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| In the west, the Watercress is widely used in salads, sandwich and even made into juice. In Asian countries, however, we like to use them in soups. I love Cantonese soups - the kind that have been simmered over a mild fire for an entire day, preferably over a charcoal fire. Such lo fo tong (老火汤) are extremely wholesome and hearty! When I was young, soup is a regular sight on the dining table and I was so easy to feed then. As long as I have soup in my rice, there is no need for any other dishes. I remembered growing up drinking [Lotus Soup] the most, followed by the Watercress Soup. This is a much beloved soup in my family for it's "cooling" abilities. As with all vegetables, I know Watercress contains certain minerals and vitamins but what I do not know is that it even contains cancer-suppressing properties till now! There are so much goodness in this vegetable it is no wonder why they called it a herb in the west. Here are some other benefits of the Watercress: - Antioxident - Eases coughs - Aids weight loss - Controls blood sugar - Aphrodisiac (really??) - Treats failing eyesight I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| I was first introduced to this strange-looking flower by Mum who has bought a bagful of it from the market. Due to it's odd appearance, I was apprehensive to drink the tea brewed with the flowers. "It tastes just like Ribena," Mum said. The color looks similar but I cannot be too sure about the taste. You know how parents tend to lie through their teeth just to trick us into eating/drinking something that is "good for us"? Remember when you were a kid, how you had medicine forced down your throat while your parents chant, “甜甜的” nonstop？ Taking care not to incur her wrath, I took one small sip just so to appease her. One sip led to another and before long, I finished the entire glass of tea. Mum is right afterall! I was amazed by it's similarity to the Blackcurrent drink except this is a little sour but so much healthier without all the unnecessary sugars! This flower, a relative to the Hibiscus, is rich in antioxidants and minerals especially vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and B6. Here are some benefits of Roselle: - Diuretic - Controls fever - Aids digestion - Soothes colds - Controls diabetes - Clears up mucous - Controls cholesterol - Clears blocked nose - Controls high blood pressure - Promotes proper kidney function I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Huai Shan (淮山), also known as Shan Yao (山药) or the Nagaimo, is a root vegetable belonging to the Yam family. Although I have seen them plenty of times at the wet market, it is still my very first attempt cooking the fresh variety. One interesting thing about this root was how slippery it would become the moment you started peeling off it's skin. It is almost like trying to grab a live eel which is desperately trying to wriggle out of your grasp! The soup is exceptionally flavorful that I do not even have to add any salt or MSG and I am amazed to find that Huai Shan tasted almost similar to the potato in texture. I am so loving this soup! Here are some benefits of the Huai Shan: - Antibiotic - Antioxident - Lowers blood sugar - Prevents osteoporosis - Lowers blood pressure - Improves digestive system I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| White Radish, also known as Daikon to many, is a very versatile root vegetable. You could pickle it, stew it, fry it, saute it, cook soup with it and even make a (carrot) cake out of it! I used to hate it whenever Mum cooks this soup as I would always mistake the smell for a gas leak only to realise it's coming from the Radish! As I grew up, I began to appreciate this humble root more when I knew how beneficial it is. Here are some benefits of the White Radish: - Aids weight loss - Aids in digestion - Eases sore joints - Dissolves phlegm - Reinforces energy - Clears stuffy nose - Dissolves gall stones - Regulates metabolism - Improves blood circulation I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haw Par Villa, formerly known as the Tiger Balm Gardens, was originally constructed in 1937.
The pictures here were taken two years ago when I last visited Haw Par Villa with my parents after a long hiatus of more than twenty years!
It was first published on my other blog link (which explains the different watermark) but I thought it was a shame for it to be buried and lay forgotten under the archives hence, I decided to reproduce it here to remind other Singaporeans, visitors and *cough* STB about the existence of this theme park.
 Two exhilarating weeks have passed us by and I have returned safe and...){kind=link}
, also known as Shan Yao (山药) or the Nagaimo , is a root vegetable belonging to the Yam family. Although I have see...){kind=link}
