Health Benefit Of Lady Finger

This posting was emailed to me by a friend and I think it is good to share it in this blog. Some people believe (maybe just myth) that one reason why guys turned into sotongs because they like to eat this vegetable. But I too have been eating this vegetable for years and is one of my favourite but it does not turn me into a sotong. hahahaha......

Health Benefits of Okra

by: Junji Takano

The world's most beautiful women, Cleopatra of Egypt(recent findings found she was not a beauty) and Yang Guifei( a plump woman) of China loved to eat okra according to the history record.

Cleopatra of Egypt	Yang Guifei of China

When we visited the world's most productive land of okra in a rural area in Kami, Kochi Prefecture , Japan , the young and old all look very healthy. When we asked their secret in having good health in that area, they graciously answer “okra”.

Okra has a long history, with its beginnings in Egypt where it is cultivated before the time of Cleopatra. The okra plant spread to many parts of the world during the Atlantic slave trade. During World War II, the shortage of coffee beans made them use okra seeds as a substitute for coffee. This incident made the word “okra fever”. Since then, okra's popularity never disappeared from local markets to convenience stores throughout the world and throughout the year.

Nutritional Information

Okra contains vitamins A and C and is a good source of iron and calcium. It also contains starch, fat, ash, thiamine and riboflavin. No wonder, Cleopatra and Yang Guifei maintained their beauties.

For 1/2 cup sliced, cooked okra	For 1 cup raw okra
Calories – 25Dietary Fiber – 2 gramsProtein – 1.52 gramsCarbohydrates – 5.76 gramsVitamin A – 460 IUVitamin C – 13.04 mgFolic acid – 36.5 microgramsCalcium – 50.4 mgIron – 0.4 mgPotassium – 256.6 mgMagnesium – 46 mg	Calories – 33Fiber – 3.2gTotal Fat – 0.1gProtein – 2.0gCarbohydrate – 7.6gVitamin A – 660 IUVitamin C – 21mgFolate – 87.8mcgMagnesium – 57mg

Health Benefits of Okra

1. The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize the blood sugar by curbing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2. Okra's mucilage binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver.

3. Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The okra fiber absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools. This helps prevent and improve constipation. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, okra's mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic. Okra binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids). These, if not evacuated, will cause numerous health problems. Okra also assures easy passage out of waste from the body. Okra is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming, has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most individuals unlike over-the-counter drugs.

4. Okra fiber is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics). This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract.

5. Okra is a supreme vegetable for those feeling weak, exhausted, and suffering from depression.

6. Okra is used for healing ulcers and to keep joints limber. It helps to neutralize acids, being very alkaline, and provides a temporary protective coating for the digestive tract.

7. Okra treats lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.

8. Okra has been used successfully in experimental blood plasma replacements.

9. Okra is good for summer heat treatment.

10. Okra is good for constipation.

11. Okra is good in normalizing the blood sugar and cholesterol level.

12. Okra is good for asthma. Okra's vitamin C is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which curtail the development of asthma symptoms.

13. Okra is good for atherosclerosis.

14. Okra is believed to protect some forms of cancer expansion, especially colorectal cancer.

15. Eating okra helps to support the structure of capillaries.

16. Some information shows that eating okra lowers the risk of cataracts.

17. Okra is good for preventing diabetes.

18. Okra protects you from pimples and maintains smooth and beautiful skin. We understand the reason why Cleopatra and Yang Guifei loved to eat okra.

There are other medicinal uses of okra, like its protection against trans fats. I myself planted about 25 stems of okra in my backyard garden throughout the year for over 20 years now. I can pick up about 20 pieces of okra pod every morning. All okra pods are consumed by my family. There are hundreds of recipes that can be done. You can either: cut it raw and mix with vinegar and pepper; cut it raw and mix with mayonnaise; steam, cut, with mayonnaise dressing; or, cook with stew or soup.

Okra is easy to grow anywhere during summer season in cold countries and throughout the year in tropical areas. You can even plant it in a container garden at the terrace in condominium buildings.

Inventor of PYRO-ENERGEN, the author, Mr. Takano himself picks up Okra in his backyard garden

To tell you the truth, I did not know that okra seed was used as a substitute for coffee beans during World War II. I have about 500 grams of okra seeds, so I roasted one-half of it using an iron cast pan, and pulverized it. I made okra coffee with it, and it tasted like real coffee although it was darker in color. When I offered the okra coffee to my staffs and visitors who did not know the real thing, they replied "Oh, you got a new blend of coffee, taste is good". I blended it with real coffee, too. It tastes all right. We do not know, however, what nutrients okra coffee gives.

About the Author:

Junji Takano is a Japanese health researcher involved in investigating the cause of many dreadful diseases. In 1968, he invented PYRO-ENERGEN, the first electrostatic therapy device for electromedicine that effectively eradicates viral diseases, cancer, and diseases of unknown cause.

**Benefit of eating Okra (Lady's Finger) *

*A guy has been suffering from constipation for the past 20 years and recently from acid reflux. He didn't realize that the treatmentcould be so simple -- OKRA! (or Lady's Finger). He started eating okra within the last 2 months and since then have never taken medication again. All he did was consume 6 pieces of OKRA everyday.

He's now regular and his blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98, with his cholesterol and acid reflux also under control. Here are some facts on okra (from the research of Ms. Sylvia Zook, PH.D nutrition), University of Illinois . *

*"Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients, nearly half of which is soluble fiber in the form of gums and pectins. Soluble fiber helps tolower serum cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease.

The other half is insoluble fiber which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy, decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colo-rectal cancer. *

*Nearly 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid is also present in a half cup of cooked okra. Okra is a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid.

He got the following numbers from the University of Illinois Extension Okra Page Please check there for more details.

Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)
* Calories = 25 
* Dietary Fiber = 2 grams 
* Protein = 1.5 grams
* Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
* Vitamin A = 460 IU
* Vitamin C = 13 mg
* Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
* Calcium = 50 mg 
* Iron = 0.4 mg
* Potassium = 256 mg
* Magnesium = 46 mg *

*These numbers should be used as a guideline only, and if you are on a medically-restricted diet please consult your physician and/or dietician.

Ms Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (nutritionist) has very kindly provided the following thought-provoking comments on the many benefits of this versatile vegetable.

They are well worth reading

1. The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar as it curbs the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2. Okra's mucilage not only binds cholesterol but bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver. But it doesn't stop there...

3. Many alternative health practitioners believe all diseases begin in the colon. The okra fiber, absorbing water and ensuring bulk in stools, helps prevent constipation . Fiber in general is helpful for this but okra is one of the best, along with ground flax seed and psyllium. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, okra's mucilage soothes , and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic many people abhor.

In other words, this incredibly valuable vegetable not only binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids) which cause numerous health problems, if not evacuated, but also assures their easy passage from the body. The veggie is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming (except for the many who greatly enjoy eating it), has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most.

4. Further contributing to the health of the intestinal tract, okra fiber(as well as flax and psyllium) has no equal among fibers for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics).

5. To retain most of okra's nutrients and self-digesting enzymes, it should be cooked as little as possible, e.g. with low heat or lightly steamed. Some eat it raw.

.................................................................................................................................................................

Some important benefits of consuming okra:

Stabilises blood sugar level.
Lowers serum cholesterol level.
Prevents constipation.
Keeps intestinal tract healthy.
Feeds good bacteria residing in us all.

Visited Port Weld

It was my first visit to this historical site, where the first railway line in the Malay Peninsular was constructed between Taiping to Port Weld. This place Port Weld is now known as Kuala Sepetang. This town is home of a thriving fishing village of Chinese community. It is one of the coastal town of Perak situated quite a distance inland buffering from the sea by mangrove swampland and the outlet is Kuala Sangga. These fishermen specializes in cage fish breeding.

Port Weld was named after a former governor, Frederick Weld and the railway station is located in the centre of the town. However the whole railway line is now dismantled and only ticketing booth ( now a Chinese coffeshop) and signboard still remains.

Wikipedia has this to say, Kuala Sepetang has excellent seafood and it has a famous restaurant situated on the upper floor of a shop lot overlooking the river. Kuala Sepetang is also well known for its mangrove swamp reserve park which is open to the public daily. It has a boardwalk built over the swamp for tourists, and chalets in which tourists can rent to stay the night on the riverfront.

Anyone who visit this town must not miss the most popular dish here, the Mee Udang. I had the opportunty to savour the cuisine, with lots of fresh prawns and the gravy is thick.

Kuala Sepetang is reachable through the trunk Route 1 and if you travel on the North South Highway, you can either exit from Taiping Utara or Changkat Jering and take the route towards Simpang. From the junction it is about 11 kilometres on the Taiping Kuala Sepetang road. Along the way, if you have time, just make a stop at a historical complex that house the Kota Ngah Ibrahim. Read more HERE and HERE. 

When I first reach Kuala Sepetang, I did not find the Port Weld station site and after a stop at one stall on Jalan Sungai Manggis for a plate of Mee Udang, I asked the local for the location. The sign board is quite hidden between the shophouses and I mark the location below. Google map can help you or if you use Foursquare, it can help.

Definitely not to be missed is a memory snapshot at the 1885 Port Weld railway station signboard.

Too bad I knowledge about the existence of the Ticket booth that has been turned into a coffee shop. Maybe I’ll make another visit to this town and also make a stopover at the Kota Ngah Ibrahim in future. 

Romanesco Brocolli

Once in a while we come across new items in our life. Either when we search for it or came across it by chance. Recently while shopping at a hypermarket in Kuchai Lama, I saw this vegetable, a brocolli group, a plant in the cabbage family, whose large flower head is used as a vegetable. The signage show it as Pagoda Flower. Maybe because of its shape i like a Pagoda.  A search on the internet returns some results and according to wikipedia it is called Romanesco Brocolli.

 

It is quite rare that we come across such vegetable.

Wikipedia mention this about the cauliflower in its webpage as; Romanesco broccoli resembles a cauliflower, but is of a light green color and theinflorescence (the bud) has an approximate self-similar character, with the branchedmeristems making a logarithmic spiral. In this sense the broccoli's shape approximates a natural fractal; each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. This self-similar pattern continues at several smaller levels.

The vegetable is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, and carotenoids.

Beware of Instant Noodles

Be Aware about instant noodles. 

Please note that our Institute Jantung Negara (IJN) has recommended Malaysians not to over eat instant noodles as heart disease is mainly caused by the seasoning powder. If you can't do without it, reduce the powder by half and don't drink the soup after you finish the noodle. DO NOT IGNORE THIS ... Especially those fond of Instant Noodles... 'CORRECT WAYOF COOKING NOODLES' The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health: Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat. This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles. By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structure of the MSG, causing it to be toxic. The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have eaten the noodles. 

CORRECT METHOD: 

1. Boil the noodles in a pot of water. 

2. Once the noodles are cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax. 

3. Boil another pot of water, add the cooked noodles into the hot boiling water and then turn off the stove. 

4. Only at this stage when the stove is off, and while the water is very hot, add the flavouring powder into the water, to make noodle soup. 

5. However, if you need dry noodles, remove the noodles and add the flavouring powder and toss it to get dry noodles. 

Dietician's Note: If you buy plain hakka noodles which you make, you initially need to boil in water and discard the water. This will soften the noodles but to prevent it from sticking we need to add a tablespoon of oil and also the noodles are deep fried partially to make them crunchy and then dusted with flour to prevent them from sticking while boiling. Hence when you buy the noodles they are already made unhealthy and this is the type we use to make stir fry noodles and the regular Instant Noodles too is made the same way, plus they add MSG / Ajinomoto and other chemical preservatives. A large number of patients with ages ranging from 18-24 years are ending up with pancreatitis either as a swelling or infection of the pancreas due to regular consumption of instant noodles... If the frequency is more than 3 times a week, then it is very hazardous... Please share this info and help save a life

Blogging for Blog4FT

Yesterday I went to The Pavillion in Bukit Bintang to claim my TGIF voucher that I won during the Nuffnang Project Alpha blog contest. I have to do that fast because the validity date is 16th November 2009. I wrote a post about this trip but am not going to post it here since I have published it as an entry for the Blog4FT blogging contest. The entry was posted at my travel blog As I Travel.....

You can click on the banner below to go straight to that posting and if you are generuous enough, please also vote for me. And, not only this particular blog but also all the other blogs that I had entered so far.

After the Nuffnang Project Alpha ends, now I turn my concentration to the Blog4FT contest that will end on 5th January 2010. While concentrating on the NPA contest, I do neglect a few days the Blog4FT. 

When I log in to the website again, I found that there is some improvements where there is a Top 10 contributors. After coming back from Bukit Bintang yesterday, I sit in front of my computer and start blogging. All the effort paid and I manage to put my name as the top 10 contributors. Today I published another blog and at the time of writing this post, I have made to the 5 rank with 19 blogs so far. I still have another blog in draft and hope to get published soon. 

I know it will be very difficult to make it to the top three but I hope to make it to at least better than 5ft rank. However there is no prize for top contributors but by being listed as the Top 10, will make my blog always be visible on the front page and hope will get votes coming in. I just can't depend on being listed in the random blog entries because there are times when my blog is not on the list.  

Today, I go out to KL again and this time to Pertama Complex. I sat at the Beriani Bistro facing the MARA Building and posted one blog. I surf using the FREE wireless@KL network. Of course the speed is faster than my Maxis Broadband that I use to get connected at home and way way way much better than P1Wimax. For the last 5 days I can't even get any page loaded using that network. 

Today I published another series of my blog Walking Walking Kuala Lumpur and click the banner below to read it.

Going To Posh Restaurants

I have seen the signboard somewhere but have never been inside one. I see it as a high end restaurant and not my level to dine in there. I knew TGIF  together with other foreign restaurants has been in Malaysia for sometimes and from my preception caters to the upper class community. Thats why you only find them in upper and middle class communities, and in Klang Valley at Damansara, Mid Valley and the city centre. We will never find such restaurants at Gua Musang or Sungai Rengit for example.

One reason for me to avoid such posh places is price tag. As a low income wage earner definitely every cents count for me. Why go for a cup of tea any pay hight price when I can get a fraction of the same type of drink at a mamak stall for just a fraction of the price. Thats my philosophy in one way or another. Of course I'll go if its free which I will after winning a RM100 voucher in the Nuffnang Project Alpha blog contest. It will be some experience for me to dine at TGIF and have high tea at Autumn Cafe, Sunway Resort.

The Food Argument Has Come

Netizens argue over food origin of dishes after Malaysia plans to stake claim. That's one of the headline in The Star. when I blogged about the topic of food claim and HERE, I can foresee that it will be debated and it happens.

I don't think the Thais claim tomyam as theirs but everybody endorse. Its marketing that counts.

Nasi Lemak Is Ours?

I have blogged about this and am blogging again about Tourism Minister Yen Yen's views to endorse some local cuisine as ours. It appear again today in The Malay Mail. While we claim Nasi Lemak as our trade mark, according to a top hotel chef, Chef Rahmat Rahmood the claim can "cook up controversy" because it "have little nutritious value and are high on cholesterol".

 Malaysia has created uneasiness in Indonesia that lead to the "Sweep Malaysia" claim in Jakarta. This resulted from a National Geographic production about tourism in Malaysia that uses a Balinese dance and "claim" as ours. Then Indons claim that Negaraku that originated from Terang Bulan is also theirs.

As in The Malay Mail verbatim: "Variations of the dishes Ng listed are available in several other Asian nations, particularly Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and China.

Ethnic Chinese workers who settled here after leaving China a century ago introduced some creations, such as chicken rice, to Malaysia and Singapore.

Chili crab — a recipe of crabs stir-fried in tomato and chili-based sauces — could become a bone of contention. It is often associated with Singapore and is considered the city-State’s unofficial national dish."

We have to do lots of research before we stake claims so that we do not brew another storm that can sever International relationship with other neighbouring nations.

I would like to suggest we dig out our traditional delicacies which is becoming obsolete with modern generations and promote them. If found it is genuine local cuisine, then promote and market. If we can send our cultural troupe to promote our culture oversea, the same can be done with our food in future. We can raise our hat to Thais with their Tomyam, Padprid and Pattayas that spread like wildfire all over Malaysia.

Errr, what about Nasi Dagang?

Laksa , Nasi Lemak and Bak Kut Teh

Laksa Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak and Bak Kut Teh Tarik.

I was attracted to this headline in The Star Laksa and Nasi Lemak among our pride, says Yen Yen. Some coincidence with the tittle my xperienceoflife's blog : Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai Teh Tarik. Only one resemble 100% but the other just at the source. I don't think laksa can be listed as one of our pride since it still has not become a 24 hours food listed on the menu. Roti canai, Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik is the most mentioned word when people wanted to go and do some chilling. These food is synonimous with Malaysians. Someone who has been abroad for sometimes and when he/she comes back will look for Roti Canai and Teh Tarik to fulfil the "lust" for local snacks. Maybe for other than Muslims, Bak Kut Teh can be another high in demand drink.

Yen Yen as reported by The Star says verbatim;

“We cannot continue to let other countries hijack our food. Chilli crab is Malaysian. Hainanese chicken rice is Malaysian. We have to lay claim to our food,” she told reporters after launching the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival yesterday.

Waa..... something that look like retaliation to the Indonesian claim that lead to the protest "Sweeping Malaysia"

It is a good move that we have to claim local food as our own identity but further investigation has to be done to justify that a particular food is really Malaysians. Food is a universal gourmet. We might have the same food but called by another name and then it will be a clash of identity.

Just wonder is Teh Tarik  a local beverage...............

Ramadhan 1430 Hijrah Begins

Today the dirst day of Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان‎) begins. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Muslim Calendar. During Ramadhan, Muslims all over the world starts fasting from dawn till sunset. By fasting one has to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and undulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured. The purpose of fasting is to teach patience, modesty and spirituality.

During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims asks for forgiveness from sins done in the past and purifying the inner self. After fasting during the day, Muslims will congregate to mosques and surau to perform the daily prayers (Isya') and the Tarawih, the only prayer done during the month of Ramadhan. Recital of the Quran or Tadarus in groups also being done.

Ramadhan is actually the month whereby Muslims do extra religuous rites because this is the month where Allah will convey rewards (pahala) in multiples compared to normal months.

Firman Allah S.W.T...

"Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, telah diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana telah diwajibkan ke atas umat-umat sebelum kamu, semoga kamu menjadi orang yang bertaqwa. "

Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 183.

Fasting is wajib (compulsory) for every Muslims who fulfilled the requirements to fast. It is one of the pillar of Islam.

This evening I went out kuih shopping to the usual location since a dew years back that it at Seri Petaling. It is at Jalan Radin in front of SRK Seri Petaling on one side a Seri Petaling Mosque on the other side. Sometimes I use to go to Sungai Besi where there are more stalls and of course more choice of dishes.

Seems that the price on some items had increase but consumers have no choice. Bought Roti John as my son ordered for it. A large size filled with chicken costs RM 3.50 while a small one RM 1.80. Bought one large Roti John. Then I decided to walk to the stalls across the road. Its a new addition this year. Saw one stall selling Roti John too and the price is just RM 2.50 for chicken with black pepper sauce. On the first day of Ramadhan I was shortchanged for one ringgit already. Also saw a juga of sugar cane juice also increased from RM 2.50 to RM 3.00 this year. However the price of Murtabak Chicken or Beef at the stalls I use to buy still remains RM 2.00 a piece.

Among the popular stall at Seri Petaling is the popia either wet or fried and being sold for 5 at RM 3.00. However I was shortchanged last year for buying there. TodayI bought three for RM 1.00 at another stall. So if I buy RM3.00, I would have got 9 popiahs comparedof only 5 at the particular stall. The morale is, don't make a hasty decision before doing some calculation. Today's businessmen are clever in hoodwinking customers.

What's On The Menu?

Just a light moment. Look at the pic and its your interpretation. No!, they don't serve that. Just a coincidence in the name.

UPDATED.

Shabu is one of the new drug introduced especially to the lower income addicts. When Isaw this signboard at a shopping complex in Petaling Jaya, my mind veered straight to the drug. Well, I am ignorant about Japanese cuisine. What I know is sushi and that also was made popular (to me) by the cartoon series Sin Chan.

Tonight I read a blog and there is a mention about shabu shabu that prompt me to make a Wiki search. Now I know that shabu-shabu is a Japanese variant of hot pot. Read HERE.

Tasty Kampung Food?

Three claypots of frehsly cooked curry. Read HERE. 

Dinner For A Change?

I decided tomake some changes to my dinner cum supper outing where I use to got to Seri Petaling mamak restaurant. It was usually nasi lemak tepur kasi pusing (it means turn over the fried egg). Sometimes it will me maggi goreng or koteow goreng.

That night I decided to take my family to a newly opened restaurant at the National Sports Complex. Its Gaga Garden. The restaurant is situated at Parking F, the parking area across the road opposite the National Hockey Stadium. This is also the place where temporary express bus to the south was set up during the festive season. At first I thought Gaga Garden is just like any ordinary stalls. It is just a small building which I think was not utilised and located at the back portion of the parking area. There is also a big screen in the open garden projected from Astro decoder.

However I was quite surprise after looking at the menu. The price of food is not the normal stall price but of a higher end restaurant or bistro price. The price does not fit for such a "make shift" canopy eating place. Nothing better than a khemah kenduri. At my level, I consider it as expensive. Why? Read further. 

As usual my normal drink would be iced lemon tea or teh o ais limau. And this (pic below) is what I get. When the waiter send this I remember the story of a crow trying to drink the water at the bottom of the narrow necked bottle. The crows beak is not long enough and in order to drink the water, the crow drop in pebbles and that raise the water level. 

This iced lemon tea is priced @ RM 4.00

My dinner cum supper was Nasi goreng Thai. Its my habit to order something different whenever I visit a new place. So I ordered the fried rice. As for taste I can give a 3 out of 5.

A plate of this fried rice is RM 7.00. (Pic below)

My son ordered Nasi Lemak with a small piece of chicken and a plate is also 7.00. My daughter ordered fries @ RM 4.00 a plate. 

This Fish and Chips that my wife ordered is RM 10.50. 

After the dinner, my question was: Is it worth the price?

Just Like Bata Shoes

Saw this advertisement at a petrol station on Silk Highway near Sungai Besi town. Whats the actual price of Nasi Lemak and Fish Balls? RM 1.89 or RM 1.90? This advertisement decieves prospective consumer because the rounding mechanism introduced by the government will round up that price to the next tens. Do you think the advertisement is deceiving to make it look cheap?

Do you remember Bata shoes? The price will always end in 99 cents. OK!, Who cares about 1 cent. Therefore that one cent will just be a profit that come from thin air. 

Whats For Breakfast?

One

Ever watch that documentary every morning over RTM2? I think that is one of the good programme that not only helps promote the habit of having a good breakfast. It also helps to educate viewers when it also inform about the food content, its calorific value and nutrient functions.

Traditionally breakfast is a large cooked meal eaten before work and designed to carry people through a large part of the day. Breakfast is the first meal of the day. - Wikipedia

There is a saying, "Take breakfast as a king, lunch like a rich man and dinner like a pauper"

Why breakfast

• people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less
• Research has indicated that eating a meal before noon, consisting of standard breakfast-style foods is positively correlated with improved functioning of school-aged children
• uels the body to help provide energy, better concentration and problem-solving ability throughout the day
• first chance the body has to refuel its glucose levels essential for the brain and is the main energy source.

More reference on why breakfast.
In Malaysia and Singapore, breakfast sometimes consists of a popular Malay food called nasi lemak. Other food such as roti canai (known as roti prata in Singapore), kaya toast, half boiled eggs and wonton noodles are also among the favorites. In the East Coast, glutinous rice is eaten as breakfast. Malaysian Chinese from the town of Klang, which is famous for its Bak Kut Teh frequently eat it for breakfast. In other parts of Malaysia and Singapore however, it is more commonly eaten as other meals. - Wikipedia.

Two

My breakfast today is scrambled egg. I thought of frying two eggs sunny side, in the non stick pan but since the pan has lost its non stick properties, the eggs sticks to the pan I have to scramble it. So it turn to be scramble egg. Then I add some beef curry and a potato. So I have protein and carbohydrate. Took breakfast with a cup of 3 in one coffee. Well, the cheapest I can find in the market.

After I get my breakfast ready I saw the time on the wall clock. Hahaha, its 15 minutes to one. There goes my breakfast. Can I consider it brunch? Don't think so.

My breakfast menu today.

Teh Tarik Without Guilt

That was the tittle of an article in New Sunday Times dated November 11th 2007. The article written by Audrey Vijaindren is about the most popular past time beverage among Malaysians. Morning, afternoon, night or in the wee hour of the night the drink is the most wanted in the list of drinks.

"Lets go for a glass of tek tarik," one might invite friends. But on reaching the mamak stall, he might ask for a glass if iced lemon tea. Thats how popular the drink is. Audrey wrote; "along with sambal belacan, roti canai and Ipoh chicken rice, teh tarik has charmed its way into the hearts of Malaysians".

Teh tarik is blended with tea, condensed milk and maybe sugar. It has a high content of sugar. Hence giving drinkers the opportunity of having sweet tooth. Statistics shows that 1.2 million of Malaysians have diabetes (though not all due to teh tarik).

The article by Audrey is about the recipe concocted by Food and Beverage expert Nicholas Pillai that will keep the taste bud happy but the calorie count low. At the time of blogging this I don't know where to find that newly brewed teh tarik but the article says that trial cuppa was given to customers (two days after the article published)at Devi's Corner in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Nasi Kandar Pelita Ampang Point, Nasi Kandar Pelita Bangsar, Nasi Kandar Pelita SS2 and Sri Nirwana Maju Bangsar.

What's in a cup of regular Teh tarik

(Source from the same article)

278 Kcal

2.0 g protein

10g Fat

43.7g Carbohydrate

A cup of sugar-lite teh tarik

(Source from the same article)

133 Kcal

5g Fat

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Breakfast at Kaya Kopitiam, Restoran Jejantas Sungai Buloh

The concept of Rest and Refresh area with overhead bridge consisting of restaurants by PLUS is a good idea to create a meeting point between both bound of traveller. Since the highway is divided by barriers that prohibits both side of traffic meet with the other side, the overhead bridge is the only way to meet. However at one time it has been used as an avenue to cheat the tool when drivers from both sides meet and exchange toll transit ticket.

There are two R&R with overhead bridge restaurants on PLUS Highways, one at Sungai Buloh (North Bound) and another at Air Keroh (South Bound) in Malacca.

I had stopped for breakfast at the Sungai Buloh overhead bridge R&R and for the first time tried the Kopitiam. Its the Kaya Kopitiam next to Kentucky Fried Chicken. As the usual kopitiam, the setting is like the old kedai kopi with marble tables, thick flowery cups and saucer and roti bakar as the main menu. The modern kopitiam has added more than roti bakar.

There are three choice of breakfast menu and I choose menu B that is made up of a one inch mamak style bread and grilled with kaya and butter, two half boiled egg (Grade A) and a cup of either coffee or another drink of your choice. My choice was priced at RM 5.78 inclusive of tax.

The other choice which is Menu A is made up of roti bakar, two peice of sunny side fried egg, two sticks of sausage. Menu C is just roti bakar.

One of the interior view of the Kaya Kopitiam

The cashier and order counter

The only view of the highway from inside the Kopitiam. Want to see more view of the highway, then one must go to either KFC or A&W next door.

This is my breakfast.

Dinner @ Manhattan Fish Market

It has been a very rare occasion I had dinner at a posh and high end restaurant. Since yesterday I was with my family I decided to let them have a taste of dinner such restaurant. What prompt me to take them to this restaurant was because I we just break our fast with drink and some light food. First we entered a restaurant at Semua House but there's not many food left so decided to go somewhere else. Then on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman tried Restoran Insaf and found out that there is no more seat available.

Then while on the way to Sogo before going the the Bandaraya LRT Station, I saw this Manhattan Fish Market. So decided to give my family a treat. The restaurant is one of the chains of Manhattan FishMarket in Malaysia and this one is at the ground floor at one corner of Sogo Shopping Complex.

Let the picture do the talking.

This Manhattan Fish and Chips costs RM 14.90

Big Boat has a price tag of RM 8.90. This is on the Kiddie's Menu.

Chicken Oh Chicken

myMetro yesterday reported that hen were given pig enzyme to speed up growth so that they can be harvested earlier thus cut maintenance cost.

The report quote Director of Research Management Centre, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM) , Prof Dr Zulkifli Idrus, who has 13 years experience in hen research confirm that hormones and antibiotics were given but it only happens overseas. He also stress that the process have side effects. As an example a man who took hormones for women will create womens' characteristics among men. Hmm....is this one reason why there more and more softies in Malaysia?

However Prof Dr. Zulkifli believes that injecting hen with pig enzyme is not done in this country due to high cost since it has to be imported especially from the USA. From his experience what is being injected are vaccine to prevent disease infection.

In relation to this news on myMetro, I received an email (in Bahasa Malaysia) and I post it here.

E mail 1

Assalamualaikum semua.

terlanjur sahabat saya ,che ismail dah buka cerita,wajib saya berkongsi.

Jika anda pernah come across Majalah 3 pada bulan July ade paparan ttg ayam organic herba di usahakan seorang profesor - Dr Mohamad Zainol Abdul Haja.Saya tertarik dgn cara pembiakan ayam yg Dr Zainol usahakan,bersih,terkawal dan halal.

Saya dan suami menjejaki Dr Zainol,dpt jumpa,berborak,sy juga pernah bawa Dr Zainol dan isteri beliau Dr Mumtaz ,berjumpa dgn network saya di Melilea Puchong.Sekadar ingin mengajak beliau berkongsi pengalaman dgn kami.

Saya kagumi insan ini,mengorbankan kerjaya profesional utk akhirnye memilih jalan berbakti kepada ummah.Terlalu mudah akidah umat islam di Malaysia kini diperalat,kami sgt sedih.Matlamat kami sama,insyaallah.

Sungguh,teknologi menjadikan kita negara yg moden,teknologi juga akan kemudiannye merosak byk perkara baik dlm tubuh kita..yg akhirnye akan merosak akidah.Kalau hendak dicerita, sgt panjang.

Saya ringkaskan.

Wujud enzim khinzir dlm ayam diper akui setelah bbrp tahun buat research,malah byk website yg ade maklumat ini,sy akan beri add nnt. Enzim khinzir mungkin tidak terlabel secara individual dlm proses menggemukkan ayam(m'sia tidak akan buat label ) ,tp hasil dari kajian ,protein dari khinzir,antibiotik,dan pelbagai lagi mampu menyuburkan
ayam,cepat gemuk,lg berat lagi cepat boleh jual,cepat dpt hasil.,maka suntikan,makanan ayam ade campuran pelbagai yg sumbernya diragui.Thats y,dari telur hungga ia menjadi hidangan anda,ayam tidak perlu mengambil masa berbulan bulan..ayam KFC cuma 28 hari,ayam daging mungkin 40 hari...sy tidak pasti.

Lately sibuk harga ayam naik,sy come across pulak seorang pengusaha ayam berbangsa china di Buletin Utama 2 mlm yg lalu,"harga ayam mesti mau naik sikit,makanan ayam pun ssulah naik halga,itu UBAT ayam pun sudah naik halga" ...ubat ???..tapi tiada apa lagi yg memeranjatkan saya....anda fikirkan,anda nilailah.Ayam kat malaysia ni sampai dah macam tak cukup supply,hg semakin lama semakin naik,yg gemuknye pengusaha ayam cina inilah.

Halal ke ayam daging?

tidak mengapa jika anda pasti dan yakin ttg kehalalannye, tambahan di Malaysia ade sykt besar yg melabelkan halal utk ape pun jua produk ayamnye.tetapi Taraf Halal itu ,saya anggap ia hanye di kategorikan utk PROSES PENYEMBELIHAN cara islam yg diutamakan di sykt itu..even pernah masuk
TV,tetapi cara ayam dibesarkan,di beri mkn makanan yg bagaimana tidak mungkin termasuk dlm HALAL yg dimaksudkan ....anda fikir bagaimana?

Sy pernah bertanye kpd Dr Zainol,government negara islam ini tak berbuat ape ape ke? Dia jawab,it happens around the world nanee.its the technology!!

Percaya atau tidak,sewaktu Dr Zainol confirm ayam daging ini ade enzim khinzir,beliau menangis,after a long time of research,baru skrg confirm!!

Saya juga sgt sedih..sgt sgt sedeh. Bayangkan kotornye, hinanya makanan yang kita mkn,makanan yg membentuk 'kita'.

Ayam daging biasanya dlm 20 minutes kalau letak kat luar peti sejuk mesti lalat dah datang,bau dia mak aaaaiiiii... senang hanyir,kenapa? Ade certain part part ayam ni daging dia punyelah padat dan banyak kan...kenapa ye...fikir fikirkan.

Saya tidak berniat mempromosi ape ape,sy juga tiada share dlm biz Dr Zainol,tapi saya seru,kepada sesiapa sahabat yg terbaca email ini,mungkin skrng tiba masanye kita mengubah sumber pemakanan kita..maafkan saya jika terlambat bercerita,sy hanya manusia,kdg2 sy takut juga pandangan ikhlas saya di salah erti.Pernah beberapa kali sy bercerita kpd kwn kwn,tapi cerita sy di anggap seperti diada adakan, malah ade yg tak respon ape ape,(bila pk pk kelakar pun ade,takkan benda dasyat mcm ni takde respon ek...)jd sy berhenti bercerita seketika..maafkan sy terlambat
memanjangkan kepada kwn kwn..but anyway inilah sebenarnye tanggungjawab kita.

Fwd this mail to your friends,kita ambillah tanggungjawab
ini.insyaaallah Allah berkati.

last mth pun article Ayam Organic ade keluar kat Berita Harian,full page,kat dlm tu pun ade ttg enzim khinzir ini.

Anyway sy dan keluarga kini tidak lagi risau harga ayam daging ni naik ke turun ke,lantokkkkkk le dia....
Ayam organic jauh lebih sedap,manis n tak byk daging.,yg penting kita pasti ttg sumber pembesaran ayam ini. Insyaallah.

TQ & Regards.

Nanee

Attached (no 1-3) mail from Dr Zainol,panjang,tapi make sure u read the last page. he also provided some website add for you to refer.

Asssalammualaikum

This is the article on pork protein used in chicken breeding.Pls spread around.

wassalam

Dr. Mohamad Zainol Ahmad Haja
Head - Research & Development
Innovation Centre
Mumtaz Meat & Marine Foods Sdn Bhd.

(See attached file: ayam dengan enzyme babi.doc)

please read and there is plenty of further evidence by this well known reporter Felicity LawrencePlease click here to view the article or select the link below or copy it into the address bar of your browser. http://www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=309Man
thanks The Ecologist

www.theecologist.org

This well known reporter works for both Penguin and Guardian 2 big time publishers in the UK Name :Felicity Lawrence

http://www.theecologist.

e mail 2

From: Dr. Mohamad Zainol Ahmad Haja [mailto:nattpro@streamyx.com]
Sent: Monday, 17 September 2007 5:44 PM
Subject: RE: ayam

Assalammualaikum
Buat Pada masa ini boleh dapat di kedai kita alalmat seperti di bawah
Kita juga ada teman perjuangan saya yang tungkus lumus untuk edarkan
ayam ini kepada semua muslimin dan muslimat.

1) En Husairi kajang/bangi 0193324345

2) En Che Muda Bangi 0123245988

3) Puan Shidah Shah Alam 0122737301

4) Tn Haji Azhar Gombak/batu caves 0122882265

5) En Radzi Puncak Alam 013 6557770

6) En Jumhat atau Puan Maznah 019 2298950 atau 019 3173330

7) En nazaruddin 012 22785502 all KL

8) Puan Zainun 019 2774927 Subang Jaya

9) Pasar Tani Taman Melawati Hari Sabtu

10) Pasar Tani Putra jaya Hari Jumaat

11) Pasar Tani Kerinci. Taman Angkasa Hari Ahad.

Insyallah tlg call yang terdekat mereka boleh usaha untuk hantar ayam

Dr. Mohamad Zainol Ahmad Haja
Head - Research & Development
Innovation Centre
Mumtaz Meat & Marine Foods Sdn Bhd.
No 17. Jalan Nirwana 35.
Taman Nirwana. 68000 ampang.
Selangor. Malaysia.
Tel 603 92811802 / 92816924
Fax 603 92816925

e mail nattpro@streamyx.com <mailto:nattpro@streamyx.com>

mobile 6012 3248081

The Orchid Garden Hotel, Brunei Darussalam

Today is my fourth day in Brunei. Staying at a hotel that has been patronized by distinguished guest including President Bill Clinton, Madeline Albright, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Brunei etc. makes this hotel stand tall. The hotel is situated centrally between the Airport, government offices and the town centre. I would consider food here is excellent. Its tasty and i can compare it with the food at Renaissance in Malacca where I stayed last weekend. I give it a 5/5.

Here I am blogging over lunch. Lunch at the hotel seems do not attract many guest compared with dinner. Hence lunch is A la Carte and dinner is buffet.

Today for lunch I have Hainanese Chicken Rice and Honeydew juice.