Growing A Human: We Are Having A Girl!!

When we first found out that we are expecting, the first thing that came to our mind was baby boy or baby girl? I know the hubs prefers a boy. As for me, I do not have any preferences. As long as the baby is healthy, it doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl.

There are many old wives tales in predicting the gender of the baby; the shape of the belly – round or sharp, the shape of your nose, changes to your facial features, pregnancy cravings, ring/needle test etc. The night before the ultrasound, we decided to do the ring test, just for the fun of it. Here’s how you do it; Take your wedding ring or needle and tie a thread about 12 inches long to it. Sit or lie down and hold the thread over your pregnant belly. The ring will either go in circles or side to side (back and forth). If the ring goes in circles, you’re expecting a baby boy. If the ring goes side to side you are expecting a girl. The outcome? It first went side to side then circles! Could it be twins?? Haha..I’m just being silly

The day of the scan, the lil’ nugget was one cooperative baby. We saw a small tiny butt, it was in the air as if waving at us, perfect to find out what’s in store for us. The sonographer typed XX and asked if we wanted to know. Immediately I said “It’s a girl!” The sonographer confirmed, without a doubt.

So, yeah we are both beyond excited to be welcoming a baby girl this August!! The hubs told me repeatedly how excited he is for our baby girl to arrive. Her papa has already turned into a puddle of mush, constantly talking to her aka my bump, checking out cute little outfits for her. I’m sure she will be a daddy’s girl. Ahh, my heart melts picturing him holding her tiny hand and spending time together. And I can’t wait to dress her up and teach her all about cooking and baking. I am so looking forward to our mummy-daughter time in the kitchen!!

Oh dear, my tears are flowing as I’m writing this!! Ya,even before she arrives, we love her so much already. We will protect her with all our might and we constantly pray that she will be strong and healthy! We have so much we hope to teach her and hope she grows up to be someone gentle, sweet, compassionate, filial, responsible and the list goes on and on.

{image via Etsy}

It’s Time For Some Sweet Corn Muffins

Kenny Roger’s sweet corn muffin? Does it ring a bell? I am sure many of you have tried their corn muffins before and fell in love with them. I used to be one of them then. While surfing the net, I came across this recipe and immediately I knew I had to make them.

So last Sunday, I got down to making them and these muffins came out just in time for our morning tea break. Coffee and muffins – simply awesome. I don’t remember how Kenny Roger’s muffins taste like (it’s been donkey years since I last had them) but I can tell you that these sweet corn muffins are damn good. Moist, tender and not too sweet.

If you are looking for a simple snack/treat, I highly recommend these amazing sweet corn muffins. They don’t take long to make and will be loved by both grown ups and kiddos.

Sweet Corn Muffins
(makes 10 muffins)

1 1/4 cups self raising flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
113g unsalted butter
75g caster sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
120g corn

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Line muffin tin with muffin liners.
2. Mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
4. Slowly drizzle beaten eggs into the mixture, beating until fully incorporated.
5. Reduce mixer speed to low, add one third of the flour mixture and half the milk. Repeat with flour, then milk and then finish with flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated and batter is smooth.
6. Add corn and stir to distribute evenly.
7. Scoop the batter into the lined muffin tin. Bake for 10 minutes.
8. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C and bake for about 15 minutes (I baked mine for 13 minutes), until the muffins are golden in color or when the cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of a muffin.

(Adapted from Sherie from Maameemoomoo)

I would like to say two words to Sherie from Maameemoomoo, THANK YOU!! This recipe is a keeper and I’ll surely bake this from time to time

How To Make Muah Chee In 5 Minutes

Muah Chee, is one of my favorite childhood street snack. It is made of glutinous rice balls coated with ground peanuts, sugar and sesame seeds. When I think of Muah Chee, I think of Gurney Drive because you can definitely find them there. Whenever I go to Gurney Drive for my laksa fix (which I don’t anymore), I will definitely get a box for dessert. It doesn’t cost much, I remember it being RM 1 per box but that was quite sometime ago.

Few days ago, I have this sudden cravings for something sweet. Looked inside the fridge, nothing enticed me. Looked inside the larder and the first thing that popped up in front of me was a packet ground peanuts. Immediately, muah chee came to mind. I know it doesn’t take long to make, 5 minutes max. I’ve made this many many times before, the hubs loves it and the friends love it. So I’m telling ya, this recipe is a keeper!

Start the stopwatch.

Muah Chee
(serves 2)

125g glutinous rice flour
180ml water
1-2tbsp shallot oil

3-4tbsp roasted ground peanuts
1-2tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
(or 3-4tbsp store bought readily mixed peanuts sugar mixture)
2tsp sesame seeds, lightly toasted

Fried shallots

1. Mix glutinous rice flour, water and shallot oil in a microwaveable bowl. Stir to mix well.
2. Microwave on high for 3 1/2 minutes.
3. In a deep dish, mix roasted ground peanuts, sugar and sesame seeds.
4. Once the rice paste is ready, cut a big piece and drop it into the peanuts sugar mixture.
5. Dice the rice paste into a smaller cubes and coat them with the peanuts and sugar mixture.
6. Dish out and topped with fried shallots. Serve immediately.

(Adapted from The Little Teochew)

Told ya, it only takes 5 minutes!

Growing A Human: Having My Wings Clipped

As many of you know or might not know, SIA stewardesses have to quit if they are pregnant and I fall into this category. So after 8 1/2 years, on 20.12.12, I finally bade farewell to the friendly and sometimes unfriendly skies. It’s not a tough decision to make (not that I have a choice) and it’s something I have been looking forward to. After so many years, nothing excites me anymore. Been there, seen that, done that.

I had some wonderful 8 1/2 years with the company. This job can be quite exciting at times that a normal desk bound job can never offer. The first few years of flying were the happiest. I had the opportunity to travel the world without paying a penny and was even paid for that, they put us up in 5 stars hotel (which they don’t anymore), I get to experience different cultures and I had a lifestyle that many people yearns. And the pay was good then

After a few years, the novelty of flying wears thin and it got more and more tiring. Gone were those days when we can survive on minimal sleep and still go out the whole day after a Singapore – London flight. Now, I’d rather catch up on my beauty sleep whenever I get a chance. Sometimes, flying felt like a chore, I have to drag myself to work. This is especially true during festive seasons when you wish you were there with your family instead of being miles away. And to be always being away from the hubs, was a pain. It took a toll on us but lucky for us, we braved through the storm and all is well now.

These 8 1/2 years also opened up my vision, I’ve seen a lot of ugly people, personality wise. They can make or break your flight. They are either bitchy, crazy or lazy. Well, the good thing about this job is that you don’t have to see their freaking faces everyday and the chances of you having to work with those a**holes again are pretty slim. And lucky (or unlucky) me, I do look fierce or maybe because of my big built, I have not being terrorized before. Yes, they can be quite terrorizing! The other ugly people are non other than some P.I.T.A passenger. There are some nice ones, no doubt. But you just need only one a**hole to ruin your day. Sometimes I do not get it why those people can be so harsh, rude, arrogant and some are just blatantly disrespectful. Hello, we are not your slaves!! I wonder do they take comfort in bullying the crew? Or does it make them feel superior by doing so? You will think that passengers travelling in the upper class are nice and well mannered? Well, think again! I am glad I do not have to put up with these people anymore. Phew!

So, after being grounded for almost six months, do I miss flying at all? Nope, not the working part. However, at times I do miss the travelling and shopping that comes with it

I am happy with where I am right now and I do not see myself donning the kebaya again in the near future (for work but I will use the kebaya as a yardstick to my pre pregnancy body ). All I can say now is, I am contented and looking forward to my role as a mother. I am pretty sure it will be 100 times more fulfilling than flying

I do not have any decent photo of me in a kebaya. This is the only one I can find, taken during our pre-wedding photoshoot.

A Damn Good Bread

Bread making requires patience but if you have not make bread before, don’t get intimidated by it. It may sounds difficult but with a dough hook, which I think is the greatest invention ever, it makes bread making so much easier. No more kneading! Let the mixer do the work!

If you are thinking how come the loaf is out of shape, well it’s because the loaf tin that I just bought turned rusty after the first wash!! Bahhh, it’s such a disappointment because all along, I had envisioned it to be a perfect loaf!

Anyway, looks aside, this is some damn good bread. Hearty, sweet and cinnamony. And the smell that wafts through the kitchen is just so wonderful! Even though,  it’s fairly time consuming to make, it was so worth the effort

Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
(yield 2 medium loaves)

60ml water
240ml milk
113g butter
1 egg, well beaten
1tsp vanilla essence
1/2tsp salt
90g caster sugar
560g bread flour
7g yeast

Filling
30g butter, melted
2tbsp brown sugar
2tbsp caster sugar
1-2tbsp cinnamon
Note: Increase or decrease the amount of sugar to taste.

1. Melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat.
2. Pour butter, milk and water into the bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment.
3. Add remaining ingredients in the order (egg, vanilla, salt, sugar, flour and yeast).
4. Beat on low speed for 3 minutes.
5. Scrape side and change to dough hook.
6. Beat on medium speed until smooth for 8-9 minutes. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl and should not be sticky when touched.
7. Oil a large bowl, transfer the dough into the bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap then a kitchen towel over the bowl. Let dough rise for 1 hour.
8. After 1 hour, punch down dough and transfer to a floured work surface.
9. Roll out the dough into a big rectangle. Brush melted butter onto the rolled dough.
10. Sprinkle the sugar cinnamon mixture over the buttered surface.
11. Roll the dough up into a roll. The tighter you roll it, the better the dough will stay together once it is baked.
12. Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan with the seam of the dough facing down.
13. Cover with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Let it rise for 30 minutes-1 hour.
14. Preheat the oven to 170C.
15. Place the bread on the center rack and bake for 20-25 minutes.
16. Once baked, transfer to wire rack and let it cool.

Eat it straight. Toast it. Whichever way you choose, it will still be good!

Homemade Pandan Kaya

Four simple ingredients, that’s all you need. It’s that easy, really! And with a bit of patience, time and arm exercise, you will be rewarded with a thick and rich custard and with a toned arm to boast

Some people (one of them is the hubs) may say why bother when you can buy a bottle for just a few bucks. Yes, it’s true but everything homemade is better, don’t you agree? Fresh ingredients, no preservatives and you are allowed to tweak to your heart’s desire.

 

If you have time to spare, go ahead and make your own kaya to enjoy it with toast.

Homemade Pandan Kaya
adapted from Nasi Lemak Lover

350ml coconut milk
10 pcs pandan leaves
3 eggs, lightly beaten
200g caster sugar (I will reduce it to 180g next time)
pinch of salt

1. Blend pandan leaves with coconut milk. Strain and keep the pandan coconut mixture.
2. Add caster sugar to lightly beaten egg and stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Mix (1) and (2). Stir to mix well. Sieve the mixture (I skipped this step) into a heatproof bowl.
4. Place the heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water. It should sit snugly in it.
5. Bring the heat down to medium and stir the mixture diligently until it thickens (this may take an hour or so)
6. Keep cooking and stirring until it reaches your desired consistency ( I took slightly less than 2 hours)
7. Let the mixture cool completely before storing in a clean jar. Keep chilled in the fridge.

Note: The mixture will thickens as it’s cooled. And thickens further when chilled in the fridge.

p/s: Set up a “work station”. I had my ipad with movies on, a stool and a fan in the kitchen. And with this, I’m all set for kaya making

Growing A Human: Second Trimester

What?? Six months already? 

1. Morning Sickness. I was told that when I hit the second trimester, I will be back to normal, as in pre pregnancy stage (and it will come back during the third trimester! Seriously?! Please, please don’t!!). True enough, the moment I hit the second trimester, I felt so energized and the fatigue and nauseousness has gone. And also gone is my breakfast, nap, lunch, tea, nap, dinner, supper, sleep routine. No more feeling like a sloth! Now, pregnancy is such a breeze

2. Eat. When it comes to food, I am very easy; I am not a fussy eater. So when I was told that I have to avoid certain food for these nine months, it’s totally fine by me. But once in a while, I tend to be disobedient. When that happens, I will tell myself “It’s okay to eat but in moderation” So yeah, eat in moderation is my mantra!

3. Cooking. Lots of them. One of the things I miss during the first trimester is to be able to cook or bake. So I am taking advantage of this “normal” period to do what I love most (as much as possible) just in case I am back to become a sloth when the third trimester comes.

4. Weight gain. As of last Saturday (4/5), I have gained 15kg!!!! Great!!!!

5. Exercise. Prenatal yoga and gym. It feels good to be able to exercise again and yoga gives me much needed relief to my constant back pain.

6. Backache. I can’t run away from you, can I? Upper back, lower back, basically my whole back aches. And my friggin’ tail bone is really a pain in the butt, literally! I had this pain even before I got pregnant and it’s getting worse now. I know there will be more in store for me as the bump gets bigger!! Sigh!

7. Stretch marks. Yes on the buttocks and hips. I am now using Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil. I used it to massage the bump, hips and thighs every night. Some say that it will not help but whether it helps or not, it is a good way to relax every night before bedtime.

8. Belly button in or out? Half in, half out. Hahaha

9. Emotions. I think I am much better as compared to the first trimester. I still have mood swings (yes it’s still you, hormones!) but it’s not as bad as before. I think I managed to control it pretty well

10. Hot or cold? This pregnancy makes me feel hot all the time and the hot weather is driving me crazy! I shower at least 4 times a day, it keeps me fresh but after a while, I’m sweating buckets again. Pfft. So, I’ve resorted to minimal clothing at home (sorry too much information)

I’m enjoying every bit of it now, hope it stays this way throughout!

♥ Have a lovely week ahead ♥