Fruit For Thought

According to Dino, I am an "apple".

It has been quite a while since I last blogged. Been receiving remarks dripping with heavy doses of sarcasm from friends especially, such as, " Did you know, your blog is full of cobwebs. Not gonna clean it up eh?" or " Dey, where have you been woman?!! We were thinking of going to the authorities to file a missing person's report!!". But the best remark yet would have to be from a former work colleague of mine whom I met at one of the hypermarkets over the weekend. I thought my eardrums were going to explode when she screeched into my ear, " Oh My Gawwddd, you're still alive??!!".

*Sigh, it is so nice to know that there so many who are deeply concerned of my well being .

I have been busy. Yes, I know-lame excuse. Truth be told, I was just...not in the mood to blog. So many things have happened (as usual) - tasks to be completed, goals to achieve, people to entertain, etc.

To summarize what has happened over the final 3 months of year 2008:


1. Am still employed (i know, it's a 'miracle', huh?);

2. Moved to a new crib ( my very own private sanctuary); and

3. Passed my exam (THANK GOD!!!! No need to 'rebus' the books afterall daddy ;)).


Also, as part of my impending new years resolution and has been since 10 years ago - which is to loose weight, I have been trying to maintain a healthy diet (by the way, the key word here is 'trying') and include some exercise regime in my hectic schedule. I started a bit late in the middle of year 2008 and have been trying to maintain my discipline in keeping up with the regime. I used to alternate between running on treadmill and swimming but I had to forgo the 'privilege' when I chose privacy over luxury and moved house. As of now, I am lucky enough if I could even go to the gym at least once a week.

Other then that, I try to watch over my food intake - although it is often easier said then done. Malaysia is simply a huge melting pot of scrumptious tastes and heavenly aromas. Temptations often lurk around the corner wherever I go, and sad to say, I have succumb to the mighty temptations in many numerous occasions.

Still, there are rewards at the end of the tiring journey. It may not be a huge one but still, it is nice to know that all efforts were not lost. Just the other day, a colleague of mine told me that i was 'looking good'. Despite the simple sentiment, it brings such joy to me and believe it or not, a surprise to me still. You see, other then the slight decrease in my clothing size, I don't feel that much different. In fact, I initially thought that reason why my tops being a bit loose nowadays, especially around the shoulders is because they are worn out from over-washing and it was time for my annual shopping spree.

Often I would consult my buddy cum health consultant, Dino, who got me into the 'health awareness' programme. When I asked him why, despite my one hour's exercise per day, three times a week routine, my body shape is still heavy on the top rather then my bottom, he simply replied, " That's because you're an apple, dear".

Well, look on the bright side - at least he did not call me a 'durian' ;).


According to research conducted in the west, female body shapes are based mainly on four combinational structures :-

Banana or Straight
Your figure is straight up and down, without a lot of curves. The waist circumference is at least 75% of the chest or hips circumferences, which are virtually the same. The body has a relatively high androgen level compared to the estrogen level, and this causes the skeleton to develop in a more masculine pattern and body fat to be distributed predominantly around the waist. If you were to gain five pounds, they would distribute evenly throughout your frame.

Apple (Triangle downward)

Your upper body is noticeably larger than your lower body. The waist circumference is at most 75% of the chest circumference, and the chest circumference is at least 110% of the hips circumference. Body fat distribution tends to begin in the arms, shoulders, chest and upper abdomen first. If you were to gain five pounds, four of them would go to your waistline.

Pear or Spoon or Bell (Triangle upward)

Your upper body is noticeably smaller than your lower body. The waist circumference is at least 75% of the chest circumference, and the hips circumference is at least 110% of the chest circumference. The distribution of fat varies, with fat tending to deposit first in the buttocks, hips and thighs. As body fat percentage increases, an increasing proportion of body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen. If you were to gain five pounds, four of them would go to your hips and thighs.

Hourglass shape (Triangles opposing, facing in)

You're very curvy with a clearly defined waist. The waist circumference is less than 75% of the chest or hips circumferences, which are virtually the same. Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, breasts, hips and rear before other parts, including waist and upper abdomen. Due to the preference shown to physical symmetry, many celebrities falsely claim hourglass measurements but actually rate closer to a straight figure or apple.

Based on studies conducted, the most common female form is the pear whilst an hourglass figure is considered the ideal female form. To top that up, a new research suggests that hourglass women may live longest, and apple-shaped the shortest.

Now, after that of being compared to the hourglass, would you blame the '"apples" if they are constantly in a state of precariousness ?!!!

Damn, there goes my new year's resolution. Now I am in a dire need of a good Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream to lift my spirits up from this sheer depression =(.

Diary of a Pastaholic : Fettuccine Shrimp Fra Diablo

Among my family and close friends, I am well known for my obsession for anything and everything that is to do with pasta. Baked, fried, sautéed - my addiction for it has no boundaries. There are times when I will travel to uncharted territories just to find the ultimate pasta dish (although most definitely Italy is not within the range where I can travel to at this point of time).

One of my favourites back then was a dish served in Italiannies, One Utama. However, it has been recently taken off the menu for reasons unknown, even when I made enquiries with the staff. Ever since then, I have been looking high and low within the Klang Valley area, dragging my "mobile bank" with me and subjecting him to many pasta tasting sessions when in fact, he is not even a pasta fan at all (yes, I know, I can be cruel sometimes). After many frustrating expeditions, in which I have failed to acquire the same dish that I crave for, I finally decided to make it on my own. Hence the current post.

Here comes the recipe :


Fettuccine Shrimp Fra Diablo
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Ingredients:
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1 packet 500gm fettuccine (cooked as per instruction on the packet)
3 tbs. Olive Oil
12 Large Peeled Shrimp (deveined and leave the tails intact)
3 tbs. Chopped Garlic
1 large Bombay (yellow) Onions - Diced
1/4 cup Blanched Asparagus
1/2 cup Raw Spinach
3 tbs. Toasted Pine Nuts ( raw pine nuts can be bought in selected supermarkets then fried without oil at a low heat until they turn golden brown )
6 Diced Large and Juicy Tomatoes
2 tbs. tomatoo puree
1/3 cup Cream
2 tbs. sweet soya sauce
3 tbs. light soya sauce
1/4 cup Crumbled Goat Cheese (feta cheese)
1 tsp. Chopped Parsley & Spring Onions
2 tsp. paprika
Pepper to Taste


Method:
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1. Preheat pan and add the olive oil and shrimp. Add some paprika and sauté until pink and opaque on the outside. Once cooked, remove from pan and set it aside to rest.
2. Add the garlic, onions, and some pine nuts. Add a dash of pepper. Sauté until fragrant or onions became trasparent.
3. Add the tomatoes. Cook until it resembles a sauce. Add tomato puree followed by the cream. Reduce to medium heat and simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add the light and sweet soya sauces - to taste. Add the asparagus, spinach and the remaining pine nuts. Lastly, add the cooked shrimps. Cover the pan for 2 minutes or until spinach stars to wilt.
5. Add the cooked fettuccine and allow the pasta to heat for one minute while stirring gently to heat the pasta evenly.
6. Lift the pasta out of the pan. Top with the sauce, crumbled goat cheese, a dash of paprika and
chopped parsley with spring onions.
7. Best serve hot.


*Note : I often use soya sauce to substitute sugar and salt. It adds an Asian twist to it.



Result wise?? I believe I have satisfied many hungry tummies that day, although I can't be too sure whether the compliments received were genuine enough - they are afterall, my family. They have no choice but to support me anyway ;).

I know they say that a picture paint a thousand words. Well then, let's have them speak for themselves, shall we ??



**P/S : My apologies for the low quality pictures. Obviously I require a camera with a higher resolution in order to obtain better results *Cough, cough* Am a Libran...**hint, hint ;)

Ayam Kari Kapitan

This post is dedicated to my buddies, Ina & Mir. God know's why you guys are 'addicted' to it....
Recipe (for 1/2 a chicken) :
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Chicken (obviously...) , cut into pieces

Grind/Blend
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3 garlics (bawang putih)
5 small onions (bawang merah)
7 stalks of dried chillies, previously soaked in hot water
1 cm ginger (halia)
3 cm fresh tumeric (kunyit hidup)
2 stalks lemon grass (serai)
1 inch galangal (lengkuas)
3 candlenuts (buah keras)
1 cube chicken stock

Combine with:
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1.5 ( one and a half) boxes of 200ml coconut milk
Juice of 2 limes (limau nipis)
4 kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut), torn

Seasoning:
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Salt, sugar & pepper, to taste


Method :
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1. Heat about 3 tbspn of oil in wok. Once hot, add in the blended ingredients until fragrant. Add in some of the torn kaffir lime leaves at this point.

2. Add in chicken. Let it cook for a while. Add a little bit of water if it is too dry.

3. Add in coconut milk. Let it simmer.

4. Add lime juice, salt, sugar and pepper.

5. Throw in the rest of the kaffir lime leaves for decoration.


Note to all : It looks somewhat similar to 'Ayam Masak Lemak' but the tastes differ as the lime juice adds some sourness into the dish and helps to breakup the 'lemak-ness' from the coconut milk. Not recommended if you're on a diet, though. The meal is quite 'rich', if you know what I mean ;)


*p/s: Recently, father got me a personal trainer to help me with my exercise routine at home.

Oohhh gawwwdd, I feel like a dog!!! :(