling bag was forcefully taken away. Maybe they thought that he had a laptop in it. Then yesterday, there's news  and video clip on robbers that robbed patrons at a mamak restaurant, acting a matter of fact as if it's their right to do so. Then there was the news that robbers had forcefully entered an octogenarian's house to rob her of her ancestral earrings by pulling them off her ears, resulting in torn earlobes. There are so many similar or even worse occurrences happening daily around the world. What's wrong and who to blame ? I just feel so angry and helpless about everything. There are so many theories, programs and measures taken by this group and that group of people but seem to have little effect and not getting much improvement. Animals seem to act better for they only prey for food.....

Prescription : A child is like a clean, white sheet of paper until the people around write, scribble, draw or colour it as time goes by.

 

Just Feeling Lazy

Aiyo, dinner again ! What to cook huh ? Never mind lo, just eat instant noodles will do.....
Hey, still have work, not yet finish ! Wait lah, let me rest a little while, no harm right ?.....
Come on, let's go for a walk.....Don't feel like it, I want to sleep le.....
Do you know what is the time ? Not yet wake up ? It's Sunday lah !.....
The garden is in a mess.....okay, next weekend.....

Prescription : Procrastination is the thief of time.

Celebrating, A Malaysian Way

If you are a Malaysian, you will know that we celebrate lots of festivals or events the whole year round, at any opportunity that come our way. Most of the celebrations have an array of food in tow. Malaysians simply love food, no wonder our nation is facing the problem of obesity which gives bountiful business returns to slimming outlets, slimming gadgets producers and so-called slimming health drinks or nutrition.

Now is yet another celebration for Muslims which is Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Here, most of us will join in the festive mood by visiting Muslim friends and enjoying the delicacies served in their homes. I couldn't resist the allure of rendang especially 'rendang tok' with ketupat and lemang. Simply yummy !!! Other than that, cookies, 'kerepek' and sweet delicacies are a norm to welcome visitors. Nowadays, it's a bit difficult to see traditional titbits in urban homes e.g. "batang buruk", "wajik" and "cakar ayam". Usually, there will be a fusion of food i.e. Western & Eastern food. Then, there's the 'duit raya' (money) for children, something like 'angpows' as in Chinese New Year. You could see the adaptation of the red packets practiced by the Chinese in different designs to cater to the Muslim community and its celebration.

At such occasion, we forget our differences and appreciate more about the similarities among us. I personally feel that when we put our differences aside and recognize each other more as  fellow human beings, the world would be a better place to live. So, no matter what colour, race, religion or status...we are of the same kind, that is humankind.


TO ALL MUSLIMS.....SELAMAT HARI RAYA & MAAF ZAHIR BATIN !!!
TO EVERYONE....... MAY YOU BE WELL & HAPPY ALWAYS !!!

Prescription :  Hello.....your blood and mine is also red.....
 

Fishing In Commercial Ponds

My son went fishing with his dad, uncle and cousin yesterday. An all guys day trip. They headed to a freshwater commercial fishing pond in the morning and spent hours there. Don't know whether it's due to their baits or what, they managed to catch only a tilapia. In the afternoon, they went to a saltwater fishing commercial pond, buying baits from the operator. This time they ended up with a runaway fish and a broken fishing rod. They got home with sunburn skin, feeling exhausted and more than a hundred ringgit poorer. They were disappointed but they got to spend time together which was seldom.


Prescription : Not every wish would come true but we should always stay as positive as possible.

Rashes Headache

My teenage son is having breakout of acne cum rashes on his body since the past 2 months. Change of hormone ? He's definitely getting very sweaty the whole day because he couldn't sit still plus the whether is super hot and humid these days. I'm really desperate. I have been using all kinds of over the counter recommended cream on him.Work fine initially but the breakout came back suddenly after the controlling seem to be doing fine. Therefore I am now trying natural remedies on him and see if they will work because in the long run, natural remedies are better in the sense that they are less or not harmful to the body. Other than that, I make sure he practices body hygiene and uses only mild soap for sensitive skin. His clothing is also loose and light, sleeveless. Wish us luck, okay ?

Prescription : Life has to go on, no matter what hurdles we have to jump over along the way.

Refreshing Dragon Fruit Juice

As the weather is soaring in temperature, we wish for something to keep our body heat down. What could be better than having refreshing cool drinks full of goodness for the skin and easy on our budget ? Also it is simple and easy to prepare, even for children.


Ingredients


1 red pitaya fruit (dragon fruit)-cut/chop into small chunks/cubes
Juice of 3-4 calamansi limes
Sugar/Honey to taste
Lots of ice cubes
1/2 jug water

1.  If you use sugar, it is advisable to mix with some hot water first. Add all the ingredients and stir well.
2.  Pour into a glass and enjoy your drink. If you like, you could add a pinch of salt.


Prescription : Something simple could be enjoyable