Zhai Choy (Vegetarian Vegetables)

I'm so pleased to feature another guest post and this time, it's by my aunt Dorothy. I call her Ah Yee (meaning Auntie in Cantonese) and I'm so glad that she has joined the blogging world. My Ah Yee's blog, Life's Little Treasures, showcases her passion for Singapore's fading old-world architecture as modern lifestyles and landscapes take over. She also shares little bits and pieces of her everyday life with us, such as cooking Zhai Choy, this wonderful dish that my Grandma (Por Por) used to make during Chinese New Year. This is one of my favorite dishes, one which brings back so many fond memories of my Por Por and being with my family during the New Year.

Pineapple Tarts

Pineapple tarts are my favorite Chinese New Year treats so this year, I just had to try making them at home. 

Chinese Peanut Cookies

新年快樂! Happy New Year!

It's a new year for the Chinese -- the year of the Water Dragon to be precise. The Chinese consider it a great honor to be born in the year of the dragon as it means that the child will be born with strength, intelligence, good luck and lots of other desirable qualities. I already know of a couple of people who are planning to conceive a baby this year and I wish them the best of luck.

Savory Ham Panini

"Aha!" moment, as Oprah always calls it.  Mine happened in the form of a panini, otherwise known as grilled sandwich.

Pork Adobo at L.A. Rose Cafe

I had some business in Koreatown today, (by Wilshire and Normandie).  It was around 11:00 a.m. and it's time for lunch.  So I decided to go North a few miles, in the fringes of Hollywood, just before Little Armenia, where I know there's a quaint Filipino cafe called L.A. Rose Cafe. Whew! Do you feel like I just took you around the world?  Where is this place?  Welcome to Los Angeles, where you have a diverse mix of cultures and enclaves.  

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi fried rice is one of my favorite fried rice variations. It is so quick and simple to cook up and the kimchi gives this dish so much flavor. The only caveat is that in order to enjoy this dish, you have to enjoy kimchi which, for many, is an acquired taste.

Tea Time Spam & Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

My daughter loves throwing impromptu tea parties whenever she has what she calls "lazy days". Although these "lazy days" are few and far between, they are normally reserved for when she has a day off from school due to a public holiday (such as today), as her weekends can get quite hectic with activities, outings and what not. When she says she's having a lazy day, she means it. The girl will spend most of the day glued to the couch, either watching TV, reading a book or playing games on her laptop. She'll prep her spot with fluffy pillows and a warm blankie and will plop herself on it in total enjoyment. It's cute to watch. Everyone deserves a lazy day every so often. It's good for the soul.

English Scones

What do you do when a dear friend says she'll be stopping by in two hours.  In this instance, that friend happened to be Veggie Girl.  Panic.....must make something for Veggie Girl....Think....quick....

30-minute dinner: Crunchy Orzo Salad + Quick Italian Chicken

With the kids back at school and our weekly routine back in full swing, I'm back to making quick weeknight dinners, except this time, I'm aiming to make them even healthier. Last night's dinner was whipped up in 30 minutes...no kidding! Ok, maybe 45 minutes tops but if you're a fast mover in the kitchen like I tend to be, 30 minutes will be all the time you need.

Zesty Fresh Tomato Juice

My new juicer arrived today! Woot!

The kids and I had agreed to try eating healthier this year so I thought, what better way to do it than to try consuming more fruits and vegetables including fresh juices. I spent the remnants of an Amazon gift card that I received for Christmas (thanks to my generous brother) and bought a juice extractor.

Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas + Lemongrass Restaurant Review (Photo post)

It's been several whirlwind weeks since I last posted and now, a new year is already upon us! By the way, happy new year to all!

Shortly before Thanksgiving last year, I accompanied my boss on a short trip to Las Vegas to attend a convention. While it was mostly for business, we were able to sneak in one day of leisure. We chose to stay close to the Aria Resort and Casino where we were staying at and just spent our time eating and walking around.