Sugar and spices

I decided to post my baby recipes for the viewing pleasure of...emm..so far not many, of the kindred heart readers. My hubby told me there was this Korean lady who got herself 'very posted' with her Korean recipes. I have seen dozens and dozens of Western recipes, but have anyone considered the Fusion style? By the way, I am very much incline discussing babies or toddler's recipes here. You may multiply them by giving it away, I will be so please! All the cooking methods stated below are the same unless said otherwise. So here goes:

PORRIDGE/ CONGEE (MAMA HEM'S FUSION AND ORIENTAL STYLE):

MENU 1: Pumpkin & Vege

1/4 cup of rice grain
1/4 cup of pumpkin (cut into cubes)
1/4 cup of chinese cabbage (cut into small strips)
1/4 cup of carrot (cut into cubes)
1/4 of onion (cut into cubes)

MENU 2: The 'ABC'

1/4 cup of rice grain
1/4 cup of carrot (cut into cubes)
1/4 of onion (cut into cubes)
1/5 cup of potatoes (cut into cubes)
1/4 cup of tomatoes (cut into cubes)
1/4 cup of chinese cabbage (cut into small strips)
2 strips of lean pork meat

MENU 3: Radish In Style

1/4 cup of rice grain
3 small dried red dates soak with hot water
1/4 cup of radish (cut into cubes)
1/4 cup of carrot (cut into cubes)
Two small strips of lean chicken meat
1/2 cup of siew bak choy (pour this in only when the porridge is about to thicken)

MENU 4: Fish and Spinach

1/4 cup of rice grain
1/2 cup of New Zealand spinach
1/4 cup of carrot (cut into cubes)
1/4 of onion (cut into cubes)
2 strips of Dory/ Lemon Sole/ Cod fish

MENU 5: Chicken Porridge

1/4 cup of rice grain

4 strips of breast meat marinate with chopped ginger, soy sauce, salt and sesame oil.

So easy, after washing, place all the vegetables and meat into a non-stick pot (if you can!) Fill the pot with 1 cup of water and bring to boil. Reduce the heat, stir it occassionally until the porridge thickens. Then, puree or blend it. That way, you can guarantee nutricious and a hearty meal for your little one. No more pangs and pains of not eating veg!

The 'disguise housewives'...

Many years ago, we were just friends. You know, the flamboyant lifestyle, the hokey-pokey of flirtitious lifestyle, young, vibrant and yet dignified as individuals. We were what they said, sweet 17. With the sands of time, we, the young individuals grew out of that and became the Eve in Genesis. The fabulous five I called it; Phooi Scee the blissful and jolly type, Stephane the more of a collected type, Lai Kuen the more of a symphatetic type and Jessica the delusive and yet egocentric at times. Me? I'm more of the fun-loving type. He...he...Now, it's been 10 years or more, and each one of us could determine these years as another chapter of our lives.

I could vividly recall how we used to tag on to each other for comfort, joy and all the confusion. Now, we remain scatter. Phooi Scee is blessed with two children of her own, but she never fails to brag about them; Stephane has disperse herself from the 'motherhood' gang, she practically disappears at times, Lai Kuen could not possibily be any happier lately with her newborn (she had a mix-marriage, so it was still kind of an astonishing experience for all us) and Jessica is gleefully living-in with a German in Hong Kong but all wretched up for a baby. Me? I could not be any happier than to share my motherhood bliss through the net and shouting out God's love through this! So what make us change? What makes us so different now? I could sense that each acquaintance now has become rather impoverish. We have become apart. We have lapse differently. We sre disguising...we are nt desperate but we are camouflaging from reality. I supposed it is the way maturity delivers us. I don't know. But I do know, we do not share our most quiet, intermate secrets anymore. Perhaps we conceal them away. I muffled them up for the Lord. I can't tell what about them....

The Agony of Motherhood

My typical day begins at 6.30am and ends at 12.30am. When my mother first taught me the 'bliss' of cleaning, I could never settle at the habit of cleaning. It's about chores and more chores when you are absouloutely handicaped with a maid. Premeir cleaning in the wee hours of the morning, the toilet. Oh before this, can you identify how many types of cleaning needs to be done in this classic life of an agonized mom? I started with the toilets, then down with the room. The second runner-up of cleaning goes all the way down stairs, starting with the backyard, kitchen tops, the floor, windows, laundry and vacumming. I have yet to mention the credit and honor of washing baby bottles and utensils; preparing and cooking lunch and dinner. Ample of cleaning, washing, scrubbing, rubbing, moping and grinding down dirt? Let's move on to serving. Yes, I serve my little sheep. I feed her, clean her, bathe her, drive her, carry her, console her and cheer her. As a matter of fact, I'm also her ultimate choice of play mate. And, her greatest fan of listener. And when the sun sets, the dusk would reveal its sights of starry night, my role and responsibiliies increases. I'm the mother of a two year old and a wife to a thirty four. So, when I'm ill, I will still be playing those roles. Like I had described it before, this job requires sheer determination, passion and enthusiasm. In other words, sacrificial and bona fide of love. I think if I should hear any non-stay at home mom who frets what's a typical day like for them, I will not hesitate that satire smile.

When "Cinderella" becomes "Cinderbella"

Babies are designed to capture information like hypersonic. Try cursing #%^&*^@ to a three month old, you will be amazed how could this be her first word. My little sheep developed speech at quite a rapid pace, at approximately eight months. Her first utterance was none other than "mam, mam", which means FOOD. Adjoining that was "mama" (I'm glad she outsmart me in this aspect to address me first before her dad; well, knowing that I'll be taking care of her full time.), followed by "dada", "elmo" and the rest...As first time parent, you seemed to get over stimulated by that all the time. Not until she knows and meant what she says.

Well, it all happened on a blazing afternoon, a visit to the bookshop with the family pet, Donkey. Estatic with the bunch of Princesses from Disney Classic, I decided that she could pick only two favourites home. And so, the nightmare begins. Delight with the tell-tale of a charming girl and her dreams of going to a ball, my little sheep has been agonizing me for the past 48 hours since we picked the book off the shelf! Either reading the book, it was breakfast, lunch and dinner with Cinderbella. Playtime it has to be with Cinderbella. Whatever that was selected from the wardrobe has to be pink. And when the wether does not permits, she seems ingenious in creating the recycles piece over her pyjamas.

So, how astounding this little mind inspire us. Just a little touch of enchantment from a ficticious fairy tale satisfies her. I wonder if our little mind gratify us to keep life simple? And did we ever extend out little imagination when we encounter obstacles? I supposed the outcome of life will never be similiar to Cinderella. But, we could always learn from Cinderbella. Hmm...A lesson well taught by Cinderbella.

When all ends well?

You see when you allow God to take lead, He's got the horsepower! Being an overenthusiast today before my presentation, I pleaded God this: "God, you tell the Holy Spirit to say it. My tongue is numb and I can't practically open my jaw. You do the talking, I'll do the actions." It just happened afterwards. Not only was my mouth numb, but He did wonders and a miracle. My laptop could not possibiliy start so with a little wittiness, I walked or we (God and I) away without any formal presentation. We ended up with a splendid discussion. I could see the sparkle in each client's eyes and me, a heave of satisfaction...or should I say, SIGH....Praise the God of all high!

I Couldn't Afford It...

Have you ever felt so oblivious (as I am) when it comes to decision making, which involves the little sheep you are flocking? Since walking out of my business pants and suits two years ago, I've been beseeching God to 'replace' the missing pieces in my new walk with Him-MOTHERHOOD. Barely had I experienced such frantic prayers for a long time. And yet, the Lord's persistence are far more greater than mine. He probaby said, "Wait!" or "No!". Whatever decision He says, the Father triumphantly holds the torch. You see, I couldn't have been more determine if it wasn't for Ruth, my training Guru. Meeting after meeting gradually intensify her influence on me, that I should be an INDEPENDANT TRAINER. So after much pleading and traumatic heart breaking prayers, God moved me to a different path. Progressively improving each day, I'm now the proficient Shepard of God's flock of sheep. Now, my competency will be tested. A phone call and a short meeting crushed it all. Mix emotions of joy and excitement first thrills me. But now, I'm beginning to feel like it's catastrophic to abondan my girl. The intensity of my wants has shaddowed the Holy Spirit to breathe in me. I couldn't think-out-of-the-box, I could barely draft questions to ask tomorrow! All I could commemorate now is the Lord's word:"My grace is sufficient for you." So, I'm going to end this session, seeking the Creator of all things, who will never forsake me and abondan me through good and bad times.

"Father, I want to thank you for this opportunity. Although I sometimes disobey your will, you are still there for me. I know and truly understand that with each open or close opportunity, you have your plans for me. I'm sorry God not only for my disobedience, but also the constant grumbling and whining over your many blessings. I ask that you may guard my every move tomorrow and wisdom and strength to present myself as the child of God. I commit tomorrow into your hands and pray for little Emmerine's obedience in grandma's place too. Thank you in Jesus name I pray."

The beginning...

I thought that children was a plaque of disease in my youthful days. I think we still do for those of you who are clueless about children. They are irksom, hideous and 'montrous' in one's life. But who would have thought how naive and 'idiotic' I could be? In fact, the only knowldege I acquire from the Bible was the excruciating pain of childbirth that God has reprimanded on Eve for her disobedient. Excruciating pain? The technology these days managed to replace that with Epidural. Well, in this segment and all the segments to come, we are discussing our most inner, intimate and enigmatic stories about motherhood. So for those of you who adores children and yet couldn't get anywhere to breath, feel free to pen down your thoughts. But for those of you who couldn't care less, stop reading my blog. Go away! Go home! Go bear some fruits for the Lord. Warning for the jokers or sex drivers out there who thinks motherhood is some kind of alienated misery and you could post up some of your porn pictures; I warn you, do not furnish me with any opportunity to wrap you with my girl's soiled and mushy diapers!

So, there are many elements to motherhood. Physically, mentally and spiritually. And, you are constantly on call. It's a 24/7 job. Could you possibily challenge yourself to this kind of commitment? So, be nice to your mom and get real sentimental the next time you speak to her. Hmm.. I still can't and I still wonder. Anyway, two years ago, I put away my business suit and replaced them with shorts and tees. All in the name of fulfilling God's biggest gift and flocking His little sheep. There are probably a few moms out there who are equally and unprepared as I am. LET ME SAY THIS, JUST BE BOLD, ADMIT IT AND SURRENDER YOURSELF!! I mean, motherhood is not at all like the idyllic pictures or magazines about the beautiful mommy watching her little infant coif up in her arms while he/ she nurses beautifully. Hey, my little sheep screams her lungs off the moment her little pouty lips couldn't reach my nipple while nursing.

So this is just the beginning. And with the sands of time, my little sheep has graduated to toddlerhood. Toddlers......That's what I call 'monstrousity'. A toddler is most hard-nosed, full-blown of law and order. Tell them about rules, they will never know. Tell them about sharing, they will never do. Tell them the word 'no', they run as fast as their fat legs could carry them. Tell them about defiance, they will waddled up as much tears as they could gather at the corner of their eyes. Sigh! Aren't they cute? Well, we'll talk more the next time.

My first blog

It's amazing how technology move these days. Just with a click and a touch of a button, I am "blogging"....Greetings to you my friends! Welcome to my pages of "contraction", I called it.