COCONUT BANANA MUFFIN

Hello there!

I have been rather busy lately that explains the absence...yeah, i simply love to be busy (some may say that i'm a workaholic especailly my spouse). Anyway would't life be boring otherwise? well for me it definately WILL!

Just to keep you busy why not try this YUMMY muffin for a treat? It's simply DELICIOUS! Go on make someone happy....here goes...

Coconut Banana Muffins (makes 6-8 muffins)
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 very ripe bananas, mashed (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/ cup creamed coconut

Method
Mash the banana with the sugar until smooth. Add the egg, the creamed coconut and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the remaining dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just mixed. Pour into lined or greased cupcake molds, two-thirds of the way, and bake in a medium oven (350f/180c) until brown and firm (about 25 minutes). Serve warm with a nice cup of tea!

Enjoy!

Love

Sherry

All About Muffins!

CHOCOLATE COATED MUFFIN TOPPED OFF WITH DESSICATED COCONUT

VANILLA MUFFIN COATED WITH MULTI COLOURED RICE

Muffins come in many shapes and guises but one thing they have in common is that they are small, individually sized and baked in a muffin tin or cup shaped moulds which are lined with pleated foil or paper baking cases.

Like cupcakes muffins too can go by many different names. Some describe specific types of cakes while others are more generic. Muffins, a huge category of cupcakes are leavened by baking powder and are often baked without paper baking cases.

Sweet or savoury, they can be eaten as a breakfast treat or with afternoon tea, or an accompaniment to lunch or dinner. Muffins are not usually iced although I have experimented and have become accustomed to it.

I enjoy creating the toppings and have a lot of fun decorating them with whatever I have sitting in my refrigerator. Simply love the flexibility of it all!

Queen cakes are a traditional British cupcake made with a creamed butter mixture combined with currants, lemon zest and sometimes chopped almonds. Traditionally, they were backed in small fluted moulds, but today they are more usually baked in pleated paper baking cases or muffin tins.

Even in South East Asia you’ll find some little authentic cupcakes or muffins. In the Philippines, moon cakes or rice cakes are steamed in banana leaf moulds. They are very much like the muffins as they are small and spongy. In Japan, a small similar muffin like cake known as the ‘katsutera is a hit!

As I had mentioned earlier, most muffins are eaten plain but just to spice things up, I simply love dressing them!...... Yup! You should try it… and I’ll take a bet that you’ll get hooked with this new found hobby too!

So I shall leave you with a a couple of my creations to feast your eyes and hope you will enjoy what you see.

You are most welcome to drop me line or comment. I would love to hear from you! If you want to know more, do not hesitate do either comment or get in touch with me via my e-mail:

sherryharding245@gmail.com

Bye for now….

Cheers!

Sherry

Missing in ACTION!

Hello everyone

I have been very busy...with 101 things and that's the reason why i haven't posted. It's amazing how time flies...I can't believe that it's been almost a month since!

Anyway i just wanted to share with you that today I'm in a seminar. The most exciting thing I wanted to share is that my muffins were served for the coffee break, thanks to Siew Fong....Isn't that nice? I'm so very happy with my life at this stage as I am finally doing what I love most (comparing it to my previous job)...a case of living my life to the fullest!

The type of muffins which I prepared for this function are Orange Poppy Seed & Savoury Chicken Mushroom Muffins. They were well received, and that spurs me to continue with this passion of mine.

I hope to someday live my dreams of having my own cafe and to be able serve all my favourite baked creations in it's cosy ambience (oh! did I tell you that I enjoy interior designing too?). It will be a great way to spend my time doing what I love most in my life!

Cheers!

Sherry

p.s. once again thanks heaps Siew Fong!

VEGGIE QUICHE

This is a mini quiche

Hello there! yesterday I tried another one of my favourite recipes, THE QUICHE!

what i like about the quiche is that there is no hard and fast rule about it other than the pastry of course!
What i mean is that i can simply throw in what ever i have in hand or in the fridge and viola!...one unique creation is invented! I can use tuna, chicken, anchovies, sausages, or simply vegetables and i mean any kind of veggies.

Anyway today I shall share with you a very healthy as well as reliable recipe. Hope you will enjoy making it for your family to relish it's goodness! See pictures...enjoy!

VEGGIE QUICHE

pastry
225g plain flour, sifted with a pinch of salt.
(if u like u can substitute with wholewheat flour, 125g + 100g plain flour)
100g cold butter - diced
2-3tbs cold water

filling
2 tbsp sunflower or canola oil
1 medium onion - diced
bell peppers or capsicum green, yellow and red (medium sized or 1/2 if they are big) -diced
1 big tomato - diced spring onions small bunch - diced
250ml evaporated milk
125 ml whipped cream (optional)
3 eggs
1/2 cup Cheddar
cheese - grated (optional) 1 tsp chicken seasoning or chicken cube (sm piece) salt and pepper to taste

Method
Put flour into a large mixing bowl.
Rub in butter to resemble breadcrumbs. Add cold water and mix to form a firm dough.

Place dough in a plastic bag and chill for 20-30mins
Roll out pastry and line
greased tin or container. Trim off excess pastry and gently fork the base. Line the base with tin foil and put in beans or rice to blind bake for 15 mins at 190 C. Remove tinfoil and beans. stirring. Add in chicken seasoning, salt and pepper.

Lastly add the tomato and spring onions, just a very quick stir fry
will do as we don't want to overcook these veggies as it will be baked later.

In another bowl break eggs and whisk. Then dd milk to it and season with salt and pepper taking care not over season as we don't want it to be too salty. When the filling is done spoon them on to the partially baked pastry shell. Then gently spoon the milk mixture over the shell.

Lastly sprinkle the grated cheese over it and bake in preheated oven for 30 mins or when you notice the top is firm or a little brown.

So there you have it!

Cheers!

Sherry

p.s. DClewis this one is especially for you.

p.p.s. You can make a larger quiche and have it sliced in wedges to serve as shown.

MUFFIN JEWELLERY!

Marvellous Muffins

I'm mad about muffins! They were certainly not as popular when I was growing up as they are now - now of course there are muffins shops, muffin mixes on grocery store shelves, donut shops now sell muffins too.

But nothing can compare to a homemade muffins, fresh out of the oven! They are so easy to make, you can whip up a batch of muffins and be eating them in less than an hour.

And the homemade varieties can be pretty nutritious - usually not containing too much fat or sugar (unlike the commercial varieties) and full of good ingredients like grains and fruits. Rest assured all the ingredients I use are fresh and of good quality.

I like eating muffins for breakfast and tea although I also like snacking on them whenever I need to. I am happiest whenever I have some ready in the pantry to be packed for my kids when they go to school. I make them often on weekends. Leftover muffins can be frozen and then just popped in the microwave to heat up when you want one.

These shown here are my Royal Collections. They are covered with the loveliest toppings as you can see. Besides these I also make equally tasty and nutritious ones – minus the toppings. I like to throw in carrots, bananas, apples, oranges and even the pumpkin variety can be so delicious. Honestly one wouldn’t know that you have all these ‘secret’ ingredients as they are cleverly camouflaged with all the goodies like chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, raisins, sultans, cherries and nuts. My kids simply love these treats!

Enjoy!...Cheers!

Sherry
P.S. Please browse thru my blog below to view some of my earlier creations!

Muffins to Die For!

CHECK OUT THE CHOC CHIPS! YUMMM THEY PRACTICALLY MELT IN YOUR MOUTH AS YOU BITE!

Guess what? by now you would probably know how CRAZY I am about MUFFINS ! But you know what - i just can't help but share with you what i made last weekend.

Well you see my parents had come back from a short break from my sister's in Penang and they had packed some snacks for their train journey - some ham sandwiches and some bananas.

They had 2 bananas tucked away in the fridge. I only discovered them after a few days (still fresh by the way). So as not to waste them, i decided to whip up a banana plus whatever i had available in my fridge. Viola the most delicious 'Banana, Blackcurrant and Chocolate Chip' version was created! Hope you will try it and ENJOY them...... ours disappeared very quickly!
heres' the ingredients and method:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons backing powder
1 cup sugar (3/4 if you want it less sweet)
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup melted butter or conola oil
2 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup or more blackcurrants
1/2 cup or more chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla essence

Sift flour and backing powder and mix the sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl beat eggs, add vanilla and milk. Make a well in the bowl with dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture in and very gently stir.

Lastly add in the oil or butter. Fold very gently together with the blackcurrants. Finally with the use of a spoon or an ice-cream scoop fill the greased muffin pan or paper cups 2/3 full. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on the top of the muffins and bake in an oven at 190-200 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown and the skewer come out clean.

Lots of love

Sherry

DELICIOUS BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Greetings!

Guess what i stumbled upon today - a lovely easy blueberry muffin recipe! It will surely appeal to you, guaranteed.

You can substitute with fresh strawberries if blueberry is difficult to find. Any other types of fresh fruits also be used.

It will be a joy to try plus have an interesting snack for your breakfast, tea or supper. It will be a nice treat for you kids to pack and take to school for their break (one headache solved for Mom!)

Enjoy!

Sherry

All U need to know about the Swine Flu

Take Good Care!

Lots of Love

Sherry

Savoury Weekend Pictures

Apologies to you!....due to some technical error, this couldn't go through earlier nevertheless I hope you will enjoy the pictures as well as the recipe!

Hi all

here's a step by step process of the Herb Cheese Chick Sausage; really simple as ABC....here goes...


Ingredients

Prepare all the ingredients as mentioned

2 cups multi-purpose flour
1 cup Cheddar cheese
1 tsp baking soda
6 sticks chicken sausage etc
(To be precise please refer to the recipe below)


Method:

2 bowls needed for wet & dry ingredients

dried ingredients being flour, baking powder, cheese, dried garlic,
dried herbs, salt

wet ingredients being milk, egg and oil

cut 4 sausages into small cubes and reserve the other two and cut rounds for garnishing


Final Product

bake in oven at 180-200 degrees C for 20 mins

enjoy with a cuppa for a quick snack, breakfast or brunch!

Will be posting some more interesting Eurasian recipes soon so watch out for more ya?!!!!? Till then have a great week ahead!

Lots of love,

Sherry

WELCOME BACK!!

HELLO! I'M BACK - WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Muffin Recipe Breakfast Recipes Healthy Meal Recipes

This makes a big batch of spiced pumpkin muffins. Feel free to use raisins or dried cranberries in these muffins instead of the mini chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons canola oil or corn oil
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (from approx ½ a pumpkin - cleaned, boiled and processed in blender)
• 4 large eggs
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (whatever is available)

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 24 muffin cups or mini fluted cupcake cups. Beat sugars with oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs until well blended.
Combine flour, soda, salt, and spices in a bowl; stir into the first mixture until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.
Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full

makes 24 muffins.


ENJOY YOUR B'FAST / TEA.....HAVE FUN....
CHEERS!
SHERRY

A Garden Of Eden

How does your garden grow? Being a garden enthusiast, I can go on and on about this topic! I hope you share the same interest with me...

flowering plants not only add colour but also accentuate the garden porch. Some plants are more sensitive than others, thus you will have to take extra care. That's why i love orchids. They are really hardy and not fussy.

Tender Loving Care (TLC) is what make plants trive well. Besides watering them, you should replenish the soil at least once a month, add fertiliser every fortnight and spray pesticide at least once a month. These should guarantee you a successful priced beauty.

If you love gardening, but don't have the space to create your Garden of Paradise, container gardening is an ideal choice. Container gardening is essentially placing different plants (at least three) in containers made of plastic, clay, wood or ceramic.

There are many ways in which you can design your house garden, no matter how small, into a space in which you can derive all the simple pleasures of nature. Bonsai or Japanese Garden is also a very nice concept if there is space constraint.

Happy Pottering!

Sherry

P/s more pics for my garden of EDEN

MY BEAUTIFUL GARDEN

Hi All

I have always loved plants. I like flowering and non-flowering plants. Fruit trees and herbs are also my favourite but due to space constraints, I have only managed to plant a mango and a custard apple tree in my garden. It placed in the tiny spot at my front yard. As for herbs, I have a curry leave plant, spinach and some basil for the plucking when necessary - very convenient indeed!

I simply enjoy the sounds and sights of all the happenings in my lovely small garden especially the visiting birds chirping and enjoying what the flowers have to offer every morning and evening. It's an amazing experience with nature and the wonders of our Lord!

Cheers!

Sherry

Mum's 72nd Birthday

Hello!

We celebrated my mum's birthday last Sunday, Joanna Gaspar. She was born in 1937 in Kuala Lumpur. A survivor of the second world war. A survivor of great hardship during her growing up years. She became 'mom' to her younger siblings after she lost her mother and father who expired exactly a year apart of each other. Her mother died with womb cancer after giving birth to 16 children while her father suffered a heart attack.

My mum is a jewel of a woman. She is a role model for all of us, her children and grandchildren. She is a very loving, patient, caring and understanding person.

She's also a very simple lady. She's very unassuming and generous too. She is one woman whom I can vouch is comfortable in her own skin! I say this especially because she never vain.

She's always doing stuff for us. She is a very, very good cook. The whole family enjoy her speciality to bits! Besides that she used to sew our dresses and headgear when my sister and I were little. She would be a barber, baker, tailor and carpenter!.... A perfect DIY icon of those days!

She has taught me the importance of faith - Family rosary prayers every evening before our dinner. She used to drag us to church every Sunday. As we lived on the mainland in Prai (north of Malaysia), back then when buses were not yet introduced. As a kid, I used to look forward to the sampan ride across the river to go to the Nativity Church in Butterworth. It was fun being able to touch the clear water and see the fish swimming by.

Besides that I remember very clearly how much she sacrificed for us kids. Mum was quite strict when it came to housework. She never spoilt us. I appreciate the basic living skills she passed on to me. She sent me off to the market and pay the bills at the age of 6-7 years.

She made sure we knew our responsibilities. School work, chores and other duties were always in check. I used to get upset at times back then but it's only when I grew up, I realised what it was all about.

My greatest wish for my beloved mum is that she enjoys a good life today and always. I just can't imagine if anything were to happen to her. Most of all I pray for God's blessings to shower upon her always because she deserves it!

I pray she enjoys good health in her twilight years. I wish her HAPPINESS, PEACE JOY and LOVE form all her loved ones and friends.

So my dears out there, I do hope you will appreciate, treasure, love and take care of your 'moms', whom ever they might be - how ever they have treated you. As the Lord says, honor and respect your parents, that means your grandparents too as without your grandparents, you wouldn't have your parents and without your parents, you wouldn't exist!

Last but not least always remember what goes around comes around!

Cheers!

Sherry p/s

I made an orange almond cake. Baked special chicken roast, noodles of course (for long life), chili beef and salad. We also had yellow ghee rice and oven baked wheat bread....Menu for the day had to be Mom's special request. We had a gathering of my Dad's sisters, A. Lifo & A. Helen and my cousin Elwyn & family (view pic)...Enjoy! Recipe for Orange Cake.


Orange Cake Recipe

250 grams butter softened
1-3/4 cup caster sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
4 large eggs 1 or 2 oranges - extract juice & orange rind
Almonds for decoration

method:

cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Beating well between each addition until thoroughly incorporated. Add orange rind. Sift flour and add in batter gradually and alternate with orange juice. Bake in moderate heat 180C for about 45 mins.

Gearing Up For Valentine's Day?

Good morning...

How are you feeling today? Hope that you're in the pink of health! The vibes of Valentine's Day has been brewing in the air for the past week.

Just look around on the TV, in the media and shopping malls - It's amazing to see how this day has caught on to people all over the world.

Advertisement has it as 'Say it with Roses', 'Spice up your Valentine's Day with Scent' and others 'Spoil Him/Her with Chocolate!' Of course I'm sure some of you would proof to your loved one by booking in an exclusive holiday on an
island in Malaysia or the Alps perhaps?..a cruise? or even a luxurious stay at a prominent hotel inclusive of a spa treatment to boot??'

Well I would be thrilled to enjoy such pampering but lets get real OK! I for one wouldn't like to stand in queue just to have a SPECIAL dinner at famous place. I wouldn't want my spouse to pay a hefty RM10 just for 1 stalk of rose (although he wouldn't do it anyway). I'd be touched if he gets me some other variety (but not form my garden mind you!)....I wouldn't mind the Bunga Raya even, as long as it's not a stolen one!

It's not about being a cheapskate but it's simply the practicality of the whole matter. I feel everyday should be Valentine's Day.

Yup! We should demonstrate our love for each other EVERY single day. Yes we all have our differences - be it in our opinions, our likes and dislikes, hobbies, beliefs etc, etc. But only if we love, respect and except one another be it our lover, husband, wife, father, mother, children, relatives, friends and everyone in the world, it would amount to something great, right?

But the whole truth is I am a freak for Valentine's. I usually do something extra special for my loved ones. My own special way - so today I have baked some special Valentine's Muffin with topping (pls view pic). Hope they will enjoy them and and feel SPECIAL!

Here's wishing you a wonderful 'Valentine's Day' this Sunday. Just remember that YOU ARE SPECIAL! Introducing my funny Valentine, Edgar and sons, Leslie & Jude.

Cheers!

Sherry

p/s tq u L/ann & Les.

Another Holiday & Another Chance!

Hi there....

today we enjoy yet another holiday here, in the state of Selangor and a few other states in Malaysia in conjunction of Thaipusiam - a day where Hindus carry out their vows to the Lord Muruga at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur.

Devotees fulfill their vows by carrying the kavadi (a small decorated chariot), some of them pierce themselves while others carry milk pots as an offering for favours granted or thanksgiving.

This event usually attracts many tourists who watch in awe as the devotees perform these religious acts. Throngs of onlookers as well as devotees usually cause traffic congestion which begins very early in the morning.

Tonight is also Chap Goh Meh. It's the 15 day or the last day of the Chinese New Year. Lots of crackers being fired around the area where I live. Hopefully this will not hamper yet another good night's sleep!

Happy to have completed making 3 sets of muffins today (tiga sekawan) - Orange Poppy Seed, Chocolate and the Chicken Mushroom & Cheese variation. My niece, Llew-Ann will help me promote them to her colleagues in her office.


I have been looking around town and I think I've found a base where I can advertise my creations. Who knows something great will materialise eventually!

I know that I should be cautious and not rush into anything...I shall have to give it a good thought. On the other hand, me being a Money Mastery graduate, have learnt that acting fast is the essence in making money machines a success.

The biggest hurdle of course will have to be... getting approval and blessings from my hubby and the rest of the family before launching my project.

So do continue to wish me luck...Gotta say goodnite! Enjoy the new articles!

Cheers!

Sherry

p/s: TQ very much, Llew-Ann!

MY VERY FIRST BREAK!

Hello there!

Today I'm feeling AWESOME! I got my first break at marketing my muffins at a local restaurant. Yup! I feel it's the stepping stone or the beginning of my dream.

Although it's only at it's infant stages or well, should I say it's only at it's embryotic stages, I feel very very elated and excited!

My ultimate dream is having a cosy place where I can bake my favourite things (by now I'm sure you know muffins and pies) and providing a nice ambience where people can relax and meet up for a cuppa or a snack.

So for the moment I shall focus on the NOW and TODAY therefore I shall continue to go knocking on doors. Hopefully by the grace of God He will connect me to some more good people who will give me a chance to proof myself.

Gotta run now...lots of nitty-gritty things to think about and iron out. Shall keep you posted. In the meantime do wish me well in my endeavour, will be needing them heaps!! Thank you!

Take care & Cheers!

Sherry

There are Good People Out There!

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my dental appointment today. These days going to dentist is something pleasant, unlike before - an absolute torture! All this sudden change is due to a wonderful specialist, a Dr Sorayah who is from the Gonverment dental hospital in our city, Klang, Selangor.

I was referred to her when the general dentist couldn't help me with my gum (it being something extraordinary). Since I visited her from day one, I realised how wrong I had been in being so judgemental about all dentist and branding them as ruthless, impersonal and just treating their patients just to make their $ for the day.

Dr Soraya is such a beautiful lady. She is a professional who is so humble, gentle, caring and patient. She has always treated me with respect. She never fails to explain what the problem articulately, what she plans to do to help overcome it and always asks me how I FEEL in the process of the procedure. This is something I have never ever experienced in my entire life!

I still remember the ordeal as a little girl in Primary school, how our names (students) were called up when the school organised random dental check-ups.... My friends and I would be shivering, hoping and praying that it won't be our turn! Then we will be taken off in a van to nearest gorvenment clinic.

Oh, how I used to dread those awful times. The doctors and nurses wouldn't talk, let alone smile at us! They were just as sterile as the apparatus and atmosphere there. Yet, I used to diligently go anyway....thanks to that, I still have all my teeth intact...considering what a sweet, chocolate and cake junkie I was and still am till today!

Anyway coming back to the lovely Dr Soraya, she has become a beloved friend to my whole family. During one of my visits, I mentioned to her about my mum's gum problem (she used to get gum-boils very often) I was only looking forward for an explanation but instead she booked my mum to visit her.

Subsequently, my dad who had a very, very bad experience with the last dentist who extracted his molar many years ago, didn't want to go to any dentist although he was silently suffering with some serious underlying dental problems . I spoke to Dr Soraya and she was willing to see him and treat him.

That's not all, once my little son accompanied me for my appointments. He was awfully curious and asked her a hundred and one questions and yet I was amazed at how patiently she had explained everything he wanted to know! In fact she was actually enjoying his company! That's not all, she also took the opportunity to give him a check up and polish his teeth with him getting to choose what flavour polish he wanted! Lucky fellow!

So by now you would understand why we completely adore this specialist who incidentally heads the department at this dental clinic. Well you might think that I have taken advantage of the kindness of this special lady but let me tell you that she is one genuine human being who obviously is passionate about her job just as well passionate about people in general.

I notice that she treats her staff the same way as her patients, with respect and kindness. I'm glad to mention that her staff seems to be influnced by their leader! This is a fact!

Well will you believe me that my Dad has no sweat going to the dentists? Guess what today she asked me how my Mum was. That's how genuine she is. Well honestly speaking another person wouldn't even bother... Indeed I feel that this world would be a better place if it had more Dr. Sorayas and the likes. There would be less selfishness, ruthlessness and less inflated egos.

On a possitive note, there are pepole out there who are kind, loving and caring. You just gotta be lucky to bump into them by chance. Better still it would be nice if you can be one of them...yup... YOU can make a difference!

Cheers! Keep smiling!
Sherry

p/s meet my little son JUDE (pic)

Here's to LONG Life!

Hello there!

Can't imagine 10 days has gone by since my last posting..it's simply because I have been busy living my life!

Yup, the Chinese New Year Hols was here and my little son had 1 week off. My sister who teaches was also on a week's break. She and her family were down from Penang too. We were pretty busy doing things that made us happy.

Since my mum is half Chinese we had a steamboat dinner on the eve and it was fun. It was quite an evening for us as it ended with a colourful display of fireworks plus fire crackers, compliments from our Chinese neighbours - awesome!

All these happiness and celebrating, again has caused me to be back at square one where my workout regime is concerned. Nevertheless, isn't all these little things that makes life so worthwhile....so I'm not complaining!

Research has found that besides exercise, there are other things that one can do to add years to our life.

BEING HAPPY tops the list as it adds 9 years! Optimistic people tend to act in healthier ways that those who are negative - getting more exercise and taking part in more life-affirming social activities.

A positive outlook also means quicker recovery from illness and injury to fight viruses and bacteria.

Did you know that FEMALES outlive men by 10 years? Having FAITH + 7 YEARS?
MARRIAGE + 7 YEARS too? Caring for PETS + 2 YEARS? Last but not least, A ROOM WITH A VIEW + 2 YEARS? - Living, working or recuperating from a room with a view can lift our mood, ease stress and provide a deep sense of optimism.

There you have it! Go on live your life to the fullest doing all that's good for you. Get out of your bed...stop resting on your laurels... go get yourself a pet, a husband or a wife. Practise your faith, know your GOD as He loves you unconditionally!

Last but not least, please don't go change your SEX if your a man OK! We females are simply gifted! Hee! Hee! Hee!

I baked 2 types of muffins for tea last weekend for my family. Orange Poppy and 3C's (Coconut, Cappuicino & Cocolate) Muffin. I enjoyed playing with the all ingredients I had in the pantry and it was so rewarding to see them go like hot cakes! Will share the recipie with you soon.

Included photos of my room with a view of my garden. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Cheers!

Till then, take care and God bless,

Sherry

'It's a New Day'.....'Muffin Top' & All!

“It’s a new day” the song composed and sung by Will.iam for the inauguration of Obama the 44^th President of America. It struck a chord – A New Year, A New Day - everyday IS a new day and yet don’t most of us take our life for granted?

Incidentally it reminds me of an elderly aunt whom I spoke to recently. I wised her A Happy New Year & A Happy Birthday (her birthday falls on the 1^st of Jan too). She retorted that everyday is a New Year and everyday is Happy BIRTHday in all it’s sense! She continued to say what would A New Year, A Birthday or every single day be if one was ill or bedridden on these occasions! What a wise outlook – I appreciated her sharing as it came as an eye-opener.

My mind is racing with lots to talk about as there’s so much for me to thank God for…but health must top the list. For it’s only when we are healthy can we look forward to living life to the fullest. Don't you agree?

The good news is that my hubby and I have begun our morning walks after a year’s layoff! …..Yup! A year’s layoff! Well I must be honest and say that I was not discipline enough. I shall not blame, make excuses or justify! I’m enjoying the fresh air now and knowing that I am doing something positive about my overindulgence over the Christmas season. Opps! Did I tell you that I have developed a “Muffin Top” (literally)? He! He! View picture.

I was truly motivated by an article of a prominent figure, Datuk Anna Lim (twice crowned beauty queen) here in Malaysia. She has the passion to take good care of herself both physically and mentally. She believes that effort and love of oneself produces positive results. Besides being fit and fabulous it also boosts ones self confidence.

New Years Resolutions are made each year. Some may have achieved theirs while others may have forgotten what resolutions they made. There are some who don’t bother making any. If you are guilty (like me) just forgive yourself and move on! Make a CHANGE! Out with the negative and in with the positive!

Well I have decided to take the advice of the experts on achieving resolutions - will update you with the 10 steps recommended in my next post. In the meantime enjoy your life and have a lovely weekend with your loved ones and frineds. Happy Chinese New Year to all of you out there!

Cheers !!

Sherry

Muffin Top (or Muffin Top Girl) is a slang term for someone who wears both tight fitting low-rise jeans (or pants) and midriff-baring tops.

For people not sufficiently slim, the resulting spillage of flesh at the midriff is often said to resemble a muffin top.

Welcome to Muffin Huntin' dot com. The world's only museum dedicated to the Muffin Top, and the never-ending Muffin Hunting season.

Cos I'm Worth it!

Hello it's me again..I'm overjoyed today as I have finally pampered myself to a long over due facial! Well, i was offered a 50% off birthday gift from a Spa, Body, Mind & Soul outlet which I used to frequent during my working heydays, so I grabbed it!

History has it that during my previous luxury working days when I could afford to enjoy occasional facials plus yoga classes. Oh yes, did I mention to you that I had quit my very lucrative job just to be a stay at home mom to tutor my younger son who was starting Primary school in 2005? Well let me confess that it was all worth it!

Anyway back to my experience at the spa today - First of all the specialist (Jennice) cleaned my face to determine the condition of my skin. Then she said that I needed to have double face masks as I had too many white and black heads...guess what the first mask that was applied was of a pineapple fragrance while the second was of a mint fragrance. Hum...Yummy, it reminded me of the pineapple coconut and choc mint muffins that I made not too long ago!

So as a bonus i want to share with you one of my favourites; Choc Mint Muffin recipe. Hope you'll enjoy it and also have a glimpse of the heavenly peaceful Spa.

Enjoy!

Sherry

Choc Mint Muffin
225 g self-rising flour 115 g unsalted butter
4 tbsp coco powder 225 g icing sugar
1 tbsp baking powder 1 tsp mint essence
225 g caster sugar Green food colouring
225 g unsalted butter; softened 100 g choc chips
4 eggs
1 tbsp mint essence
100 gm choc chips (optional)

For Icing
115 g unsalted butter, softened
225g icing sugar
1 tsp mint essence
green edible colouring & 100 g chocolate chips

Sieve flour, baking powder and coco powder. Set a side. Beat sugar and butter in a bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Add flour mixture gradually. Stir in mint essence and choc chips.

Spoon mixture using an ice-cream scoop to get even sized muffins and then bake in greased muffin pans for 20 mins. Test for readiness -(when cake prick or toothpick comes out clean from the cooked muffin, then its done.

For icing: Beat the butter and icing sugar in a clean bowl until smooth and creamy. Add just enough green colouring and mint essence. Top it over the cooled muffins. Sprinkle some choco chips...there you have it! The most refreshing and sinful creation for tea or a birthday celebration!

Oh yes my boys lovingly (occational raised voices and all) made this for my birthday on the 10th of Jan! I was honestly touched and it made my day!

Take care