10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business

Starting a business sounds exciting. Many in their early twenties now choose entrepreneurship over traditional jobs. But if you've tried and failed or are just getting started, this guide will help you think before taking the plunge (RESILIENCE OF AN OLDER INDIAN WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR).

Before you dive in, watch this video.

Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu: Hawker Food Worth Trying?

It was yet another recommendation for us to try a different Kopitiam - Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu (Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor), a branch of Kopitiam Number One Seri Muda. Like most kopitiams in Malaysia, this one was located on a corner lot. Parking was a breeze, especially since we arrived early, just before 11:30 AM, to secure a table. As soon as we walked in, my handphone camera was already in action, capturing the scene (PENANG MAINLAND FOOD ADVENTURES).

Watch the YouTube Shorts Video to see our food adventure at Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu before I share more.

Easy Pumpkin Barley Dessert Recipe

Easy but super delicious dessert. Tender, naturally sweet pumpkin with barley cooked to the right texture. Sweetened with rock sugar and scented with pandan leaves (screwpine leaves).

 

This Malaysian dessert is a popular Chinese dessert, often found at dessert stalls in coffee shops or sold by van vendors alongside other desserts. You can also use Gula Melaka (palm sugar) or go sugarless for a healthier option.

Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Rose Valley

For just RM5.00, you can stroll through a paradise of roses in various colors, sizes, and species. As you walk up the steps, more breathtaking blooms unfold before you. If you're not rushing, you can easily spend an hour here, though half an hour is sufficient (KUALA KUBU BHARU DAY TRIP).

Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm
This free-entry bee farm offers an insightful look into honey production. Watching the busy bees at work in their wooden hives was fascinating, though keeping a safe distance is advisable. While not the most thrilling experience, it was educational, and I picked up a few honey varieties reputed for their wellness benefits.

BOH Tea Centre (Sungai Palas Garden)
A trip to Cameron Highlands is incomplete without visiting a tea plantation. Our stop at BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre included a 20-minute guided tour inside the tea factory, detailing tea leaf processing. The Boh Café offers breathtaking views of the lush tea valley, making for a perfect photo opportunity. A leisurely walk down the steps led us out of the center, completing the experience.

Butterfly Farm
With an entrance fee of RM10.00, the Butterfly Farm showcases a stunning collection of butterflies in various colors and shapes. The magical, nature-inspired setting makes for an enchanting visit. We spent less than 30 minutes here, but those who love butterflies could linger longer.

Big Red Strawberry Farm
This farm features rows of thriving strawberry plants, with ripe strawberries ready for picking. The on-site café offers a relaxing space to enjoy refreshments while overlooking the farm. A simple yet lovely experience.

Dinner and Breakfast

For dinner, we randomly picked Restoran Sheng Ming and enjoyed fried mee hoon and pork soy rice -delicious and satisfying. The next morning, we returned for a classic breakfast of toast, eggs, kaya, butter, and a hearty bowl of mee hoon soup noodles.

Farewell to Cameron Highlands

Bidding farewell to Cameron Highlands was bittersweet. While the sightseeing was enjoyable, we felt there wasn’t much else to do unless we wanted to idle away our time at the hotel or wander aimlessly. If you love nature, flowers, tea, and fresh produce, Cameron Highlands is a nature breathtaking getaway. Plan your visit wisely to make the most of this scenic highland retreat.

(Ms. Nava, a spirited Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at the vibrant age of 58. With over 22 years as a lecturer, including at Curtin University’s Degree Twinning Program, she dreams of traveling 365 days a year. However, she embarks on her enchanting 'Zen Journeys' whenever her yoga instruction, coaching, and counselling profits allow her to).

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Repurposing leftover steamed chicken creates a fresh, sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy No-Cook Chicken Salad with the fragrance of spring onions. Call this recipe (NO-COOK BOILED PEANUT SALAD) No-Cook Chicken Salad, or even Chicken Salsa, thanks to the burst of sweet tangy notes from pineapple.

What type of cooked chicken can be repurposed for this salad? Literally anything, from fried chicken, curried chicken, roast chicken, or steamed chicken as in this recipe. No leftovers? No problem. The easiest method is steaming a piece of chicken with some salt or pan-grilling chicken, which also works for making a healthy chicken salad.

Spicy Eggs Recipe: Resepi Telur Balado Indonesia

Boiled eggs (TURMERIC EGG/TELUR KUNYIT) coated in a spicy Indonesian chili paste are Telur Balado, or simply “spicy eggs.” The Balado Sauce is the heart of Indonesian food, packed with fiery flavors and the fragrance of bay leaves, known as daun salam in both Indonesian and Bahasa Malaysia.

 

For extra aroma, ingredients like daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaves) can also be added.

 

Balado sauce is sold ready-made in stores, but nothing beats homemade Balado sauce. Even as a no-cook sauce, it pairs well as a dipping sauce. Just squeeze some lime juice atop before serving with dishes like ikan bakar (grilled fish), mee goreng (fried noodles), or other classic Indonesian dishes (SALTED FISH SAMBAL). 

Xiang Bak Kut Teh – Kota Kemuning (Shah Alam)

On this particular Saturday afternoon, I walked into Xiang Kota Kemuning, a branch of the  Klang Original Xiang Bak Kut Teh, right as they opened at 11:15 AM. As the first customer, I had the freedom to choose my seat. The ambiance, with its classic Chinese design,  made me feel at home - it was exactly the kind of setting you'd expect for an a Bak Kut Teh meal (EASY INSTANT BAK KUT TEH RECIPE).

For those who prefer a visual representation, I’ve captured my experience at Xiang in a video (see below). Don’t forget to subscribe to our Nava’s Zen Channel for more updates. Subscribe Now. But for those who prefer reading, let me share my experience.

No-Cook Boiled Peanut Salad Recipe

Refreshing, tangy, and with just the right touch of sweetness and spiciness - this No-Cook Asian Style Peanut Salad is pure deliciousness (NO-COOK CUCUMBER PINEAPPLE SALAD). In Malaysia, peanuts are a staple. Whether fried, boiled (kacang rebus), or even from a canned, braised or boiled peanuts, used in Malaysian Chinese cooking.

 

That canned variety is especially convenient for salads. Just drain and toss it with chilies, tomatoes, zucchini (or cucumber), and fresh coriander leaves.

Salted Fish Sambal Recipe: Sambal Ikan Asin

The traditional classic, a much-loved Malaysian food. Spicy, savory, tangy, and bursting with umami, this Salted Fish Sambal (Sambal Ikan Asin) with crispy fried salted fish is a dish that never goes out of style.

Between the Indonesian sambal ikan asin and the Malaysian version, the ingredients are almost the same. But it is the sambal that sets apart Indonesian food and Malaysian food (CHICKEN RENDANG/RENDANG AYAM) from the rest of Southeast Asian cuisine. 

While spicy gravies and sauces are common across Southeast Asia, where vegetables, meat, and seafood are cooked, the sambal remains the heart and soul of both Malaysian and Indonesian kitchens.

Restoran Kopitiam Number One (Taman Sri Muda) Shah Alam

Recommended by a friend, we decided to visit Restoran Kopitiam Number One, a corner-lot Chinese coffee shop, on a Saturday. Parking was a bit of a challenge; it took a few rounds before we finally found a spot. Arriving around 11:30 a.m., we were greeted by an array of hawker stalls offering a modest yet varied selection of food. As expected of a traditional coffee shop, staples like bread toast with eggs and hot beverages shared the spotlight with other local favorites.

Japanese Grilled Teriyaki Salmon Recipe

Mention salmon, and what pops to mind is a Japanese recipe. Between teppanyaki salmon and teriyaki salmon, this recipe focuses on teriyaki salmon. Either a dry style or coated in a thick sauce using soy sauce as the base. It’s garnished with crispy sesame seeds and spring onions (also known as scallions or green onions) for a fresh, crisp, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor.

This recipe is a fusion between Indian-style salmon and Japanese-style salmon. Without the soy sauce base, it becomes grilled salmon, masala salmon or even Japanese grilled salmon. Japanese teriyaki salmon is an easy cooking technique relying on pantry staples (PUMPKIN SOUP). 

Pumpkin Soup

Undeniably irresistible, homemade pumpkin soup is simple yet satisfying. Authentic, buttery, creamy, thick, and indulgent. The classic pumpkin soup, kept simple (CHICKEN SOUP INDIAN STYLE). 

Call it a wellness food, great when you’re under the weather, or as a light yet fulfilling home meal. Using home-grown pumpkins from non-commercial gardeners makes this homemade pumpkin soup affordable and generally free from chemicals and pesticides.

Tips to Boost Your Mental Health: Nature Therapy

Mental health has been a topic of growing awareness, with countless methods explored for improving well-being. From mindfulness techniques to creative practices like mandalas (MENTAL HEALTH & MANDALA BENEFITS), the list is ever-expanding. But have you noticed the rising trend of nature as a powerful mental health booster? It’s more than just a passing fad - nature has become a retreat for urban dwellers seeking solace from the relentless pace of city life.

Chicken Soup Recipe

The ultimate comfort food, chicken soup has been cherished for centuries. From Western-style versions to spiced Indian varieties (INDIAN LAMB SOUP), Indian chicken soup combines spices and herbs, making it both nourishing and flavorful. This recipe is inspired by that tradition and can even be considered a type of Chicken Rasam.

With spices and the fragrance of coriander leaves, it is apt for keeping the body warm during rainy days and comforting when feeling unwell. Generally, soups are made by simmering ingredients over low heat. This recipe takes it a step further by sautéing the spices and aromatics first, releasing extra depth of tastes.

Vegetarian Fried Rice

Spicy, fried with potatoes, green peas, and the fragrance of spring onions, this vegetarian fried rice is made with just 8 ingredients (excluding oil and salt). You can call it Easy Vegetarian Fried Rice, or even Vegetable Fried Rice (RICE-COOKER GINGER RICE). 

Potatoes may be unusual in fried rice, but this recipe is all about them, maybe it could even be known as Potato Fried Rice.