Happy Mother’s Day

Wishing all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. A day to cheer and be proud of ourselves.

Baking Sessions

How did you spent your Christmas holiday this year? I spent most of my days making bread, bread and bread. Ya.. For 3 consecutive days, I have been making a load of bread each day. Really making good use of the new Kenwood BM450 bread maker. Just can't wait to share my baking experience with you all.. Here you go: 

On Christmas eve, I made pure Chocolate bread for my hubby and kids. :) 

Nowadays making bread is just so simple with breadmaker (any brand and model). :) Just throw in all the ingredients and it will do the kneading and raising and then baking on its own. You must follow the amount of ingredient stated in the recipe book ya.. Don't be too pandai pandai to add your own ingredient weight into your recipe ya. Maybe once you master already, then you can add whatever you want into it. So, i followed suit what is stated on the book, what to put first and put end are also important. E.g you can't put yeast first, then top up with water and flour. Your dough will raise too high and end up your bread too hollow inside. So , must follow ya... :) 

The base ingredients are water, egg, flour, brown sugar, salt, butter and yeast. All into the mold waiting to knead.

After the 1st knead process. 

I find this KENWOOD breadmaker does a good job in the kneading processes. It will make sure no dough balance stick at the side of the mold. End result, very clean wall with a nice dough in the centre of the mold. Fantastic! No user intervention! Very auto! 

Baking process done in 55mins!

It is very hot! So wear protective gloves when handle with it!

The mold is a non-stick material. Just turn the mold upside down , a light shake, the bread will come out. Nothing stick in between.. Be careful ya.. must wear protective gloves. Don't get yourself burn, it is indeed piping hot!!

Chocolate Bread waiting to be cut/slice

MASTERPIECE!!

Nice? I share half of the loaf with my parents in law when they dropped by our house to join us for dinner. Got their compliments tau? hehehe.. so happy!! :)

On Christmas day, which is also Sunday, I will bring my kids to visit my mum. I always make it a point to visit them at least once in a week. They actually miss their grandchildren very much. Ya, i miss them too :) Especially my mum. My best friend! :) Made them light wholemeal bread, mixture of high protein flour and wholemeal bread. I think is 70% wholemeal and 30% HP flour. Less sugar for them , as my parents do not really fancy sweet stuff. Oh ya, wholemeal bread won't raise high, it is more compact compare to normal bread. This is normal. :) 

Light wholemeal bread for my mum and dad :)

Another MASTERPIECE!

My parents didn't cook any for lunch on Monday. Just tah-pau some Assam Curry Fish and eat with the bread. FINISHED tau? :P Oh ya, if you see those black dots dots on the bread, those are actually black sesame seeds. I also added white sesame seeds too, but can't see here.. just some additionall touch from me to my parents. :)  

Next, on Monday which is Christmas's replacement holiday, made another bread. Raisin + Chopped Almonds Bread. Saliva dripping le? Hehehe..I weight all the ingredients put all into the mold, also added raisin and chopped almonds into the breadmaker pocket. Ya, it is a pocket! A small compartment to put side dry ingredients. This is new ya.. not all breadmaker has this. Why do we need this? Coz if you put these dry ingredients too early during kneading process, it will turn too soggy and crushed even before baking. So Kenwood breadmaker has these few programmes that will ajar the pocket door, at certain period of kneading, don't you think it is intelligent? :P For this bread, I used the delay timer of 6hours. I set the Start button at 9am , and since i need to bring MM to visit my parents again, so I plan to have my fresh baked bread at 3pm when i reach home. So , i set 6 hours timer , 9am-3pm , is 6 hours la.. Once reached home at 3pm, OMG! The smell!! As though, i entered into bakery shop.. hahahaha! So delighted tau!! 

Add in raisin and chopped almonds into the breadmaker pocket.

Raisin + Chopped Almonds Bread .. The best look!

Another another MASTERPIECE!

Soft inside, crunchy outside!! Delicious!! So satisfying!

The reason I decided to get a breadmaker is because I don't want my family to consume so much artificial perservatives which are loaded into those commercial bread. Since I did not use any perservative, I need to store those bread in good condition. I put all into TUPPERWARE brand containers , and keep it into fridge if we can't finished the load within 2 days time. But, actually usually finished in 2 days time la.. :P Hor??? Hubby hor?? Hehehehe.. :P

New Kitchen Appliance: Breadmaker

Few weeks ago, my hubby told me that maybe we should try to make homemade bread. Lately, almost everyday, our breakfast is bread bread and bread. Of coz, not just plain bread. It will be a rotating ingredients such as ommelette, hard boiled egg, ham, bacon, crabstick, sausages or cheese as the filling of the sandwiches. Before this I always tah-pau nasi lemak, mcD meal and roti canai, in which all these are just too fattening. Beside that, i need to spend extra time to find parking and tau pau from these stall. End up , i'm always way out of clock to reach the office. :S 

My 2 kids loves to eat bread. Sometimes MM will ask 'Mommy! Wo yau men pau'. When MM is eating, the young toddler JJ will want too. JJ nowadays knows how to nod when she wants something. I find that in just 14 months, JJ is quite good in interacting. She can understand us, and we can understand her needs as well. Things is getting easier for us now.. at least. :)

Empress Breadmaker - Cosway

Noxxa Breadmaker Oven - Amway

So, I'm been searching high and low for our preferred home breadmaker. The normal breadmaker is ranging from RM200-RM500. We went to cosway to take a lot at the Empress Breadmaker, which is at RM269 + 5 RP. I almost wanted to buy it coz it suit all our needs, but we changed our mind when the promoter told us that this model will discontinued next year. I wonder what the cosway boss will feel. The promoter is pouring rice out from boss' rice bucket. hehehehe.. :P Then 2 of my colls bought the Noxxa Breadmaker from AMWAY. It is a 3 in 1 appliance (Oven+Toaster+Breadmaker). And it cost about RM1000! Physically it looks like an microwave oven. I'm actually lacking of space to put another big appliance. I guess this option is big no no for me since i already have oven and toaster , and only looking for a breadmaker. 

Elba Breadmaker

Next , we went to an electrical shop nearby our house. We saw this ELBA brand. See once, not bad.. see twice, 'ei, macam tesco breadmaker look'. The price is at RM499, but the boss willing to let go at RM299, without us even asking for negotiation! Skeptical skeptical.. macam tak betul aje..:P So, i tell hubby, go home think thrice first. My objective is simple, i just want to get one durable breadmaker that able to make good breads for my family and at the same time won't eat up my kitchen space.

Kenwood BM450

Have you heard of KENWOOD breadmaker? Heard of Kenwood, sure will concern about the price tag. Price ranging from RM500-RM900. Ya.. luxury brand. It has 2 models in Malaysia BM260 and BM450. BM260 is around RM500+ , but the review about the noise when kneading , pull me back. Check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ZeU5ePkdM&feature=related

BM450 is at RM900 (price quoted by SenQ), Yes.. RM900, mata also terbeliak liao! Some more need to wait for 1 week for stock arrival. But the look of it is so class! Like a love at first sight! Touch screen lagi.. easy for clean up! Like it so much.. seen the review at youtube, love it even more! Check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwiLnEgkuD8 . OK! So made up my mind ! It gotta be KENWOOD BM450. But too pricey wor! How how how le? Been google a lot about it, and finally found a appliance site www.cresdo.com that sell only at RM809. Free shipping lagi! Next, check out if this site is a scam or what.. quite a number of ppl bought from this site and some gave very good review. A blogger even hint me to put in discount coupon 'tweentyoff' during checkout to get additional RM20 discount. HOHOHO ... So total is just RM789.. i'm saving RM111 if i buy from this site. OK! Set. Paid and delivered to my doorstep within 5 working days.


Arrived in superb condition. Warranty chopped and attached. Recipes book all ada.. wah! Siok habis. The look of this breadmaker.. adui.. Memang class! Worth every of my penny!!

Made my first Egg-enriched white bread 2 days ago. So damn happy 1st trial, it turned out so yummy delicious. Hehehehe! So many other recipes to try... just can't wait to try more and more.. Will blog about this more soon..  :)

This weekends, will go shop for more bread ingredients.. Yippie!

Btw, Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family. :)

     

Breakdown

Don't know what happened to my body system for these last 2 weeks. Been coughing for 2 weeks and 3 days ago been down with flu and fever on and off. Finished up 3 bottles Of cough syrup  and took 2 courses of different antibiotic also can't subside the fever. Yesterday, doctor asked me to get admitted to check further but I reluctant as I don't think my hubby can take care of the children at night without me. Doctor gave me a strong and expensive antibiotic injection and thank God, no more fever after day. But I'm still having very bad cough. Now I even have chest pain whenever I cough. Must have injured the chest muscle due to extensive coughing. No choice, now I'm going to see chest specialist at ISH for further diagnosis. I'm sure it will cost me a bomb, but no choice, this expense really must pay. Hopefully nothing serious. Ok! I'm gonna go see doctor now! 

Wordless: Photography

Genting Trip

Finally, myself and hubby have guts to bring our 2 girls for trip. Yeah! Is GENTING trip.. long awaited trip .. :)

Why need "guts"? Actually is mommy who don't have "guts". I just don't have confident to handle these 2 gals at once especially at places which I'm not familiar. But thinking of it, if I don't try I won't know for real if I can cope or not. So here we are! GENTING! Ho ho.. :P

Hubby booked a deluxe room at Theme Park Hotel. With 1 queen size bed and a single bed. Very cosy .. and big enough for kids to move around.

Sister sister! 

YiWen was extremely happy during the entire trip but just too lazy to walk. Maybe she loves to sit on Yijing's new stroller. Poor me, I have to carry 8kg baby up and down the Genting. Shoulder and spine also "senget" already. 

This bergigi-satu-baby was very happy too.. laughing and got excited everytime see her sister running around. Oh, she loves balloon too.. :D

This picture taken by YiWen when i was feeding her sister. Quite a good take by a 2+ years old gal , uh? :P 

Brought along my mini slow cooker to cook porridge for Yijing... yum yum..!

See! YiWen played catch and run game with Papa inside the maze garden.

So cold.. so wet! As though inside the cloud.. Spending lot of time at outdoor enjoying the cold breeze. 

Luckily both gals came back without running nose..  

Generally, a very enjoyable and happy trip for our family. Will plan to go somewhere further next year. Just can't wait!! hehehehe! 

Estee Lauder MakeOver

Bummed into Estée Lauder ‘IT Girl’ Model Search last Monday at Jusco. It was a big event and they actually set up a big and prominent stage for make up artist and hair stylish to make over potential models. Its been long time I did not go for any studio photoshooting.. You know, when i was still in college time... studio photography was a big HIT. We will save up money to capture our teenage look which is also the PRIME look of lifetime. Now, being Mommy of 2 kids... I think i should capture one for the sake of remembrance.. :) When i'm old, toothless, maybe it will make me smile silly looking at those photos .. :P 

Promotion goes like this.. pay RM300 which comes with full makeover, inclusive of wardrobe styling, hair styling, photo shoot, a free instant A4 photo emulating a magazine cover and a redemption voucher for Estée Lauder products worth RM250. 

Photo taken via HTC

Taken at Estee Lauder stage studio

Happy Yippie Mother's Day !!!

Celebrating this year Mother Day's at Fairway Restaurant at Royal Golf Club with PIL, BIL and SILs. Nice place to  be at. At least something different la.. if not sure will go to Chinese (Aircon) restaurants. Really bored already. :P Food wise.. so so only.. but to me, the most important thing is, everyone had good time with each other's presence. :) Wish all mommies , HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! It is our pride to have this day dedicated to us .. :) So enjoy it!

Super Busy Mom! ......... SOOOOOOOOOON...

I could imagine now how busy will i be after my newborn arrive.. Being a FTWM, then reach home take care of 1 toddler and 1 baby.. then at the same time, must punctually pump milk for newborn every 2-3 hours (to maintain the supply).. then have to take care the house chores as well.. phew..

Since my job scope requires me to travel (light one.. ) , it will be even harder.. sigh!! How to pump milk when on the run?

Adding salt to wound.. my hubby also need to travel more too since his projects are out of hometown boundary ..

This gonna be tough.. real tough..

Anyhow, I'm going to face it positively and give the best i can to the family..

Scam Scam Scam!!

This morning i received a call from a guy.. a very professional speaking guy from MBF Bank. He asked me if i call them yesterday to increase creditcard credit limit. I was "Ar? I never had anything with MBF, what credit card?? What credit limit??". Then he repeat my fullname, IC number and contact number, and all at correct info! Then he told me someone must have use my name to apply credit card (of coz in my mind i was thinking which idiot got my photostat IC to apply card?? How daring !!). This "MBF Guy" told me to jot down the card details (number, expiry date, type of card, date of application, branch applied, outstanding balance (>RM9K), credit limit, the last transaction venue and date) so that I can report this to Bank Negara "PUSAT PENGURUSAN KAD PALSU" at 03-2782 6916.

Of course, without knowing it is scam.. i called the number given, but that guy behind (also very professional) told me that he need to on his voice recorder to record this case. So , he will call back. After waited for 15mins, he didn't call. So i called him back asking why he didn't call. Then he told me.. "OkOk.. i call now.. " I started to feel a bit skeptical about this guy.. usually such service line, voice recorder should have already been activated automatically.. then how can BANK NEGARA ding ding dong dong on such fraud report? Surely they should have call me immediately right ? So, i told my MSN friend about it. She said "TIPU wan la!! Don't give anything to him.. " So, i quickly google Bank Negara and MBF website.. YES!! Indeed got such scam!! OMG , i almost got conned.. luckily didn't leak out any info to those idiots..

Hehe.. that "BANK NEGARA" con man did call back.. i wanted to know how he wanna continue his strategy.. he repeated my name, then he pressed few buttons to activate the voice recorder.. then ask me to repeat my name, my ic number.. then i hang up.. he never call me back after that!! Lousy !!

For those who don't know about this.. please be informed.. and also inform your elders who are having credit cards on this scam to never reveal any security info to anyone or corporations over the phone. They might not be as canggih as us who can google immediately for such issue.. and they will be extreme panic knowing someone is trying to steal from their tabung haji which they susah-payah save through out their living.

BE WARE!!

Last Sunday Lunch

Last Sunday , my cooking went more adventurous than normal days.. I tried out few new recipes which i gather randomly from recipe blogs.

Vinegar Pork Trotter

(my favourite .. i can wallop 3 bowls of rice with just this dish alone)

Steamed tofu with Enoki and Brown Beech Mushroom

Tomato Egg Soup (specially for YiWen)

I must tell out this.. while i was cleaning up the dining table .. i accidentally spilled the hot tomato soup on hub's laptop.. at that time YiWen was enjoying Barney show on YouTube at my hub's laptop.. luckily didn't kena YiWen, but too bad .. HUB'S LAPTOP! .. sigh..

This morning, he told me keypad, touchpad and usb ports a bit sot-sot already.. felt so guilty.

Then again just now, hub called said his laptop OK already after the technician did something.. FOC some more .. phew! I'm so glad nothing gone wrong with it... hub is very nice, didn't scold, what an escapade.. :P But I'm truly sorry, hub.. :S

Pregnancy: 27 Weeks

I'm now at 27 weeks into pregnancy now, my legs are swollen like a "chu kuok" aka throtter leg.. AND yesterday night I had countless legs cramp.. and thanks to it.. now I'm having muscle pain at the back of the legs.. Sigh, still got 13 weeks to go.. GOSH! But in the other side, I'm glad that i didn't have CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) like what I developed in first pregnancy. It was very painful.. very afraid of it. Super painful when u move your wrist especially in the morning after awake. It is like moving a frozen painful hand..OUUUUUUCH!

Pray tell I can have better sleeping time tonight.. **pray pray**

Preggies Need to Put on Seat Belt?? LEGALLY??

This topic is always a debate among me and my surroundings. My MIL, father, colleagues told me that legally, preggies do not need to put on seat belt. This case can be won even without "Karpal Singh"! .. Is this true?? According to them, a jot and impact from seat belt can easily kill the BB inside the womb. Serious??

Actually it is very uncomfortable to put on seat belt when the tummy is big.. sometimes I also took it for granted. But, after reading the brochure below, i think it is better to obey the rule.. :)

Brochure below is taken from http://miros-road-safety.blogspot.com.

So, mommies out there, do you put on seat belt when you are/were pregnant?