Monday, July 28, 2025

Spicy Prawn with Beans Recipe: Sambal Petai Udang

A bowl of prawns cooked with stink beans, red chili paste, shallots, tomato, lemongrass, shrimp paste and lime juice.

Healthy, spicy superfood. Petai Sambal with prawns, or stink beans cooked in a Malay spicy gravy, is a classic Malaysian seafood recipe. Petai is an acquired taste, not for the faint-hearted due to its strong smell, but beloved by Malaysians (SARDINE SAMBAL/SAMBAL SARDIN). 

 

Packed with health benefits, it contains a list of nutrients. Petai can also be eaten raw as a salad or ulam, dipped in sambal belacan, and paired with fresh vegetables like cucumber and salad leaves.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Sanur Festival: Celebrate Bali’s Coastal Culture in Style

Sanur isn’t just about sunrise walks and calm beaches (though I love those too, don’t get me wrong). This chill seaside town knows how to throw a good party while keeping things breezy, and the upcoming Sanur festival lineup proves it. If you’re looking for fun, color, and a peek into the actual local culture, here’s your cheat sheet for what’s coming next. Mark your calendar, gather your friends, and get ready to swap your Bintang for coconut water (or hey, have both) because these events in Bali will keep your Sanur days anything but boring!

 

Pica Fest (24 – 27 July 2025) at Lapangan Niti Mandala, Denpasar

Monday, July 21, 2025

Indian Food Review: Annapurna Restaurant (Rimbayu)

Social media platforms have become the go-to for discovering where to dine, what to eat, and which restaurants to try. That’s how I came across Annapurna Restaurant, a well rated Indian restaurant in Bandar Rimbayu, Selangor, Malaysia (16 G, Jalan Flora 1/1, 42500 Telok Panglima Garang). Their tagline, “Spices That Speak,” promises authentic Indian flavours, a tempting offer (EASIEST VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK).

 

(Watch the full Indian dining experience at Annapurna Restaurant Rimbayu in Selangor on our YouTube channel)

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Travelling as a Path to Mental Well-Being and Joy of Life

Man standing at the beach during sunset with arms raised halfway, facing the sea, partially visible in silhouette.
It is a well-established fact that globetrotters don't simply escape their daily routines; rather, they enter an unknown, magical world full of surprises and discoveries. Everyone who leaves their comfort zone is exposed to unusual experiences, diverse cultures, languages, and customs.  This self-discovery not only broadens their horizons but also positively affects physical and emotional well-being, leading to greater life satisfaction levels. Let's take a closer look at the mental health perks of travel. 

 

Nourishing Your Brain 
Psychologists have long noticed that travel stimulates blissful emotions and has a beneficial effect on the human psyche. When we venture to a spot we have never been before, or even just change the environment, our brains are supposed to adapt to novel conditions. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Indonesia Food

Varieties of Indonesian raw salad, placed in big rattan tray, Indonesia.
If not all, some common ingredients shine promisingly for Indonesian foods. These ingredients are not pricey or exclusive. Yet their presence in Indonesian cooking is simply marvellous. It’s striking how such simple ingredients make a profound impact. Nothing is over-done. Whether in Indonesia or in Indonesian eateries abroad, it all begins right at home (SURAKARTA INDONESIA TOP SITES). 

Call these foods humble and simple. They are daily meals in households of average income. Yet when served even in high-end Indonesian restaurants, they sweep the food heart without words. Street stalls reflect the same reality. Local, affordable ingredients create flavors that leave one yearning for more (WHAT TO EAT IN SOUTH AFRICA). 

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Stir-Fried Winged Beans: Kacang Botol Goreng Belacan

Stir-fried winged beans/kacang botol with pounded chillies, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste, seasoned with lime, salt, and palm sugar.

Stir-fried in a spicy, umami belacan paste, these winged beans stay crunchy and full of taste. This dish is a classic Malay-style stir-fried vegetable (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD). It is known as Kacang Botol Goreng Belacan. The key ingredient is shrimp paste (belacan), a staple in Malaysian sambals, spicy gravies, and sauces.

 

Winged beans, also called four-angled beans or kacang botol in Malaysia, are nutritious and affordable. They can be replaced with French beans or long beans. Kangkung Belacan (water spinach stir-fry) is cooked the same way but softer for easier chewing.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Yoga for your pre-wedding planning process: Why is it a great way to manage the stress of this period and be Zen?

A wedding is among the most important days in your life, and particularly because of its significance, this event can bring considerable stress. This is why you must look for other ways that can help you alleviate some of the anxiety and stress of this period. It can be easy to get caught up in your wedding planning, but this process can also leave you feeling exhausted. This occurs because you have a long list of tasks to accomplish, and among the most important ones are finding your bride's dress, organizing the guest list, selecting the right venue, and searching for suitable vendors, among others.


So, when you want to be Zen and alleviate some of the stress, you can try yoga, which is one of the best ways to relax, spend time focusing on yourself, and also keep you in great shape. In this article, we will explore why incorporating yoga into your pre-wedding planning is a great idea. Keep reading to learn more.  

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Vietnamese Food

A whole fried fish, topped with Asian herbs and sauce, Vietnamese style.
One does not have to travel far to dive into Vietnamese food. Its influence has spread worldwide through Vietnamese migrants, restaurants, and even street stalls. In Malaysia, Vietnamese food stalls exist, but in Vietnam, it is a completely different food story (HANOI VIETNAM THINGS TO DO). 

Traditional dishes are prepared as they were decades ago, using local ingredients and time-honored methods. For first-timers, sticking to the familiar is safe, but for adventurous foodies, much more awaits. Forget the usual dishes for a moment. Vietnam is a country where creativity and inventiveness shine in every meal.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Sun Protection: Biore UV Perfect Protect Milk Review

Outer packaging of Biore UV Perfect Protect Milk SPF50+ PA+++ sunscreen; yellow bottle, white cap, dark blue text.
How important is sun protection? In my opinion, it’s not just important, it’s non-negotiable for anyone serious about maintaining healthy skin. Regular use of sunscreen helps reduce the risk of wrinkles, pigmentation, and premature aging (PALMER'S SKIN THERAPY OIL). While the term “sunblock” still appears in casual conversations, it’s outdated in the skincare world. Sunscreens like Biore UV Perfect Protect Milk SPF50+ PA+++ offer reliable, broad-spectrum protection without claiming to block 100% of UV rays.

(A quick look at Biore UV Perfect Protect Milk SPF50+ PA+++ — lightweight texture, smooth application, and sun protection in action.)

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Indian Food Near Me: Restaurant Dhiyaz Curry House

Bright yellow and dark brown themed front counter at an Indian restaurant.
Restaurant Dhiyaz Curry House, which opened its doors in April, is one of the newer additions to the growing list of eateries in the now-popular Bandar Rimbayu area. Located at No. 20, 1/3, Persiaran Rimba, 42500 Bandar Rimbayu, Kuala Langat, Selangor, it’s a relatively short drive from our place in Kemuning Greenville, Kota Kemuning. We left at 11.00 a.m. and arrived by 11.15 a.m. on a Tuesday.

Walking in, we noticed three customers having their meals. The ambiance was welcoming - clean, brightly lit with yellow walls, and accented with a touch of Indian décor. No menu was handed out. Instead, we walked to the food counter and, from the decent spread available at that hour, we opted for two side dishes to go with our South Indian banana leaf lunch (RM11.90 each).

Famous Temples in Thailand

Religion and spirituality are deeply embedded in Thai culture. Whether or not it is a religious day, Thais can often be seen in temples, pra...