sunday is a perfect time..

for a coffee date,


and bake some sweets, pear and custard tart :)

found the recipe here
I pretty much follow the recipe, but at the end, inspired by masterchef, (my current tv show addiction), I tried to make a brulee-like effect by sprinkling some raw sugar, and caramelized it under the griller.
big. mistake.
I slightly "over-caramelized" the sugar.. :(
despite that, it still taste yum!
the pears are nice and soft, the custard is sweet and vanilla-ey, but the store-bought shortcrust pastry is a tiny bit undercooked (but, that's how he like it).
Next time, I will roll my own pastry.

A perfect closure to a somewhat disastrous, and a very2x long week.

AIR, mike mills

I've been playing this, oh..about 4 times today.

after work lunch

udon soup (half a portion, just how I like it) & sushi rolls
can you see the reflection of the trees on the soy sauce?

super simple broccoli

well well, this blog has turn into a food blog hasn't it?
hmm, that's alright (I guess).
broccoli is my favourite vegie, I always buy them every SINGLE week!
A week without those tiny florets, my body would scream "I WANT MY BROCCOLI..NOW!!!"

anyway,here's how I did it.

you'll need :
1 broccoli
1tsp butter
a pinch of chilli flakes, and
1 clove of garlic. thats it.

trim the florets, and slice the stalk into matchstick (yes, you can eat the stalk, just discard the toughest bottom part) wash and drain in colander
chop 1 clove of garlic
heat 1 tsp butter or olive oil (it wont be the same though, butter tastes better)
saute the garlic until fragrant, add chili, and broccoli
cover the pan,let it steam.
after 2min, flip them, and cook for another 1 - 2 min. you can see some of the florets brown a bit, that's the good part.
take off the heat, and transfer to a plate.
you can also squeeze lemon juice for a bit of zing. healthy,no salt and pepper needed. yum

nice quote 2

"neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics live in them, and psychiatrists collect the rent."

(quote borrowed from 'optimum nutrition for the mind' book)

grey-day

my friend from yoga, a lovely lady, gave me this weird Chinese mix drink, its a black sesame drink, doesn't look good, but taste good! We always have a chat after practice, over a cup of chai, she often give me great advices too.. <3


look, the drink matches my outfit!

please winter, don't come too soon!

7 a.m. in the morning.
woke up to morning mist..started to get really3x cold here! (for me..)

just another day

start your day with breakfast.

coffee & toast (babka loaf takes humble toasts to another whole new level)



window shopping, how cool, now I can send pic from the changing room..! (yeah, I know, MMS was invented ages ago, but, I'm not a gadget savvy)



had a bit a laugh reading this menu. Read the description on agedashi tofu. "..spring onion and bonito 'freak'.." (I do hope they mean flakes, because I don't want to eat freaky bonito!)


mmmm.. sushi!

brothers of end

brothers of end
beautiful.under-appreciated.

wishlist : the radio dept. (clinging to a scheme)

swedish music for dummies describe their music as introvert pop.

Sunday, lovely sunday..

morning : slow breakfast @ home, and a cup of stovetop coffee
mid-morning :2 hrs led class, felt really great afterward..! love the energy of a led class, harmonious om chants, ujjayi breath sounds, sweats, and everything else.. and, oh,a massive endorphins release!
note to self : should've gone to led class more often, drag your lazy behind of the bed.. It's worth it!



noon : went to Babka, bought takeaway sandwiches for lunch (nicoise, and vintage cheddar to share), went home, and experienced the best sandwiches I have ever tasted in my life..! I couldn't believe sandwich can be so satisfying. I even had to split them in two shift of lunches. I will positively come back just for the loaf. (or, maybe some savoury pies/pastries..?) Lots of people complaining about their service, but I found the service was ok for a super busy cafe.

afternoon : ate the rest of my sandwich, read 'optimum nutrition for the mind' by patrick holford (best quote : "alcohol pickles your brain" and "sugar & stimulants make you stupid")

evening : baked cheat pizza (anchovy & potato and rosemary), masterchef, some more browsing, and writing my blog.
ooh, I also found out that the guys at 65 degrees found my blog, and linked it on their website. (I thought Im the only one reading this blog) Cool.. maaaaaybe I could get a free cup of coffee later, guys? hehe, just kidding..

Hi Dawn

As a nutritionist (to be), I often asked my patients to write a 2 week food diary.
Will you please be my patient, just so I can get your amazing food diary? :)

I swear..

I spotted Jens Lekman today on the tram stop.. (or, might just be someone who looks a lot like him! But I'm like, 98.6% sure though)

perfectly poached eggs

I munch on the toast while waiting for my eggs to cook (what can I do? Im starving)


dig in!

lunch today..
poached eggs on toast with harissa spread, and olives.

to make a perfect poached eggs, remember this formula ;

perfect eggs = fresh eggs x (rolling heat water + 2 - 3 min)

fresh eggs ARE essential, otherwise, it's going to be a disaster!
time is relative, depends on how solid would you want the yolks
rolling heat = bring water to the boil, and turn down the heat until large bubbles disappear

long time no see, nina

So you are a fashion designer now.. :)
To this day, I'm still listening to your records. I listened either to pre - '1st band on the moon' albums, If I want a bit of cheeriness, or 'long gone before daylight', if I feel a bit melancholic.
Anyway, good luck with your new project, I'm sure you'll be great.

XX Amanda.

small block

last Sunday, we went to small block for a breky.
I had some extra cash, so I decided to spent it on a great breakfast. We haven't had a good breakfast for a few months, I just thought we deserved it.
The place was packed. Luckily, there were only 2 of us, so the odds of getting a table were higher. 5-7 min wait, we're perched outside, on a wiggly tiny stool, had some vitamin D as an appetizer. No sunnies on, it almost triggered a headache. fortunately, my coffee arrived, we tried to drink the coffee as slow as possible. 15 min later, our food came, Buck rarebit with poached eggs & chili relish for me, and eggs florentine with smoke salmon for him.
We ate in s i l e n c e.., almost meditative.
combination of perfectly poached eggs, sunny and silky yolks,wilted fresh spinach, cheese on toast, and spicy relish.
finished up the rest of the coffee, and we're leaving happier than ever.
perfect breakfast :) see you in the next few months guys!

So Excited!

I found a new coffee place, 65 degrees (309 exhibition street)
no milk crates turned into chairs, no hipsters, no overloaded cuteness, just a good, no, AWESOME cup of coffee. Are you up for a coffee date? ;)

my newborn baby

About to rent a space in a multi-modality clinic, hopefully it'll work out. Otherwise, I will have 12 unused yoga mats.. :S