“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” - Brad Paisley

As the New Year dawns,

I hope it is filled with the

promises of a brighter tomorrow.

May your New Year flourish with new discoveries,

wonderful inspirations, and happiness to fill your heart.

My best wishes for you,

Great start for Jan,

Love for Feb,

peace for March,

No worries for April,

fun for May,

Joy for June to Nov,

Happiness for Dec.

Have a lucky and wonderful 2016!!

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Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving your message or comment at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :) 

Healthy Chicken and Egg Salad for Lunch

As 2015 comes to a close, I have made a resolution to eat healthy in the coming year. Though I don't know how long I will be able to follow this, I am trying my best.

 I guess my body needs it, given the fact that my physical activity is limited. I am mostly at my desktop in office through the day and by the time I reach home, I am almost drained out to take up any exercise. I have made a promise to myself to make some easy changes to my daily routine.

Being an extremely fussy eater, it is extremely important for my food to taste good. I am a hardcore non-vegetarian and have always disliked vegetables. But I have realized that I can't ignore vegetables if I want to eat right.

Therefore, I thought of this recipe. It was an amateur experiment which turned out pretty well.The idea of it was simple and borrowed from a scrambled egg recipe. I tossed shredded chicken, scrambled eggs and lots of vegetables with garlic,onions and tomatoes to make this healthy salad. Loaded with prteins, it keeps you full for a long time.

Healthy Chicken and Egg Salad

Lets take a look:

Ingredients:

1. 250 gms boiled chicken

2. 1 egg 

3. Chopped carrots

4. Chopped beans

5. Chopped capsicum

6. Chopped tomatoes

7. Diced Onion

8. Chopped Garlic

9. Oregano or any other herb

10. Green chillies

11. Chopped Coriander

12. Salt to Taste

13. 2tsp soya sauce

Method:

1. Pressure cook chicken for around 10mins. I used chicken with bones so that the broth can be used to make chicken soup

2. Once the chicken cools down, shred the chicken and keep aside

3. In a non stick pan, add about 1tsp of oil and stir fry the garlic, diced onions and capsicum. You may add bell peppers as well

4. Once the onions and the garlic turns pinkish brwn, add the chopped vegetables and stir fry. You can add as many vegetables as you wish

5. Add the shredded chicken and mix well

6. Use herbs as required at this phase. Add in salt and pepper as well along with soya sauce

7. I added scrambled eggs to this as well to make it a more wholesome meal. You might add only egg white as well.

8.Add chopped coriander leaves and green chillies 

Seve hot. :)

Sending warm wishes to you and your family during this Christmas Season. May your home be blessed with love and happiness.

Whatever is beautiful. Whatever is meaningful. Whatever brings you happiness. May it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year. 

May you experience lots of love, laughter and joy this Christmas and beyond and a very Happy New Year too. 

Here’s to hoping the Christmas season fills your home with the warmth and joyfulness that you and your family deserve.

Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes. In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.

To receive new updates, do LIKE SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. 

Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving your message or comment at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :) 

Happy Winter Solstice 冬至节快乐 and Tang Yuan 汤圆 (Chinese Glutinous Rice Balls) in Sweet Fragrant Osmanthus Lemongrass Pandan Sweet Soup

First of all, HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE/Dongzhi Festival (冬至节快乐) to all Chinese who are celebrating this meaningful festival.  This  year, Dongzhi Festival falls on 22nd December. Traditionally, Winter Solstice is also a time for the family to get together.  During this festival, making and eating tang yuan 汤圆 (glutinous rice balls) symbolize reunion and its sweet syrup symbolizes prosperity.  In China, Dongzhi was originally celebrated as an end-of-harvest festival.  

According to Wikipedia, Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬 至; pinyin: Dōngzhì; literally: "the extreme of Winter") is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time). In 2015, the festival falls on Tuesday, December 22.

The origins of this festival can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. After this celebration, there will be days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in. The philosophical significance of this is symbolized by the I Ching hexagram fù (復, "Returning").

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get-togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large tangyuan in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice (and often also Sweet Osmanthus flowers), called jiuniang.

In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on Dongzhi. It is said to have originated from Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. On one cold winter day, he saw the poor suffering from chilblains on their ears. Feeling sympathetic, he ordered his apprentices to make dumplings with lamb and other ingredients, and distribute them among the poor to keep them warm, to keep their ears from getting chilblains. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears, Zhang named the dish "qùhán jiāoěr tāng" (祛寒嬌耳湯) or dumpling soup that expels the cold. From that time on, it has been a tradition to eat dumplings on the day of Dongzhi.

Old traditions also require people with the same surname or from the same clan to gather at their ancestral temples to worship on this day. There is always a grand reunion dinner following the sacrificial ceremony.

The festive food is also a reminder that celebrators are now a year older and should behave better in the coming year. Even today, many Chinese around the world, especially the elderly, still insist that one is "a year older" right after the Dongzhi celebration instead of waiting for the lunar new year.

To Taiwanese people, the festival in winter also plays a very important role. It is also a tradition for Taiwanese to eat tangyuan on this day. They also use the festive food as an offering dish to worship the ancestors.

In an interesting twist, in accordance with ancient Taiwanese history, many people take some of the tangyuan that have been used as offerings and stick them on the back of the door or on windows and tables and chairs. These "empowered" tangyuan supposedly serve as protective talismans to keep evil spirits from coming close to children.

In addition to following some of the customs practiced in China, the people of Taiwan have their own unique custom of offering nine-layer cakes as a ceremonial sacrifice to worship their ancestors. These cakes are made using glutinous rice flour in the shape of a chicken, duck, tortoise, pig, cow, or sheep, and then steamed in different layers of a pot. These animals all signify auspiciousness in Chinese tradition.

Another interesting custom in Taiwan is that many people take invigorating tonic foods during this particular winter festival. To the Taiwanese, winter is a time when most physical activities should be limited and you should eat well to nourish your body. This practice follows the habits shown by many animals which follow the law of nature and hibernate throughout winter months to rejuvenate and to preserve life. In order to fight cold temperatures, it is necessary to eat more fatty and meaty foods during winter when your body can better absorb the rich and nutritional foods at this time due to a slower metabolic rate.

Since Dongzhi is the "Extreme of Winter", Taiwanese regard it as the best time of the year to take tonic foods. Some of the most widely popular winter tonic foods enjoyed by Taiwanese to fight cold and strengthen the body's resistance are mutton hot pot and ginger duck hot pot. Other foods like chicken, pork, and abalone are also common materials used in making tonic foods with nurturing herbs such as ginseng, deer horn, and the fungus cordyceps.

This year, I decided to make a different syrup.  Instead of the usual pandan and ginger syrup, I added lemongrass and osmanthus 桂花 as well.  Well, it tasted much much better and is also healthier, right?  As for the tang yuan, besides sweet potato, I also have green tea powder for the green color instead of the usual pandan colour too!  Hehehe...

Ingredients :
Sweet Potatoes Tang Yuan :
- 100g glutinous rice flour
- 150g orange sweet potato (steamed and mashed)
- 1tbsp cornstach
- 1/4 cup warm water

Method :

1) Mix the above ingredients and knead until a smooth dough is formed.

2) Divide the dough into several pieces and roll into small balls. I have various sizes!

3) Cook the glutinous rice balls in a pot of boiling water. Stir gently to prevent the rice balls to stick at the bottom. Please take note that when the rice balls float to surface, it is cooked.

4) Transfer the cooked tang yuan to a pot of cold water and drain.

5) Serve tang yuan in a bowl with your favorite syrup or sweet soup.

Step by step pictures of cooking the tang yuan

Sweet Soup/Syrup : to taste (no exact measurement)

- 2.5litre water
- 10 pandan leaves
- 10 lemongrass/serai (slit and crushed)
- 2 big thumbsized ginger (crushed)
- 2 bar of brown cane sugar
- some dried osmanthus

Method :
1) Put everything in a large pot and boil. I slow boiled for around half an hour as I love the fragrant of the ginger and lemongrass in the syrup. Mine is more towards like sweet soup dessert (tongsui) instead of syrup. You can adjust according to your preference.

Making tang yuan is very easy as you can 'mix and match' the ingredients to your liking

As for the sweet soup or syrup, you too can 'mix and match'' whatever that fancies you

Isn't it simply easy yet mouth-watering??

Happy Winter Solstice 冬至节快乐 to all my dear readers 

To receive new updates, do LIKE SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. 

Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving your message or comment at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :)

Winter Essentials : Himalaya Herbal's new range of premium creams

Himalaya Herbals has come up with a new range of premium skincare products. The range includes the following:

• Himalaya Anti-Wrinkle Cream
• Himalaya Oil Free Radiance Gel Cream
• Himalaya Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream
• Himalaya Revitalising Night Cream

With winters around the corner, my skin has a tendency to become extremely dry and flaky. Himalaya Herbals has been a trusted brand in personal care using natural and safe ingredients. I am excited to try out the new range of creams especially the Night Cream and the day cream this winter.

Here's a first look at the products and what the brand claims for each of them:

Himalaya Anti-Wrinkle Cream | Reduces wrinkles, fine lines and age spots

 

Himalaya Anti-Wrinkle Cream gives the perfect solution for younger looking skin. The cream deeply penetrates skin and provides 3 essential benefits to keep worry lines away. It is enriched with natural extracts - Aloe Vera and Grapes which help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, moisturising skin and reducing age spots

The product is Fortified with natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and  Grapes.

Himalaya Anti-Wrinkle Cream  is priced at Rs 250 for a 50g pack. 

Himalaya Oil-Free Radiance Gel Cream | Gently hydrates. Oil-free glow

 

Himalaya Oil Free Radiance Gel Cream

Himalaya Oil-Free Radiance Gel Cream gently hydrates the skin to give an oil-free radiant glow. It is a light, gel textured cream enriched with special herbs that provide 3 essential benefits of hydration, skin radiance and quick absorption.

It is enriched with Barbary fig and Winter Melon keeps skin moisturized, healthy, protected and rejuvenated.

Himalaya Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream | Lightens skin tone. With UV protection

Himalaya Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream

Himalaya Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream gives a radiant glow and brighter skin tone. It is a light and non-greasy day cream enriched with unique herbal extracts.

Enriched with Licorice and White Dammer, it ensures 3 effective actions of hydration, lightening and clear complexion.

Licorice is a known for fading the dark spots and blemishes. It is a natural source which Inhibits melanin synthesis and gives brighter complexion. Whereas, White Dammer exhibits anti-oxidant properties and helps reduce mild pigmentation and spots resulting in even skin tone.

Himalaya Revitalising Night Cream | Restores moisture balance, nourishes and repair

Himalaya Revitalizing Night Cream

Himalaya Herbals Revitalizing Night Cream is a deep penetrating, luxurious cream that works overnight with the natural renewal cycle of skin. It provides essential benefits from ingredients sourced naturally, that leave the skin soft, supple and rejuvenated.

White lily is rich in antioxidants and helps in neutralizing free radicals and Repairs daily damage. Tomato is known for its rich ingredients of flavonoids and AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and helps in cell renewal.

All the products mentioned above except the Night Cream is prices at Rs.250 for a 50g pack. The night cream is priced at Rs. 200 for a 50g jar. 

They are available at most retail outlets in your city and online at http://himalayawellness.com/

My first Impression:

• I liked all the products especially the Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream and the Revitalizing Night Cream
• The creams are light and non sticky; they feel extremely light on the skin
• They keep my skin hydrated for a long time even though its winter and my skin gets extremely dry during this time
• I wish the brand had provided a spatula along with the packs as they are more hygeinic
• Like most creams, they also come in glass jars, which is a little difficult to carry while travelling.

Overall, I liked the products :) I would recommend that you should try out these products once. Do share your feedback as well :)