Cooking & FOod: Pasta, Soup, Stir-Fry & Taco Rice

My BFF made me her AWESOME pasta...love it but can't eat it too often soo fattening but soo GOOD

My 2 simple go-to-foods during the week...soup & stir-fry

To make the soup you will need:
-water
-chicken bouillon powder
-oyster sauce
-sesame oil
-salt, sugar & ground pepper
-any vegetable that you want I usually add shanghai bok choy & green onions
-kimchi (optional)

1. put water, chicken bouillon powder, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, sugar & ground pepper into a pot and let it boil on high heat. (there is no set amount to put in, just to your taste)
2. when it is boiled, test the broth to see if you like it. If not just add more of any of the ingredients until it is the way you like it. Then add vegetables & let it cook for a few minutes. I usually add green onions after turning off the stove. For the kimchi I place it at the bottom of the bowl & pour the soup in.

 For the stir-fry you will need:
-beef or any type of meat you want
-sesame seeds
-2 tbsp vegetable oil
-2 garlic cloves
-2 cm piece ginger
-any vegetables that you want
-2 tbsp oyster sauce
-2 tbsp fish sauce
-3 tsp sugar
-kimchi (optional)

1. combine beef & sesame in a bowl, toss to coat.
2. heat wok over medium heat & add 1 tbsp of the vegetable oil & then add the beef. Stir fry until brown & remove to a plate.
3. add the remaining vegetable oil, garlic & ginger to wok and stir until aromatic.
4. add the vegetables and stir fry until tender.
5. combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce & sugar together in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then add to wok.
6. return the beef to wok and stir fry until beef is heated through
7. serve it with rice or/with some kimchi on top or/with a sprinkle of sesame seeds

I got this recipe for Taco Rice from Nana site NANARABU. It was ok, something very simple & easy to make & you get all 4 food groups...grain - rice, vegetables, dairy - cheese & meat - ground beef.

can't have all that fOod without some dessert...so some random pictures of some sugar goodness (mostly)  (^_^)

from left to right top to bottom: sugar heart cookies I made last year,  mini cupcake,

piggy shaped bun (didn't taste good at all but soo cute), egg tart,

gummy bears, chocolate ice cream bar 

Recent Purchase - Revlon Lip Butter, Screen Guard & Got2B

Finally got the most raved and talked about Revlon Lip Butter. I got it on sale for $8.96 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart. I still find it expensive but it's the cheapest price right now. So far I like it but only problem is the color "sweet tart" is a lot brighter then I thought it would be on my lips. If you want a more in dept review and more swatches visit Jen's site at From Head To Toe. I think I would purchase more colors but I will wait until it goes on sale some more.

I purchased 2 screen protector or screen guards for my Kobo e-reader. I paid about $7.89 CAD for 2 of them on eBay. 1 is for myself & the other one is for my friend. I also purchased Got2B Instant infusion Collagen Root-Boosting Spray after reading about it on BubzBeauty. I got it on sale at London Drugs for $4.47 CAD. I think it is working but I am not sure since I have just started blow drying my hair after washing it...before I just let it air dry...so I don't know if my hair has more volume because of that or because of the spray. Will need to do some testing.

Cooking - Chicken Stir-Fry with Salsa

Tried out a new recipe on the weekend again from the "Prevention Guide 30-Minute Chicken Dinner" This time Chicken Stir-Fry with Salsa. It was ok, a very light & healthy meal.

here is what you will need:
-1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips
-1/2 onion, thinly sliced
-1 garlic clove, minced
-1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
-1 cup broccoli
-1 cup of salsa or more depending on your taste I put in more because it didn't have enough taste to it

1. coat large pan with cooking spray or oil and set over medium heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently until no longer pink. Remove to plate.
2. cook onion, garlic, bell pepper & broccoli in the same pan until crisp-tender  about 5 mins. Return chicken to pan and add salsa and stir to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 mins. Then add salt & pepper to taste.

New Hair Color & Random Stuff

I wasn't happy with my hair color, so my BFF helped me dye my hair again. So out with Auburn Red Light Chestnut and in with Dark Mahogany Brown (^_^) The L'oreal Preference hair dye worked pretty well, pretty true to color.

color looks a lot brighter because I used flash

I went to Chinatown this weekend to pick up more herbs for the Liang Cha, it's working for me. My skin isn't 100% clear but it is getting better and no new break outs (^_^) I picked up 20 bags this time because I don't want to keep on going back. Also well I was there I picked up some more dried fruits. I have also been interested in frozen grapes. First time I ever tried it was at a restaurant. I think this will be a really good snack during summer....very cooling.

It snowed a little today but like typical weather here it is all gone now

Fairmont Hotel - Afternoon Tea

Last Spring my BFF & I went to the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in downtown Vancouver for Afternoon Tea. The food was pretty but taste was only ok. The service was ok, it kind of took awhile for our food to come but it was busy so to be expected. Afternoon Tea is located in the lobby lounge area of the Fairmont Hotel so not sure if I liked that so much but the interior was nice & bright. The price is expensive I think it was around $35 + tax & tip per a person. I don't think I will be coming back here for Afternoon Tea but I would love to try other places.

       Food: 3/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 2/5 

get to pick your tea from the box we ordered Flowery Earl Grey & Organic Pear Tree Green

from left to right top to bottom: 2 tiers top dessert bottom savory, 

scones with jam & fresh fruits (my favorite out of everything), mini muffin, macaroon,

chicken tandoori with fresh mango salad sandwich, crab cucumber roll, prawn open face sandwich, chocolate circle, tofu miso nigiri, matcha cake, fruit tart

WorkPlace

These are all pictures of what I can see close by my workplace. I am so lucky to be close by the water, there is a park, a market & good viewpoints. I am looking forward to taking more pictures and exploring when the weather is nicer (^_^)

seaport & train station views from bridge to seabus, seabus
park across the street, 1 of many stairs going up to my workplace

crossing the bridge to the park, my aldo shoes ^_^

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park & Lonsdale Quay Market

also there is a mini Japanese garden by the park

My Addiction - Peanut Butter

Lately this is what I have been craving and I have been addicted to Peanut Butter (^_^) my friend suggest me to add some honey to it...it has calcium which will help nail growth...taste good with honey

but I try to eat health too by eating more fruits. I try to have an apple & orange for lunch everyday. And for dinner more fruit.

My BFF was craving ice cream so she bought some ice cream cookie sandwiches from Extra Foods.They were only ok, I like the Nestle ice cream sandwiches better but as of right now not really craving it...maybe next time (^_^)

Cooking - Chicken Wrap & Japanese Curry

Yesterday I did a bit of cooking, I don't cook everyday especially not often during the week because after work I'm hungry so I usually just wipe up something  quickly which most of the time would be soup with vegetables. Yesterday I was feeling a little down so I cooked. For lunch I made chicken wrap which I got the recipe from "Prevention Guide Magazine 30-Minute Chicken Dinners" but I modified it a little

here is what you will need:
-2 tbsp butter or margarine
-4 tbsp of chili sauce or more depending on hot you like it
-2 chicken breast cut into strips
-spinach
-tomato
-avocado
-whole grain tortillas
-salsa

1. melt the butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat add the chile sauce then add the chicken. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer, stirring it occasionally until chicken is no longer pink.
2.  since I don't like raw spinach I boiled it. so boil some water and add the spinach, then drain and pour a little bit of sesame oil on it if you like
3. cut the tomato and avocado
4. wrap into tortillas

A good health light lunch. I ate 4 of them and had some left over for lunch today.

for dinner I made Japanese curry
-any type of meat you want I prefer beef
-any type of vegetables you want this time I used cauliflower, tomato, onion, potato, zucchini & carrots
-Japanese curry pack
-water (will tell you on package how much you need to add in)

I following these instructions on youtube for making the curry

I good hardy dinner...I love Japanese curry ^_^ funny that my friend was craving this too. I don't consider myself a excellent cook because I definitely am not..I follow recipes but cooking can be fun and yummy in the end.

Recent Purchase - E.L.F

I received my E.L.F order today (^_^) here is what I ordered:
-small angled brush $3 USD for my friend
-lash & eyebrow comb $3 USD
-Studio Matte Lipstick in Rich Red, Natural, Tea Rose, Coral & Praline $3 USD each
-Studio Lip Balm SPF 15 in Rose, Pink & Peach $3 USD each

from left to right top to bottom: lip balm - Rose / Pink / Peach
Lipstick - Rich Red / Natural / Tea Rose / Coral / Praline

The brushes are pretty good especially for only $3 USD each. For the Studio Matte Lipstick I was disappointed since only the Rich Red shows up on my lips (>_<) the other colors either don't show up or don't look good on me. The lipstick is matte so it is very drying so you will need to put something moisturizing underneath or something on top. The Studio Lip Balm SPF 15 has only a tint of color, it is more moisturizing then the lipstick but I still needed to add vaseline or another balm to keep my lips from being dry. But my BFF has no problem with this and she finds it moisturizing, so I guess it depends on your lips. Will I repurchase again probably not because not enough variety of colors that suit me & not moistruizing enough for me but for $3 USD it was worth a try.

Suki Sushi Japanese Restaurant

On Friday Mama Gen came to have lunch with me. We were in a rush since I only had about 1/2 hr left for lunch so we went to Suki Sushi Japanese Restaurant located in North Vancouver in Lonsdale market. We both got a bento, for Mama Gen salmon and for me teriyaki beef bento. The food was good, I think this is one of those rare cases were a Japanese restaurant is own by Japanese people. The service was only ok, I had to call the waitress over but the food came quickly which was good since we were in a rush. The interior is nice, I like the little details they had in the restaurant. The price was high for the amount of food we got, so in the end we don't think it was worth it but the price is to be expected since we were in the tourist area.

       Food: 4/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 3/5

Recent Purchase - Makeup & Skin Care

Today I went to pick up my 2 orders one from Colourmix & another from Sasa.

From Colourmix
-Naruko Magnolia Brightening & Firming Night Eye Gelly
-Naruko Magnolia Brightening & Firming Night Gelly
-2 Lioele All In One Gel Eyeliners in black
-Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Serum
-Vitocreme B12 cream read about this a long time ago finally ordered it to try out but wouldn't be for awhile since I still have a lot of other products to try out still
-Lioele AC Control Trouble Patch read a good review on Inside Out Elle

From Sasa
-2 Koji Dolly Wink Volume Mascara in black
-Hadatuko Face Gel Cream came free with my purchase since I paid via paypal

I am loving the Lioele All In One Gel Eyeliners so far, very easy to apply unlike liquid which you have to wait for it to dry or it will smug. I still need to practice applying it ^_^ It comes with a brush so I don't need to buy one. I still need to test out the wearability of it. My problem with both pencil & liquid is that it doesn't stay on my eyes, I have very oily eyelids. So hopefully this will stay on my eyes and my search for a good eyeliner will be over. I am also loving the Koji Dolly Wink Volume Mascara. I have the lengthening mascara but the volume ones seems to pop out more to me even though my BFF sees no difference. The only drawback is that the volume mascara takes a lot more effort to take off unlike the lengthening one. But I still like them both.

Beautiful BC - Mount Seymour

Mount Seymour another one of my favorite parks, again you will need a car to get there. The view is amazing and beautiful, kind of felt like you are on top of the world (if you climb the highest point that is). First time I went I loved it, second time I went was for my birthday in May back in 2010. On that day snow was covering the whole area but we still decided to continue which I am happy we did because it was sooo AWESOME. It was a sunny, warm and even though there was snow on the ground and I wasn't wearing winter boots my feet weren't freezing at all and my friend wore shorts and she was ok too. I had a really good birthday that year (^_^) I would love to go back again.

 Pictures taken in fall 2006 with Nikon Coolpix P4

Pictures taken in spring 2010 with Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

Recent Purchase - Kobo, Super Mild & Fish Body Oil

I recently got an Kobo e-reader it was on sale at Chapters for $119 + tax and a case for it. I splurged on the case $40 + tax but it was the only one that I saw that I liked and no nice ones on eBay either and such a pretty shade of red (^_^) I am loving my Kobo, it has been entertaining me through my hour & 1/2 ride to work and home. Also when I am at work, when I have nothing to do (which happens a lot >_<) I love the little Kobo sleepy face that comes on when it is in sleep mode....sooo cute

I really wanted to try out the Shiseido Super Mild shampoo & conditioner. So I went to my local T&T Asian supermarket to get it and I was so lucky it was on sale for $10.99 + tax each. This was my first time spending so much on shampoo & conditioner. I have used it a few times since then and I like it. It doesn't leave my hair oily after 1 whole day like my last shampoo & conditioner.

My friend bought some Fish Body Oil which is good for your skin and also provides you with Omega 3 which is also good for you. I am getting into taking more vitamins and supplements now since I am not getting enough of it in my diet. We all need to take care of ourselves (^_^)

Sweet Revenge Again & Yan's Garden

Also on the weekend my BFF & I went back to Sweet Revenge again but this time we invited some of our friends to join us. I was a little disappointed with my Chocolate Mousse Cake that I ordered. I thought it came in a glass cup, I think what I saw last time was the hot chocolate but the cake was still good....just not what I was expecting. We had a good time and enjoyed our desserts.

From left to right top to bottom: Earl Grey Tea, Euro Hot Chocolate, Sangria, Apple Pie, Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake, Zuccotto, Chocolate Mousse Cake

I also joined some of my friends for dim sum at Yan's Garden Chinese Restaurant in Burnaby. The food was only ok. Service was good but don't plan to sit and chat after eating, it gets busy so they want you to leave so waiting customers can have the table but they are not rude about it they nicely ask you. The ambiance is your typical Chinese restaurant. Not sure about price since a friend paid for the whole meal. Probably will not be going back or at least not a restaurant I would suggest to go for dim sum.

    Food: 3/5             Service: 5/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: N/A

Beauty & the Beast Showtime

On the weekend it was Beauty & the Beast time (^_^) The show was AWESOME!!! so if you have a change definitely go watch it. The only drawback was that we got crappy seats, behind tall people and we were at the side (>_<) But other then that we enjoyed the show. We got slices of pizza on are way home. The pizza was expensive $2 a slice & not that great tasting but we were hungry.

Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to everybody. I made some goodie bags for 3 of my close friends...my BFF, Mama Gen & Jess (^_^)

Valentine Gift

Mama Gen (my nickname for one of my very good friends) gave me a early valentine day gift....homemade yummy sugar cookies, Lindor chocolate, cute Hello Kitty pencil & card (^_^) she is soo sweet...Love u ♥♥

David Choi Concert

On Thursday I went to see David Choi in concert, my BFF accompanied me even though she had no idea who he is...thanks (^_^) It was an awesome show. He is a good singer & a good entertainer. He knows how to talk to the audience & keep them entertained which is a very good thing. This is my second time attending his concert. Last time it was at a club which restricted 19 & under from attending, this time it was at a theatre for all ages. His opening performers were soo much better then last time, a band called New Heights. After the show there was a meet & greet, my BFF & I stood in line for over an hour & a half to get a picture taken with David & the lead singer of New Heights...we didn't get home until 1am but it was fun (^_^)

Makeup & Energy Candy

So I attempted to do my makeup following this tutorial by Jenn from clothesencounters it looks ok up close but I didn't like it all together on my face, so in the end I wiped it all off. Was told I need to practice more. Maybe makeup isn't for me I always feel wired in it. The only makeup I put on now is concealer and mascara. Or maybe I just need to get use to it and take baby-steps. It did take me a while to get use to wearing mascara.

products I used: Urban Decay Naked Palette, Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner, 
Ever Bilen Eyebrow Pencil, Dolly Wink Long Mascara & Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

My friend gave me two packs of "organic energy chews" which you are suppose to eat before you do any activity. They taste pretty good, so I actually finished both packs without doing any kind of activity (>_<)oh...well...she said I could eat them (^_^)