I will not hesitate to tell the truth about my birthing experience too. That it was a horrific one.

I had woken up bleeding in the ungodly hours of the night and alone because D-man was away serving the army. I showered and packed my bag before hailing a cab to the hospital. Upon admitting myself, I was told that I needed an emergency c-section right away due to a complication with my placenta. As the doctor goes on to explain the procedure, I had already zoomed out and was in my mind counting the number of hours I had wasted on researching the benefits of drug-free childbirth, the time and dollars spent on pre-natal yoga, consultations with a doula etc, all just to gear up for the much raved about natural labour.

It would be pure hypocrisy to say I was not disappointed with the method of delivery. It certainly doesn’t help that everyone around you are committed advocates of natural childbirth. But did it made me any less of a mother? Hell no, and my sentiments are shared by all my loved ones.

What I am really saying is…if you kicked the kerb & tripped into the same emotional manhole of blaming yourself for a less than perfect birth experience (whatever that is), it’s ok. Just get up, swear, brush the dirt off yourself and move on. The roses and rainbow are right ahead, and will be personally delivered to you by your very own cherub

I’ll show you! I’ll show you all!!

Ingredients (serves 3-4)
2 packets of silken tofu, drained of excess water
3 tbs of chopped spring onions
3 tbs of fried shallots
3-4 tbs of dark soya sauce
2 tbs of light soya sauce
1 tbs of oyster sauce (optional)
dash of sesame oil & white ground pepper
a sprig or 2 of Chinese parsley (optional)

Cut tofu into smaller cubes, or not, if you can’t be bother.

Add the sesame oil.

Steam for 5 minutes. Remove from wok and immediately drizzle all the condiments on the tofu. Lastly add all the greens and fried shallots over it.

I took more time posting this than actually making the tofu dish. It’s that fast and simple!

While it is a widely consumed veggie, not many people realise how richly nutrient-fied it is, probably due to its humble appearance. Half a cup of raw, uncooked bean sprouts contains 1.2g of dietary fibre, 31.5 mcg of folic acid and 7mg of vitamin C. Folic acid is especially important for expecting mums as it’s deficiency is linked to cleft palates and neural tube defects.

Ingredients
2 large handfuls of fresh, crispy beansprouts, washed
1 piece of firm tofu, cubed
handful of sweet peas
1 tbsp of garlic, minced
3 tbsp of sesame oil
1-2 tbsp of oyster sauce (depending on preference)
pinch of sea salt to taste

Heat sesame oil in a wok or pan. Fry tofu on all sides, then remove from pan. (*life saving tip: always pat dry tofu with kitchen towels to prevent splattering).

With the pan still heated, brown the garlic and throw in the peas and add oyster sauce. Throw in the beansprouts and give it a quick stir, adding some sea salt if you like. Quickly remove from heat to prevent overcooking.

Always remember that overcooking veggies is a criminal offense!

And there you have it. The cheapest healthy food you can get.

PS: I’d love to hear from you your favourite variation of this wonderful veg. Please!

Nevertheless these were a delightful sight to behold!

During clinical trials, a lot of results were deemed as placebo effects because people expect to be recovering, even though they were simply taking a sugar pill. Placebo, which is “I will please” in Latin has an evil twin nocebo (“I will harm”). Patients who were told that a certain procedure might “hurt a little” often almost immediately deflate their pain threshold to non existence. Researches stumbled upon an unusual findings on a group of women who believed that they were prone to heart diseases. They were four times as likely to die from mentioned risk factor than women who did not share such pessimism. In other words, your body tracks itself with your believes. Think sick, and you’ll be carted in and out of the A&E more often than you like.

Drug companies and pharmaceutical conglomerates too know about the powerful effects of placebo. Before launching a “new and improved” drug, publicity and hype makes people believe that this new breakthrough will save their lives like a miracle pill. This is the reason why some medicine loses its effectiveness after some time. Its not so much the body’s immunity, but the loss of confidence after the placebo wears out.

So the next time you get yourself “worried sick” literally, be thankful that your body is stronger than you think it really is, and that you are in control of your own life. You can live better and healthier by believing you can.

Add small amounts of rice noodles (cooked) onto the lettuce.

Add some bean sprouts. We love them raw as it is.

Dip the fried tofu into any variety of sweet sauce you have. Mine is a mix of honey bbq and dark chinese sweet sauce. You can also add shrimps or any cooked meat to satisfy the carnivore in you.

Put in the dunked tofu and add a cherry tomato.

Add in mint leaves, coriander, cucumber strips and spring onions. (sorry am getting impatient here)

Pour in a good dose of the fantastic dipping sauce.

And its a wrap! You’ll be trembling with joy by now even before you put the wrap into your salivating mouths. You can tell if your pinky defies your macho-ness and flies up.

At the registration counter of the Radiology department, I presented my doctor’s letter and sat opposite a Patient Service Associate:

PSA: So madam you are here for X-ray?
me: Err..yes…. (looks up at the sign above the reception to double confirm I am at Radiology dept)
PSA: So it says here you need to X-ray your right shin?
me: yeeess..I believe that’s what it says…..
PSA: Can you tell me where is your right shin now?
me: hahaha…that’s a good one! I thought it’s completely smashed too!
PSA: *confused look* (I am totally serious. Apparently so is she)
me: oh you mean..oh ok……the last I checked, my right shin is still below my right knee….like everyone else I believe….But I may be wrong?!?!

She was so pulling my leg right? (no pun intended)

Anyway, apparently my shin is still intact, but there is soft tissue damage and hence the swelling, pain and persistent bruising. I am chugging pain-killers and anti-inflammatory meds right now. The fun part is, ever since I got hold of my X-rays, I can’t keep my hands off them. Its really quite intriguing to look inside yourself and see what you are made of. I mean for real.

Sorry to disappoint you but I don’t have leaves growing inside my legs. That’s my plant behind the X-ray slide.

Would it be freakish to have them framed? Will the framing shop ban me for the rest of my life?

By now, the general masses probably know that being overweight is a big contributor to many fatal ailments and diseases like heart problems. Likewise for pets, being obese creates a host of health problems for them. I’ve heard of dog owners who claim their dogs do not like walking. Walking to dogs is like swimming to fish, no dog will ever reject walking unless it’s too unfit, lethargic or ill (or in some cases, all three of the above).

Proper feeding is no Nasa science. The most appropriate food types in the correct amounts, given at a scheduled time of the day is all it takes to keep your 4-legged friends happy. If your pet is already overweight at this point, do some research on the internet or pay a quick visit to your regular vet to seek professional advice. More often than not, common sense is really all you need. Cutting back on the food quantity, replacing the protein with a lean option and lots of exercise are all virtuous common sense.

Exercise plays a big part to all of us and our pets alike. Adequate exercise means your pets are less likely to spend their pent up energy on other destructive activities like redecorating your garden or eating your sofa. It not only keeps their body fit, working out stimulates their brains (yes Fido has one too!) and keeps them alert, responsive and undoubtedly, very happy. On top of that, the bonding time is simply priceless.

Of course knowing what’s good and actually practicing are 2 different ends of a pole.  But if you do not help your own pets, there is no one out there who can.

Once upon a time I had a wonderful Swede for a boss. He is very cool. I will never forget the time when he wore a tee-shirt that says “My sausage is deadly” to the office. Bet your boss didn’t! Ha! Anyway, he married a gorgeous and kind exotica whom fed us many a great meals. She taught me this wonderful (and healthy) recipe and D-man and I have never gotten sick of it till now. I made it recently for some friends and realize that it’s a really easy and fool-proof dish to bring to a potluck.

Cook pasta, let cool. Then mix everything together. Adjust condiments to suit taste.

Now was that easy peasy or was that easy peasy?

Let me think that over and get back to you later.

*psst:  Tomatoes are one of those “happy foods”. They also contain lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant, and we all know antioxidants make you pretty and fights cancer cells.

This video reminded me very much about her. It felt like a stab to my heart.

I miss her.

Science have yet to prove anything that can prevent dementia, but some studies have indicated a lower incidence of dementia cases when an elderly group were participating in various leisure activities that involves exercising their bodies and minds. Also, a healthy diet and especially one that consists of essential Omega fatty acids seemingly improves cognitive functions in later life.

If you are guilty of not eating well and hiding from the nutrition police, it is never too late to start. All it takes is a little discipline and a lot of common sense. A general rule of thumb, anything that comes from a plant is not a plant. No, that large order of french fries does not substitute your 2 portions of vegetables. If you must eat meat, choose something that looks like its origins. That means no patties, nuggets, and all other “meat” products that has been processed to death.

No one can make you live healthily but yourself. However whatever little steps you take can benefit not just yourself but everyone who loves you.