I would have to state that my pantry was stocked with the most exotic items in my neighborhood. It's not like Hong Kong I could just go down the stair to the wet market to obtain anything I might need for cooking dinner tonight, every drive away to gather these chinese specialty items are 25 minutes one way drive; 50 minutes round trip. I have all sorts of stuffs from dried herb to preserved vegetable or salted fish or dried shrimp paste, I have it all in my pantry. There is no such thing that I could buy 2 block of Fu Yu (blocks of fermented tofu). I would have to buy a whole jug here. As time goes by, I stocked the pantry.
However, after a few years I realize my diet has changed. I still love the super spicy food or extremely salty bite that goes into traditional cantonese style of cooking. But I decrease a big volume of processed food which I ate all the time in hong kong, now I might eat those a few times a month. Instead of cooking with peanut oil, I cook with olive oil; instead of frying the food, I bake or stir-fry most of the food; instead of cooking the vegetable, I make a salad with different dressings. Nowadays, I could not live without an oven.
I still make my own stuffs, like I would make dumpling planning different fillings; I made my own XO sauce and the whole house smell like shit, as Victor would say. ^_^ The only one ultimate weapon to chase him out of the house is to heat up the wok, with hot boiling oil then dump a piece of salted fish in there, wow that smell would drive him away for a few hours!
Well I have not try opening up a fresh "Durian" yet, perhaps that smell would get a stronger effect on Victor's nose.
Never thought of changing my diet but it happens naturally base on what's available here, I cook a bit more healthy now than before. I was never a big fan of flavor enhancer such as chicken-powder or MSG, my mom always told me those chemical is very bad for you, so I used ton of herbs or spices and work on the balance of flavor. Right now we are leaning more toward a Mediterranean diet mix with Chinese, I cook a lot of fish, shellfishes, poultry, twice a month I make steak so it's red meat, not that healthy but a good source of iron. Seafood is very fresh here and I love stone-crab, when Denise visited I had her try it and she loves it too, she could not believe the idea of harvesting stone-crab was a sustainable fishing style --- the fisherman caught the crab in bulk, take off one claw each crab then throw the crab back into the sea, in 6 months a new claw would grow back, hey we get to eat and we did not kill the crab.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Draw a line
“According to the rumor mill, the iPhone 5 is going to become your portable social network. The phone analyses your habits, tastes, lifestyle, aptitudes, travels and the like and finds people who share the same bandwidth. And then it tells you if a potential friend is in the vicinity. Conversely it allows you to be found and befriended by other iPhone 5 users.”
The above report stated that Apple has create a new type of social network system, competing with Facebook and Twitter, this new system allows you to make new friends near-by or meet someone who you don't really know but may like the same music or drink the same cocktails.
My parent had passed away, but I can assure you they would be very surprised by what an i-phone can do. In an old fortune-telling book of ancient Chinese, (Push-Back-Graphic) written about 2000 yrs ago, stated that in the future, (you know, from 2000 yrs ago's prospective) everyone would hold a 'brick' in their hand, can see each other and talk to each other.
When I was little, always wonder how could this happen?! I personally do not have an i-phone yet, but I will get one when the dual-band i-phone 5 arrives. The main reason for it is the translation app I've dreamed of is available now. That is with this app on an i-phone, I can point my phone to a Spanish menu and it translates to English instantly so I could order in a timely manner. Or I speak to the phone in English and the phone translate what I said in Spanish back to the waiter who is taking my order. How cool is that?! My mom would passed out if she gets to use this feature.
As conservative as I am, it is just wonderful to have all these technologies in our hands but we must draw the line. I personally prefer to meet friends whom I already known or I don't mind to meet friends from another friend, but meeting strangers base on what the phone tells me it's a bit off-the-line.
As convenient as this future phone could be, I wouldn't trade an hour of air time with social networking to an hour of playing with my child in a park, or walking hand-in-hand with my lover on the beach. Somewhere along the line, you have to draw a line.
The above report stated that Apple has create a new type of social network system, competing with Facebook and Twitter, this new system allows you to make new friends near-by or meet someone who you don't really know but may like the same music or drink the same cocktails.
My parent had passed away, but I can assure you they would be very surprised by what an i-phone can do. In an old fortune-telling book of ancient Chinese, (Push-Back-Graphic) written about 2000 yrs ago, stated that in the future, (you know, from 2000 yrs ago's prospective) everyone would hold a 'brick' in their hand, can see each other and talk to each other.
When I was little, always wonder how could this happen?! I personally do not have an i-phone yet, but I will get one when the dual-band i-phone 5 arrives. The main reason for it is the translation app I've dreamed of is available now. That is with this app on an i-phone, I can point my phone to a Spanish menu and it translates to English instantly so I could order in a timely manner. Or I speak to the phone in English and the phone translate what I said in Spanish back to the waiter who is taking my order. How cool is that?! My mom would passed out if she gets to use this feature.
As conservative as I am, it is just wonderful to have all these technologies in our hands but we must draw the line. I personally prefer to meet friends whom I already known or I don't mind to meet friends from another friend, but meeting strangers base on what the phone tells me it's a bit off-the-line.
As convenient as this future phone could be, I wouldn't trade an hour of air time with social networking to an hour of playing with my child in a park, or walking hand-in-hand with my lover on the beach. Somewhere along the line, you have to draw a line.
Monday, June 6, 2011
My dream house - a green house
If one day I get really lucky, to get a chance to plan and build my own house without worrying about the HOA and POA or resale value later on, this is what I wish for:
- I wish a house being built on 2 are of land, being in tropical warmer climate, on a higher elevated land where I don't have to worry about flooding, being close to a lake or the sea where I can fish for my dinner tonight
- I wish to install solar panel on my roof to replace ceramic roof tile, to obtain energy from the sun to fuel the electricity for the house usage, such as hot-water-heater or air-conditioning system
- I wish to install a gigantic compost system which I can recycle the organic material (carrot peel, left-over food, coffee, rotten fruit...etc.) to fertilizer for my plant
- I wish to separate two parcel of the land, one side to grow vegetable and the other side to plant fruit trees such as mango tree, lychee tree, avocado tree, lemon tree, blue berry bush, banana tree, coconut tree, apple tree.....etc. So I could grow my own fruit and veggie and have extras to give to my neighbours. I'll buy meat at the supermarket because it's too much work to keep the cattle..... and slaughter them if I have to prepare dinner....~_~"
- I wish to keep about 30 hens in a fenced in yard, make their nest so they can lay eggs for my omelet in the morning, meanwhile still have room to make some babies for future generation, the hens are allow to run free as a free-range growth inside the fenced yard
- I wish to install gutter around the roof of the house and channel the water collection area in my 2 are of land, to save rain-water in a tank for irrigation around the property or daily usage.
- I wish to install sky-light by drilling hole through my ceiling and roof to allow sun light to come through the house, without using any electricity for lighting during the daytime
- I wish to install a water filtration system where water I use inside the house to wash things could be recycle to water the plant and vegetation outdoor
- I wish to install a satellite TV & Internet service on my roof, so I can log on to face book to chitchat with my friends and yell at the politics on television like I am used to!
- I wish a house being built on 2 are of land, being in tropical warmer climate, on a higher elevated land where I don't have to worry about flooding, being close to a lake or the sea where I can fish for my dinner tonight
- I wish to install solar panel on my roof to replace ceramic roof tile, to obtain energy from the sun to fuel the electricity for the house usage, such as hot-water-heater or air-conditioning system
- I wish to install a gigantic compost system which I can recycle the organic material (carrot peel, left-over food, coffee, rotten fruit...etc.) to fertilizer for my plant
- I wish to separate two parcel of the land, one side to grow vegetable and the other side to plant fruit trees such as mango tree, lychee tree, avocado tree, lemon tree, blue berry bush, banana tree, coconut tree, apple tree.....etc. So I could grow my own fruit and veggie and have extras to give to my neighbours. I'll buy meat at the supermarket because it's too much work to keep the cattle..... and slaughter them if I have to prepare dinner....~_~"
- I wish to keep about 30 hens in a fenced in yard, make their nest so they can lay eggs for my omelet in the morning, meanwhile still have room to make some babies for future generation, the hens are allow to run free as a free-range growth inside the fenced yard
- I wish to install gutter around the roof of the house and channel the water collection area in my 2 are of land, to save rain-water in a tank for irrigation around the property or daily usage.
- I wish to install sky-light by drilling hole through my ceiling and roof to allow sun light to come through the house, without using any electricity for lighting during the daytime
- I wish to install a water filtration system where water I use inside the house to wash things could be recycle to water the plant and vegetation outdoor
- I wish to install a satellite TV & Internet service on my roof, so I can log on to face book to chitchat with my friends and yell at the politics on television like I am used to!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
How are the odds?!
I know I wasn't dreaming at 7:30am in the morning, walking Samson along the street and just listening to the bird's singing, something striked me when I cleaned up his poop --- drops of blood!
Calling a vet who was referred by another friend, who's dog has digestive system problem, got an appointment in the afternoon, it was worth the 50 minute drive one way to get Samson checked out by a G.I. Specialist. (Notice: FOR DOG)
Samson was pretty calm throughout the check-up, I was waiting outside while Samson was having a rectum examination, turns out what I saw was no-day-dreaming, trace of fresh blood was lingering in his colon. The Vet told me Samson growls at her while she was examination him, I said that's normal, I'd growl too if someone suddenly stick a finger ....... >_<"
Samson was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis with food intolerance, that means his colon is bleeding a little bit from the irritation of the food he ate and he could well be allergic to something I didn't aware of (maybe beef / corn / wheat/ shellfishes). How are the odds that I adopted a dog from a shelter who has the same symptoms as my husband?
Perhaps God think I am good in taking care of people (now one dog too) who is fuzzy about food and allergic to a million items on the supermarket shelve. God think I should handle two instead of one, using the same resources to take care of the diet 24/7. Or I shall write a book named: "cooking for the fuzzy eaters, man and dog".
Calling a vet who was referred by another friend, who's dog has digestive system problem, got an appointment in the afternoon, it was worth the 50 minute drive one way to get Samson checked out by a G.I. Specialist. (Notice: FOR DOG)
Samson was pretty calm throughout the check-up, I was waiting outside while Samson was having a rectum examination, turns out what I saw was no-day-dreaming, trace of fresh blood was lingering in his colon. The Vet told me Samson growls at her while she was examination him, I said that's normal, I'd growl too if someone suddenly stick a finger ....... >_<"
Samson was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis with food intolerance, that means his colon is bleeding a little bit from the irritation of the food he ate and he could well be allergic to something I didn't aware of (maybe beef / corn / wheat/ shellfishes). How are the odds that I adopted a dog from a shelter who has the same symptoms as my husband?
Perhaps God think I am good in taking care of people (now one dog too) who is fuzzy about food and allergic to a million items on the supermarket shelve. God think I should handle two instead of one, using the same resources to take care of the diet 24/7. Or I shall write a book named: "cooking for the fuzzy eaters, man and dog".
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Recent dog report
After a few months of constant training, I have come to a conclusion that 'old dogs don't do new trick' is absolutely wrong. Samson understands virtually all the command I teach except some he chose not to comply, I leave some room for him to make decision for himself, so a general idea is I would tell him what I want him to do, such as 'finish your plate', if he decides he eats all the chicken and rice but not the regular dog food, I leave him alone.
He gets a lot more comfortable now, he gets a hang of our routine everyday is basically the same. He will get a morning 'get some fresh air' walk for 20 minutes, then expect a brunch, then he would hang around with us or lying down by the window to watch the birds fly by. Dog does not wear a watch, but he would give one loud bark if dinner was not served at 5pm sharp. I wonder how he knows the time?!
We normally have dinner at 6pm, after our dinner, Victor would ask Samson: "Do you want to go for a WALK?" then he jumps up and down as he would almost nod to say "yes", along with spinning himself in front of our legs. Ok we got it, you want to take a hike.
Using a leash to walk the dog is the law here in South Florida, as free-spirit as we are, we do not obey the law all the time. ^_^ We would start out from our backyard where joined with the 6th hole green, walk to the water & ice station of the golf course at the 7th hole tee, then we take off Samson's leash, let him run free on the fairway, he gets to chase squirrel, smell other animals' footprint, do his tracking, flush the bird along the edge of a lake. By the time we reach the 8th hole's fairway, we put a leash around him again because there is a road where cars drive by next to the fairway, then we let him run free again at the 2nd hole till we get home by the 6th hole.
There is only one condition Samson has to comply during this freedom walk, he must come back when call. Victor whistles very loudly, all of a sudden we'd see Samson run out from the bushes somewhere, usually I would give him a piece of cookie or water, in order to let him know: coming back when called is a good thing, you get cookie! Samson comes to expect this freedom walk everyday, when we finished dinner, he would pace himself at the door to wait for our call, he knows he is getting this adventure time.
Sometime Victor would talk to him like a human, surprisingly Samson would react as if he understands English. Yesterday Samson was holding (using his mouth of course) his toy before our freedom walk, Victor said: "Samson, drop it, we can't bring your toy to walk with us. Drop it."
Samson dropped his toy then shoot straight out the door!
There is a gesture Samson does when he asks something from me, he knows I taught him a 'Down' position and like him doing it. When I am eating a piece of cheese, he would come over to my feet, nudge my leg with his nose then slowly lowering his body to a 'Down' position. He is asking me to share this piece of cheese with him, usually I do after this asking gesture.
A lot of trainer discourage this kind of behavior stating that the dog would get pushy, we human should be the one who decides all the terms and when the food should be given. My personal opinion is in order to strengthen the bond between your animal and you, you must endorse a request when your animal ask for it if it's reasonable, you must let your animal knows he/she has a choice too but I would prefer the choice I provided, the animal should have the right to decide. How can I communicate with my dog if I only ask him listen and comply to my command but I forsake his?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Simplified
Sometime I get a feeling that I hate to throw things away, afraid that one day I might need it and I won't find it. However this mentality could easily fall into hoarding unnecessary items all around me, my closet and my garage. I have clothing which stated a size 4 when I am currently wearing a size 8, I thought perhaps one day I would lose some weight and be able to wear this dress again. After awhile I accumulated more clothing or things which I do not use. Then I set a rule to govern myself that if I have to buy 3 pieces of new clothing, I would have to donate or discard 3 old pieces of clothing. This strategy seems working alright as far as the closet was concerned.
When I take a close look at the things surround us, the more we need the greedier we get; need a bigger house, need a faster car, need a better face (could be a face-lift later for me), need a vacation, need a luxury watch, need a lot of things..... The list goes on and on, it never ends. In Zen teaching, there was a saying of "where is the dust gather when there is nothing to hold onto?!"
What it means is we gather the things for the dust to hold onto, then we complaint about the dust. The solution for not having the dust is to simplified your life. The dust here in this Zen teaching does not mean the actual dust, it represents un-wanted behaviour or un-wanted desire or a bitter feeling after getting something or not getting something. It sounds very deep, isn't it?!
It is a challenge to teach myself I don't need a lot of things, or to tell myself I am happy at something. Don't get me wrong that I don't like good stuffs, I love good stuffs but I do not want to let having the good stuffs or not having the good stuffs bother my living emotion, I want to be able to enjoy everything. If I travel, I want to enjoy the trip as much as I could whether I get to stay at the Four Season or short of budget to stay at Motel 8. Instead of spending time moaning that I don't get this or I don't get that. It's kind of a waste of time or I shall say a waste of my 'brain juice'.
We have to be the one to make sure the dust got nothing to hold onto, is to live a simplified life. Don't complaint about the dust, it is "we let something" for the dust to be accumulated, as simple as that.
When I take a close look at the things surround us, the more we need the greedier we get; need a bigger house, need a faster car, need a better face (could be a face-lift later for me), need a vacation, need a luxury watch, need a lot of things..... The list goes on and on, it never ends. In Zen teaching, there was a saying of "where is the dust gather when there is nothing to hold onto?!"
What it means is we gather the things for the dust to hold onto, then we complaint about the dust. The solution for not having the dust is to simplified your life. The dust here in this Zen teaching does not mean the actual dust, it represents un-wanted behaviour or un-wanted desire or a bitter feeling after getting something or not getting something. It sounds very deep, isn't it?!
It is a challenge to teach myself I don't need a lot of things, or to tell myself I am happy at something. Don't get me wrong that I don't like good stuffs, I love good stuffs but I do not want to let having the good stuffs or not having the good stuffs bother my living emotion, I want to be able to enjoy everything. If I travel, I want to enjoy the trip as much as I could whether I get to stay at the Four Season or short of budget to stay at Motel 8. Instead of spending time moaning that I don't get this or I don't get that. It's kind of a waste of time or I shall say a waste of my 'brain juice'.
We have to be the one to make sure the dust got nothing to hold onto, is to live a simplified life. Don't complaint about the dust, it is "we let something" for the dust to be accumulated, as simple as that.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Living in my memory
Today is mother's day, wish my mom was here to go have dimsum with me. It has been 6 years as I mark my calender, you left in a sudden leaving me with shock and tears. I did not want to believe the fact that you were gone, I did not shed a tear in your funeral though I did a lot before and after, I was in a total shock, could not believe you went to sleep and just did not wake up to see us again, to put your hard-working rough hand through my hair, I refused to believe it.
As time goes by, I feel I am just living overseas and you were home, instead of calling you, I just close my eyes and send telegraph to heaven in order to tell you I am alright. I have understand a lot more about the wisdom you shared with me as I grow older, I was not mature enough to understand when you taught me, now I do.
When I run too fast and fall, you helped me up and brush my knees where it breeds, told me to stop crying, just clean it up and shake it off, it'd be fine.
When I studied overnight for an upcoming exam, you boiled some crazy herbal soup to boost up my energy level, one time it was so strong that my nose bleed.
When I get tired to play in the park, later I pretend to fall asleep on the lawn so that you would hold me in your arms to bring me home 20 minutes away. It felt so warm and tender, I was 5 but I still remember til this day. It was your warmth that brought me to live, I would always be thankful for, for you, mom.
As time goes by, I feel I am just living overseas and you were home, instead of calling you, I just close my eyes and send telegraph to heaven in order to tell you I am alright. I have understand a lot more about the wisdom you shared with me as I grow older, I was not mature enough to understand when you taught me, now I do.
When I run too fast and fall, you helped me up and brush my knees where it breeds, told me to stop crying, just clean it up and shake it off, it'd be fine.
When I studied overnight for an upcoming exam, you boiled some crazy herbal soup to boost up my energy level, one time it was so strong that my nose bleed.
When I get tired to play in the park, later I pretend to fall asleep on the lawn so that you would hold me in your arms to bring me home 20 minutes away. It felt so warm and tender, I was 5 but I still remember til this day. It was your warmth that brought me to live, I would always be thankful for, for you, mom.
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