Bonding with Family

Had not been working for the past months since I left my last job in July. Spending more time with my 2 princes as well as my hubby. These period of time builds our relationship stronger and closer.

Though working does gives me the money and freedom to buy and spend on my 2 princes, but that does not brings our relationship as close as now. I used to spend my time after work with friends to chill and drink, almost a everyday event (except on weekends). Reason I gave was too stress with work, and thus does not want to go back after work to face the room alone. Others would say I could go back to accompany my 2 princes, but reason I gave was I do not want to spend my time getting frustrated with them after a long day of work. I do not want my princes to only remember I only go over to scold them thats all. Thus, I avoided them on weekdays. Bad mom I was.

Hubby had always work late and never home until 12mn at times, therefore I am always out chilling and drinking with friends. Chilling is fine but it would be ridiculous that I did it everyday without fail. Now most of my chilling time would be with hubby's friends instead, short chilling at the regular coffeeshop hangout (my late FIL's friends). Though "auntie" but I am spending my time with my hubby as well as enjoying drinks. Chatting with those friends kills my boredom too, fun and nice people.

Loves grows stronger with hubby too. Now that he is expanding his business, he had requested me to help him in his business. We used to be argue and quarrel a lot while working together last time. Thus, it seems alot different now. We learn to give in and to accomodate with each other. We start a new company besides his current and hoping to work together for many years to come. I had even commit myself to getting another Diploma in Interior Design, for the future of our business.

Yes, I do miss those days at work with loads of money in my bank at the end of the month, but working with hubby reminds me of the day I took my vows to love him forever. During my working days, our love was not as strong, going home early to face the room alone frustrate me, and when he is back at wee hours, I tends to get even more crossed and avoid talking to him. In the end, the solution I did was to avoid him totally, and that is to chill and drink till late daily.

In the past, dating him for a dinner was such a disappointment, probably only 1 successful date after 15 requests, and that 1 successful date would be dinner at the hangout coffeeshop. Now we would have dinner daily together. I had always cooked lunch for hubby to work, now I could even enjoy our bento lunch with him together.

His friends even joke that all my expenses are under my hubby, 吃喝嫖賭 all under him. I had my freedom to work at flexible timing too, at times to play a little mahjong too.

Some would say all these happened because I am not a good planner with my time and not able to handle stress levels. To some may comment I am just finding excuses to laze around not to work, but it does not matter what others says about me. I had worked and had been there where I never thought I would. I had failed before few years back doing business, and learnt from lessons. For now, its to build our businesses together with hubby and to spend more time with my family.

Braised Duck

This would be my recipe for my Braised Duck. As mentioned, ugly photo but tasty duck. I would be doing another soon next week. Thus, come back to visit for nicer pictures!!!

Ingredients:
1 Duck
2 Sticks Cinnamon
5 Sticks Gan Cao
3 Dried Tangerine Peel
5 Star Anise
6 Cloves
10 -12 Slices Galangal
Five spice powder
Water
Rock Sugar
White Sugar

Seasoning:
Chinese wine
Light soy sauce
Dark soy sauce (for colour)
Salt

Steps:
1) Boil water with galangal and place the duck in to "rinse". Drained the duck and rub Five Spice Powder on the whole duck and leave it aside
2) Heat oil in a wok, melt white sugar and rock sugar until it caramelises
3) Add in galangal slices and water into wok to a boil
4) Add in the Spices to the water to a boil, add in the duck and Seasonings and simmer for 2 hours
5) After 2 hours, turn off the fire and leave the duck in the sauce for another hour
6) Serve!!!

White Cut Chicken

Love this to the max. Its my first time cooking it and it turns out well. Delicious but the sight of it was not too pretty, the skin does fall off a little. 

Ingredients:

1 Whole Chicken
5-6 Few Slices of Ginger
4 Spring Onions

5 Cloves Garlic
1 Tsp Salt
4 Tbsp Sesame Oil

Ice Water

Method:
1) Bring a pot of Water to a boil

2) Place 2 Spring Onions, 2 slices of Ginger, Garlic, 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil into the Water

3) Stuff the rest of the ingredients into the cavity of the Chicken and place it into the boiling water. 

4) Make sure the water covers the whole Chicken

5) Cook for 20mins till Chicken floats

6) Test if its cook by poking a chopstick in it

7) Remove from the boiling water once cooked and soak into the Ice Water for 2-3mins

8) Mix 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil with 1 tsp Salt and rub onto the Chicken

9) Serve!!!

P/S: Sorry the picture looks bad but it taste delicious!!! 

Braised Duck

Its my first working on Braised Duck. Since its the death anniversary of Hubby's granny, instead of buying, I suggested to prepare it myself. Though its tiring to wake up at 530am but when I see happy faces, it energize me again. 

Not only Braised Duck, also done White Cut Chicken and other small dishes. Im glad I did a fairly good job. Had to work even better next time. My late fTher-in-law's death anniversary is around the corner. Will have to do another round, and definitely would be better. 

Will post the recipe soon. Nite... Zzzz... Zzzz... 

Recapping on my DIY Hair Mask

Had not been posting quite a while, thiugh I should be much more free as Im not sorking currently. Had thought of leaving my previous job earlier for a short break, also happens that my boys are having their school holidays too. Hubby had some work that I would be helping out too this period. That makes me even busier than working. 

Now that almost all settled, I would have to do my job hunting seriously in the next couple of weeks. Had few interviews earlier but couldnt match my expected. Next would have 2 more MNCs, the Top 5 players in logistics industry that I would go for interview. Now the biggest problem is the distance. From West to East daily, till now Im still considering. Good company but distance is a big problem. 

Do some recaps on my posts. My last post was on my DIY Hair Mask. I had been doing the hair mask for at least twice a week, and its feel much healthier and softer. The coconut oil really helps alot for my dry and damaged hair. Though it is still not perfectly smooth and healthy, but its alot less frizzy and feels so much softer. I had taken out the honey and apply only coconut oil directly to my hair and extended the treatment time too. I try to leave it as long as I can. Usually at least 2 hours or more. 

Just yesterday, I did coconut oil with egg hair mask. Egg is very rich in protein and our hair needs lots of protein to stay healthier, shinier and softer. It condition hair cuticles and soothe dry scalps. 

Strengthing

Egg hair masks revive and strengthen hair because of the high protein content. Egg protein fortifies hair strands weakened and stripped from the direct heat of blow-dryers and hot curlers.

Hydration

When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair caused by chemical styling, giving it volume and bounce.

Conditions

Oil from fat conditions the hair shaft making the cuticle lay flat and preventing split ends and breakage. When massaged into the scalp, oil-based masks and conditioners also treat dandruff and itchiness caused by dry scalp.

Types

Oils and cholesterol beat dryness, but other types of egg hair masks can be created for different effects as well. An egg yolk and apple cider vinegar mask seals the hair cuticle leaving hair with unbelievable shine after it is rinsed. The addition of yogurt to an egg mask softens hair making it an optimal smoothing and relaxing conditioner. Adding lemon juice to an egg mask turns it into a simultaneous cleansing and conditioning agent. 

I had been using only coconut oil as the only ingredient for my hair masks, as honey with its sugary content tangles my hair. Though its good for hair but as alazy  and impatient person, I would skip the honey to easy manage my hair. 

Had done the egg with coconut oil hair mask and it turns out to be the same as honey. Tangled but not as bad. I guess I would had to keep my patience level higher. But overall, I really love the hair masks that I had done so far. Peeps do try it out and keep me posted on the results!!!

Stay closely for more DIY stuffs coming up and more cooking too!!! Cheers!!!

Do add me in facebook: Nicholette Hong

• Hydration

  When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. Egg hair masks can counter this condition which is exacerbated by direct heat and the chemical effects of harsh dyes, relaxers and curly permanents. The American Egg Board advises that one whole egg has 185 milligrams of cholesterol. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair giving it volume and bounce. Some masks combine mayonnaise and egg yolks for additional cholesterol benefits. With all the health advisories about the potential dangers of ingesting too much cholesterol, topical egg hair masks are a nice alternative for garnishing the benefit of cholesterol.

• Hydration

  When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. Egg hair masks can counter this condition which is exacerbated by direct heat and the chemical effects of harsh dyes, relaxers and curly permanents. The American Egg Board advises that one whole egg has 185 milligrams of cholesterol. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair giving it volume and bounce. Some masks combine mayonnaise and egg yolks for additional cholesterol benefits. With all the health advisories about the potential dangers of ingesting too much cholesterol, topical egg hair masks are a nice alternative for garnishing the benefit of cholesterol.

• Hydration

  When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. Egg hair masks can counter this condition which is exacerbated by direct heat and the chemical effects of harsh dyes, relaxers and curly permanents. The American Egg Board advises that one whole egg has 185 milligrams of cholesterol. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair giving it volume and bounce. Some masks combine mayonnaise and egg yolks for additional cholesterol benefits. With all the health advisories about the potential dangers of ingesting too much cholesterol, topical egg hair masks are a nice alternative for garnishing the benefit of cholesterol.

• Hydration

  When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. Egg hair masks can counter this condition which is exacerbated by direct heat and the chemical effects of harsh dyes, relaxers and curly permanents. The American Egg Board advises that one whole egg has 185 milligrams of cholesterol. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair giving it volume and bounce. Some masks combine mayonnaise and egg yolks for additional cholesterol benefits. With all the health advisories about the potential dangers of ingesting too much cholesterol, topical egg hair masks are a nice alternative for garnishing the benefit of cholesterol.

  
  

• Hydration

  When dry hair becomes brittle, it tends to look like straw. Egg hair masks can counter this condition which is exacerbated by direct heat and the chemical effects of harsh dyes, relaxers and curly permanents. The American Egg Board advises that one whole egg has 185 milligrams of cholesterol. The cholesterol component in eggs adds moisture to dehydrated hair giving it volume and bounce. Some masks combine mayonnaise and egg yolks for additional cholesterol benefits. With all the health advisories about the potential dangers of ingesting too much cholesterol, topical egg hair masks are a nice alternative for garnishing the benefit of cholesterol.