Feast At CJ Palace, Ngee Ann City

This was from earlier last month. It's new year, and we were having lots of companies. We introduced them to the popular Chinese New Year Salad. Lots of people, lots of food, lots of calories and lots of cholesterol.  We even had Beijing duck (no picture) The food and the company, however, were enjoyable. We had a nice evening, but we definitely need to choose healthier dishes.  

Breakfast At Bill's

For one of our breakfasts in London, we went to the nearest Bill's. It was cold and wet morning, the place just opened and we were there with only a couple of tables occupied.

I ordered their Vegetarian breakfast which has poached eggs while DH had his pancakes. It was a good breakfast, it's like something that I would have at home.

 

Burger & Lobster

We did not quite plan to eat here but we saw the place on the way to church and our mass finished after 12PM. It was lunch time.

Just the two of us, we did not really want to have too much lobster for health reason, so we had burger. I am not sure if we get a "better" or worse cholesterol booster, but it was our choice. And we enjoyed our choice, so much.

We shared one burger (above) and one lobster burger (below).  They came with lots of chips.

Borough Market, London Trip

It was Lunar New Year's eve and we were in London. Our plan for the day, because it was Friday, was to go to Borough Market. I was told that Friday was one of the best days to go there, because there are more, if not all, shops are open. We came with open mind and hungry stomach. It was exciting as usual.

Pao De Queijo

Still loving this. I have tested making these guys with different and easier recipe and it works wonderfully. These cheese buns are good for breakfast or anytime.

Steel Cut Oats Breakfast

This is definitely one of my favorite breakfasts. We had a short trip to Taipei over the new year and after we settled down back at home, this breakfast was so comforting. Ready or not, we are in 2017. 

The steel cut oats were prepared with almond milk and simply topped with pomegranate seeds and berries.

2017

Here we are in 2017. It happened so fast, I was still trying to get to know 2016 and it's all over.  Within a short time this year, I have experienced a new high and a new low. I have been over the moon, but have been punched and kicked (not literally) too. I have been humbled and I have been forced to learn. Within seven days, I have been reminded to live my life with more appreciation. My patience was tested and my good intention was completely ignored. But these are not new, these are parts and pieces of life. Unexpected things happen and you are expected to remain standing no matter how wobbly your knees are and how much pain you are experiencing.

Life can be cruel sometimes, that happens too and we all know that. It's delusional to think that good things will continuously happen to good people, that having positive attitude will make you immune of being attacked by people that are having bad days or people that are not happy with themselves. Everyone is a moving target. It's delusional to think that putting a smile and brave face will make things better.

The truth is that is not always the case. Yes, you do not want to be a victim, yet you could be a victim. Time is the key to healing, although you may not completely heal. You just have to keep on trying to heal yourself  and that may not be an easy job. Hang in there and try again. And again.

Chia Pudding

Two more das before we say goodbye to 2016. I ask the same thing like everybody asks, where did the time go?? Have I failed to treasure the days that have passed? It is hard to believe that the year that feels so new, is now nearly over. There have always been things to do, million things to chose from, if you desire that. I am happy that I don't have a day in which I get bored and have no clue on what I should do. I love most of everything that happened this year and I will do my best to forget the unpleasant things that took place.

I still have lots of love for chia pudding. It's a healthy but simple thing to prepare and there are so many variations to make. You can use any type of liquid, milk, chocolate flavor, matcha, vanilla, cinnamon sugar, etc. You can top the pudding with anything you like as well. Your imagination is the limit.

Almond Cookies

Christmas time is cookie time. I baked some almond cookies using Dorie Greenspan's recipe this year and this is a recipe to keep and remake indeed. Delicious and moreish!

Beast & Butterflies Lunch

This restaurant was opened recently in Robertson Quay area. We had lunch there not too long ago and had this Crispy noodles with lobster and sambal gravy. Despite its name, it was very mild in terms of spiciness. In my definition, sambal should be at least a little spicy.

We also tried their Duck crispies or basically wonton with duck fillings.

For dessert, we had their Extravaganza, which consisted of their four desserts, all were in their normal size. So, I say, they were too big and too much for the two of us. The yam brulee was our favorite followed by the mango and sticky rice.