HCFoo can cook tang yuen in ginger syrup

Tang yuen, tang yuan or tong yuen is not only eaten on Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice). Traditionally, many Chinese people eat tang yuen on Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) too.

Last week, I made tang yuen for my guests for the first time.We were having Chinese New Year gathering and I thought it would be perfect to have some tang yuen after dinner as dessert.

My mother's recipe is simple and it is without the sweet fillings. Here is how you can do it too:

Ingredients (for 8 -10 pax):
1 packet of glutinous rice flour
5-6 screwpine leaves (pandan leaves)
1-2 packets of rock sugar
Ginger
Food colouring (rose flavour)
Water

Method:
1. Put the flour in a large bowl and using chopsticks or your hand, mix the warm water in a little at a time.



2. Knead the dough in the bowl until it is soft and smooth. If it feels a little dry, wet your hands and knead again. Put in some food colouring and knead all over again.



3. Remove about one quarter of the dough and break off gum-ball size pieces. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Put them aside and let it rest for a short while.



4. Now prepare the soup by boiling the water. Put in rock sugar, ginger and screwpine leaves (pandan leaves). Taste the soup see if it is suit your taste.



5. While the soup is boiling, boil some water in another pot. Put in the balls one by one into the rapidly boiling water. Stir a few times to prevent sticking. Once the balls start floating, drain and put it into the soup.

6. Now the tang yuen is ready to be served.

If you cannot finish them, you can keep them for another day by putting them into the fridge. By the way the tang yuen turns out to be quite nice. Yummy!

Wishing you guys Happy Chap Goh Meh. It's the Chinese Valentine's Day today. You're still in time to make some tang yuen for your loved one on the 15th day of Chinese New Year.

Strong earthquake strikes western Indonesia - tremor in Penang

A powerful earthquake struck western Indonesia on Wednesday, alarming residents, the U.S. geological survey and witnesses said.

The quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, struck off the western coast of Sumatra island close to Simeulue island, the survey said in a posting on its Web site.

There was an immediate tsunami warning issued, possibly because the quake was deep under the sea bed.

Several callers told local radio station el-Shinta that the quake was felt strongly on Sumatra, but there was no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Tremors can be felt in Banda Acheh, Medan, Sibolga, Northern Peninsular Malaysia (Penang) and Kuala Lumpur. There is a tsunami alert being issued. For other readings, go to BBC News.

By the way, there's also a moderate earthquake in Philippines.

During the first day of Chinese New Year, I read about the prediction for the year of rat. It is said that there will be many earthquakes and tsunami. Let's just pray that there will be no major events going to happen in 2008.

(Citation from The China Post)

Updates: Officials said the powerful earthquake killed three people and injuring 25 others (source The Canadian Press).

I can make your breasts and bra cup 1 size bigger

Yes, I can teach you how to get a bigger boobs instantaneously. No push up bra and no breast implant surgery required.

It's very simple and yet many women do not know how to do it, the right way. Even worse, many women are wearing the wrong bras. A good pair of bra is a woman's best friend. You don't want to look saggy, aren't you?

All you need for this training is your bra. Here are the following steps:


Step 1
Slip your arms through the shoulder straps and place the straps over your shoulder. Using both hands, hold the under-busts band of the bra, lean your body slightly forward and let your breasts fall into and fill the cups.

Step 2
Stand up straight and fasten the hook.


Step 3
Adjust the shoulder straps to a comfortable position and length to avoid them biting into your flesh. Ensure that the shoulder straps are not too tight (you should be able to fit a finger under each strap).


Step 4 (Important!)
Lean your body slightly forward. Push the bulges and excess flesh from your underarm, back and armpit areas towards breast area and into bra cup. You should be able to see the difference between the 2 sides of the breasts now. Repeat for the other side.


Step 5
Stand up straight. Readjust and ensure your nipple is at the centre seam of the bra cup.


Step 6
Pull both shoulder straps upwards and to the back to lift breasts. Adjust back band for a comfortable fit.


Step 7
Readjust and ensure that the bra band encircles your torso at the same level.

Step 8 (if necessary)
Stand up straight. Readjust a final round to ensure that your breasts fit snugly into the bra cups.

The result is really amazing. Now, you will not only get your breasts uplifted and one bra cup size bigger, your waistline will look smaller too. Hope this will help boost your confidence.

For those who are seeking professional training on how to wear bra correctly can contact Sarah. She will try to entertain any questions about wearing the right bra and how to wear it correctly. By the way, Sarah, thank you for the pictures and your 'free training'!

Tony Pua's looking for volunteers: Will bloggers offer help?

It is interesting to know that Tony Pua is most likely to stand against Chew Mei Fun.

Personally I don't think it is an advisable move because everyone knows Chew Mei Fun has a strong influence in PJ Utara and she is a woman who walk the talk.

Few years back, she personally helped my business partners and I who are struggling for months to get a business license. She then even attended the opening ceremony of our small tuition centre in PJ. However, what amazes me is that Chew Mei Fun is a person who recognized faces very well, when she said 'hi' to me at 1 Utama some time ago. She doesn't mind to greet you first. What a humble politician.

As for Tony Pua, I am a regular to his education blog and honestly he is the only DAP leader and blogger I respect due to his non radical approach and often enlightening way of writing.

Tony is looking for volunteers in some areas of his campaign. If you, especially bloggers who have been supporting Tony and DAP 'virtually' all these while, why not get out from your seat and help in his campaign? Unlike Chew Mei Fun and BN, Tony and DAP do not have the luxury for machinery and media.

It is time for you guys, the so-called political bloggers to show some actions rather than just talk the talk. So are you game for it?