Looking forward to another great 2015!

2014 has been a great year. I was able to go back to my home country to be with my family and visit some awesome sights. Back in Australia, life continues with everyday work. As a friend aptly told me, "We work like a donkey here." Indeed we do. However, we also have within our hands the capacity to make our lives a lot easier, a lot happier.

Happiness is a choice. If we choose to be so absorbed with work that we forget to take a seat back and relax, then it is our loss. It is for this reason that we always make a point to go out of the house even for just a drive to the country towns, go to a port, go window shopping or just grab fish and chips and enjoy it in a nearby park. I also do gardening, baking and painting. It does work wonders. It breaks the monotony and recharges our batteries.

In retrospect, 2014 was filled with adventures big and small for my family. I am looking forward to more adventures in 2015!

Wineries in Adelaide

Gift shop in Handorf

Fish and Chips truck along Victor Harbor

Seagulls in Victor Harbor getting a feed

Beautiful beach along Sorento

Sorento in my mind...

Seagulls fun in Port Melbourne

Enjoying a drink along the waters of Echuca

Enjoying the Squeaky Beach in Wilson's Promontory Park

Beautiful rock formations in Wilson's Prom

Blue Lake in Mt. Gambier

Getting more into Vegetables: Bitter Gourd

Still on my quest for a healthy lifestyle, I am now trying to get myself more on vegetables. In focus: Bitter gourd! Also known as bitter melon or bitter squash, this vegetable is known by other names locally.It is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, but with an extremely bitter taste. That explains the reason why I did not like it when my mom served bitter gourd when I was a kid.

Now that I need to have more vegetable on my diet, then bitter gourd is one of the vegetables that I should start eating again. Bitter gourd pods can be easily bought from Asian shops selling fresh produce. Some local fruit shops also sell them. I also found out that most Asian shops are also selling bitter gourd teas in either powder or tea bag choices. Bitter gourd has a few health benefits including lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels so that explains that it is also sold as a health supplement.

On with my bitter gourd adventure, I prepared sauteed bitter gourd with onions, tomatoes and eggs. I am still within my 6 eggs a week limit so I am alright. Surprisingly, I enjoyed my vegetable dish of the day! I was tempted to cook rice but resisted the urge or else I would have ended with more than one cup of rice.

Some tips in cooking bitter gourd:

1. After slicing the bitter gourd pod and removing the seeds with a spoon, wash the bitter gourd and sprinkle generous amount of salt. Let is stay for a few minutes before washing and slicing it. This will help in cutting the bitter taste.

2. Make sure that your pan is really hot and allow the vegetable to cook for some time, approximately 10 minutes or until it is a bit translucent and soft. Bitter gourd is quite dense so it is not a good idea for a quick stir fry.

3. Make sure you have the right amount of oil to coat the bitter gourd. Just enough to coat it. Add a little bit more while cooking when it the bitter gourd seems to dry out. I sometimes add just a little bit of water to help it cook more.

Bitter gourd as with other vegetables should be taken in moderation. I think this goes the same for almost everything in life. I think variety and balance is the key. I have been having sweet juices from fruit and vegetable juices so I need a bitter balance with the bitter gourd. I still have two months to go before I see my doctor so my adventure still continues.

Getting into Juicing

Just came from my doctor yesterday to see my blood test results. I was told months ago that I had to lower my cholesterol levels if not, he will have put me on medication. Yes, my cholesterol levels went down but not to the to required range. I asked my doctor to give me another chance to lower it down naturally before he puts me on medication. Now I am on a mission of changing my diet and making a healthy lifestyle change.

First effort: Juicing!

A mixture of kale, carrots, apple, orange, celery and lemon juice I make for the whole family.

I have been juicing for like a good three (3) weeks. By juicing, I mean just using the juice as a supplement while I try to monitor my diet as well. Juice fasting has become a craze but I think it is not for me. The juice as a supplement to my daily diet has given me little wonders to my well being. Few benefits of juicing includes helping us absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables and fruits.  It allows us to consume more vegetable and fruits easier.

I noticed that I feel more energetic since I started juicing. I also noticed that it also improved my appetite though I really try to be mindful of the food I take. A few tips on juicing:

1. Make sure that you clean the vegetables and fruits very well. 
2. Always try to make 80/20 percent of vegetable and fruit ratio.
3. Clean your juicer or blender after each use.
4. Drink the juice immediately but if you want to drink it later, store it in an airtight container and fill it to the brim. Add lemon or lime to help prevent the juice from oxidizing.
5. Be creative in using the juice pulp. There are lots of ideas in using the pulp. I have tried it using it to make vegetable patties. It is a healthy snack option.

As I continue on this mission towards a healthy lifestyle, I know that it will not be easy. I am taking it one day at a time. One step at a time. After two months,a good blood test results will be my ultimate reward.