SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Basil + Garlic + Chilli Olive Oil Infusion

Posted by Dorothy under Community Interests, Natural Highs, Wellnessno responses

Pesto is one of my favorite sauce for pasta dishes. So, tired of going around supermarkets looking for basil and sometimes not finding it, I decided to plant some so that I can have it anytime and whenever I have sudden cravings for pesto. After an overgrowth of my basil plant, I decided that to make use of my basil leaves, I have to find something else to do with it other than pesto all the time.Then came my basil + garlic + chili infused olive oil project. It’s so convenient as it can be used in salads, as a dip, in pastas and lots more. For those of you whose mouth are watering now, here’s the recipe you can use. It’s easy and I think even if you are crappy in the kitchen, you will be able to survive this oil infusion ordeal.

You need:

500 ml             olive oil

1 cup / 8 oz      fresh basil leaves

5 – 8 cloves     garlic

3 – 5                red dry chillies

To make a deliciously aromatic infusion:

1) Wash the basil and leave it to dry because water content disrupts the infusion process by causing fungus to form during infusion process

2) Blend garlic and dry chillies

3) Pour 200ml olive oil in a pan, add the blended ingredients and ½ cup of fresh basil leaves, then simmer for about 2 – 3 minutes on low fire ( do not allow it to boil )

4) Remove pan from stove and let it cool

5) Pour ingredients from the pan into an airtight glass container

6) Finally add the remainder ingredients in the container

7) Store in the fridge for about 2 weeks. You can opt to infuse it longer than 2 weeks. The longer you infuse, the richer the taste

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AUGUST 28, 2011

Basking In ‘ME’ Time

Posted by Dorothy under Community Interests, Interesting Reads, Natural Highs, Wellnessno responses

Listen to the ‘Lazy Song’ by Bruno Mars

The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment. It requires them like the body needs food and the mind needs thought.”–Thomas Moore

When was the last time you spent time alone, doing something you like, pampering yourself or taking care of your needs? When was the last time you experienced stillness and calmness?Are you always around the same people everyday?If you have a career, a partner or obligation to raise kids, do you feel that you are giving a lot of your time to the need of others? Do you feel that you have too many things on your hands?? If you are thinking twice to answer these questions, then it will do you good to have some ‘me’ time to re-evaluate your life and schedule.

What is ‘me’ time?

Having time to yourself ( alone/private time ) , out of your normal routine  or away from people you’re always around with. In simpler terms, disengage yourself from daily distractions to regain your identity. Do something you’ve been wanting to do, or something of your interest, or NOTHING at all ( well not literary nothing:) ) In my context, ‘me’ time means spending time alone drinking my favorite Golden Bloom Brand Coffee

When and how to have ‘me’ time?

Anytime…even fifteen minutes can make a difference to you. For instance, allow yourself to lay in bed longer when you do not have to rush to work or your kids to school during the weekend; if you usually cook all meals, you can sometimes pack or call for food delivery so that you can take some time off the kitchen.

Some days, you will surely be able to have more time to yourself. When that happens, turn off your phone during that time, limit your time at the computer, shut the world out. You can go for a long walk by the beach, read a book, watch a movie, or if you are spiritual, meditate. Just forget all your troubles and responsibilities during that ‘me’ period. You can put all those things on hold for a few hours. Remember how it was when you were a carefree teenager??Re-live those feelings again.

Benefits of ‘me’ time to yourself and people around you

I am pretty sure that when you spend your time day in and day out with the same people, be it work colleagues, friends or family, you will tend to get annoyed with little things very easily. This can probably lead to agitation causing stress, miscommunication,or worse:resentment. Such situations will result in emotional stress.

Therefore, if you have a career, such personal development is important to better work performance; if you have a partner, it could help strengthen your relationship and revive the spark you had as new lovers; if you have kids, it makes you a more patient and understanding parent. You become a better parent when you secure your child’s future. Learn about children’s ISA limit here. As a whole, it makes you a better person, one who is more true to yourself. You will have more patience, tolerance and will find that you are able to deal with people more rationally.

Have a journal

Write what you’ve done during your ‘me’ time and how it feels. Reflect on your moods, your physical health and mental state during ‘me’ time as compared to while you’re busy on normal days.  Spend that time listening to your heart, re-evaluating your goals. Often, being solitary can help you gain a new perspective on your life. Note the difference. Discover the real you, without interferences.

Now, go find some time to become ‘you’. Not a dedicated ‘parent’, ‘partner’, or ‘worker’. To put it blatantly, dedicate some time to yourself. Like a car, your engine has to stop running and be serviced once in a while. It may sound selfish, but stop pleasing others! Make yourself a ‘queen’ or ‘king’ just for that short period of time.

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AUGUST 19, 2011

Cooling Your System The Chinese Way

Posted by Dorothy under Community Interests, Interesting Reads, Wellness2 comments

I am pretty sure that a lot of us are familiar with the meaning of yin and yang ( cool and hot or inactive and active ). In Chinese medicine, some food can be categorized as cooling or heaty. Also, a human body can be said to be cold or heaty. Most Westerners find this concept strange and difficult to comprehend because when the body feels hot, they cool it down by having a cold drink. So, let me help clarify the Chinese concept of a cold or heaty body.

When the body is said to be cold, one becomes inactive, tired and lethargic. Just imagine how your body reacts to the cold and gloomy winter. All you want to do is stay indoors and sit by the heater or fire.

When the body is heaty, the body feels hot, you feel thirsty, agitated and short tempered. It is the feeling you have when the weather is above 28 degrees and the sun is right above your head.

The Chinese believe in the balancing of yin and yang energy in the body to avoid sicknesses. So, when the body is cold, one should have heaty foods to neutralize. Example of common heaty foods:

Ginger and Honey – Boil some water and throw in sliced ginger, and a little honey
Coffee
Mangoes
Peaches
Vinegar
Beef
Chicken

On the other hand, when the body is heaty, consume some cold foods. They are:

Barley – Boil some barley seeds and add in rock sugar – serve as a drink
Chrysanthemum – Can be found as a tea
Winter Melon – Normally used in soups
Banana
Watermelon
Yoghurt
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cucumber

The heatiness and cooling effect of foods refer to their capacity to generate sensations – either hot or cold in our body. They do not refer to the state of the food but its effect on our bodies. So bear in mind, a glass of cold drink may not be the solution for a heaty body. If you are in doubt, start experimenting and be sensitive to changes in your body.

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