World Mental Health Day: Embrace Silence, Nurture Kindness

World Mental Health Day, yet every day should be dedicated to nurturing our mental well-being. Take a moment to observe your surroundings, and you'll quickly realize that each one of us, including myself, requires positive mental health. This awareness is essential because mental health can encompass both positive and negative aspects. Before delving into the subject of mental health, consider spending just one minute silencing your thoughts to listen to yourself. Only through self-listening can we truly assess our mental well-being. Otherwise, we may find ourselves preaching about mental health to others without addressing our own needs. It's paramount to start with self-awareness.

Sri Lankan Fish Curry/Malu Hodhi - A Modified and Creative Twist!

Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey to Sri Lanka with a mouthwatering fish curry recipe? Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a modified and creative twist on the traditional Malu Hodhi, featuring the delightful flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine. While it may not be an exact replica of the authentic dish, this version is sure to impress with its fusion of spices, coconut milk, and a touch of creativity that makes cooking an artful expression.

Embracing the Fiery Passion: The Indispensable Chillies in Malaysian Cuisine and Gardening

In Malaysia, the love for spiciness runs deep in our culinary culture. Chillies, with their fiery punch, are an essential ingredient that adds a delightful kick to our dishes or serves as a zesty accompaniment. As Malaysians, we simply can't imagine our meals without that familiar spiciness. Whether it's a dash of sliced chillies mixed with lime juice and soy sauce or vinegar-soaked chillies, the craving for that distinct heat on our palates is insatiable. Join me as I share my experiences of seeking chillies abroad, the joys and challenges of gardening them, and the intrinsic connection between chillies and our well-being.

Indian Kachumber Salad: Tangy, Spicy, Crunchy

Are you craving a salad that bursts with tangy, spicy, and crunchy flavors, without the hassle of cooking (Malay Style Okra Salad)? Look no further than the North Indian-style Kachumber Salad - a refreshing, no-cook delight (Turkish Cucumber Salad) that will elevate your dining experience. This zesty salad pairs perfectly with rice, complements burgers, and is a mouthwatering topping for hot dogs in soft buns. The best part? It requires minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for entertaining guests (Indonesian Water Spinach Salad) or enjoying a quick, healthy treat. Prepare this salad in advance, refrigerate it, and serve it chilled - a perfect appetizer for any occasion.

Marriage and Culinary Exploration: Vietnamese Delights (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant)

In the journey of marriage, we learn valuable lessons, and one of them is that you don't always have to compromise on your food preferences. Last Sunday, this lesson took me on a delightful food venture in Bandar Rimbayu. As my husband headed to a kopitiam for Indian cuisine (K2 Kopitiam), I found myself at Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant, craving Vietnamese flavors. This unassuming eatery, also serving Bak Kut Teh and Chinese dishes, offered a menu right on the table - a thoughtful touch.

Embracing Roses: Lessons in Resilience and Growth

Those who've been following my social media and blogosphere journey are likely aware of my deep passion for gardening (The Enchanting World Of Bunga Kantan/Torch Ginger). Gardening is not just a pastime for me; it's my pride, my joy, and the heart of my fitness sanctuary, Nava's Zen. I have a special affection for herbs, plants, fruit trees, and, more recently, roses. Initially, my attempts with roses were less than successful, but I dedicated myself to mastering the art of rose cultivation. Now, I take pride in the thriving blooms that grace my garden. Roses, with their exquisite beauty and enchanting fragrance, have found a special place in my heart.

The Delights of K2 Kopitiam: A Foodie's Paradise

To be known as a foodie is to embrace culinary adventures, exploring flavors from all corners, be it the streets or coffee shops. While high-end restaurants often steal the limelight, it's essential to remember that delicious food can be found in unexpected places, such as Chinese coffee shops that have reinvented themselves as Kopitiams (Malaysia's Vibrant Street Food). In this blog post, we revisit K2 Kopitiam, located in Bandar Rimbayu, a bustling end-lot coffee shop, where we sampled an array of tantalizing dishes from its diverse stalls.

Bunga Kantan/Torch Ginger: Urban Farming's Culinary Gem

Before anything else, I must ask you this - how you whiff the scent of Bunga Kantan, also known as Torch Ginger or Torch Lily? If you have, you are going to be trilled and excited to read about torch ginger, and for those who have not, I bet you can’t wait to whiff it. Apart from its scent, growing the plant is like placing an obvious shooting up in height green leaves. They simple, in other words, sparkle your garden and when the torch starts to come up, ah, another level of an ornamental nature beauty (YlangYlang). As an urban gardener who grow all things local scenting herbs, my initial planting with torch ginger didn’t get me anywhere.

Turmeric Black Cumin Rice - A Health is Wealth Dish

There's a common misconception that rice should be avoided if you're trying to lose weight. However, that couldn't be further from the truth! With the right approach, you can still enjoy a small portion of rice and maintain a balanced diet (Curry Leaf Coconut Oil Rice). Today, I bring you a delicious and wholesome rice dish that combines the goodness of turmeric and black cumin. This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds (Malay Style Turmeric Rice) but also contributes to your overall well-being (Blue Pea Rice). Let's dive into the delightful world of Turmeric Black Cumin Rice!

Delicious Homemade Pakistani Biryani: A Vegetarian Twist

Making biryani at home (Burmese Biryani) is not something that happens every day. It involves a bit of time and effort to gather all the ingredients, but thankfully, the cooking process is simplified with the use of a rice cooker (Vegetable Biryani). Occasionally, however, biryani becomes a special treat, especially when I have guests coming over. Entertaining is a rare occasion for me, considering the amount of work involved - from cooking to serving, and not to forget the cleaning up afterward. But this time, I was in the mood for something extraordinary (Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani).