Am trying to decide whether or not I should be listing down my resolutions...seems like every year I don't keep them. Perhaps I shouldn't, so as not to jinx it. But one thing which I've been finally trying to embark on, is to take better care of my health. Cliche as it may sound, health is indeed wealth. These days, diseases are a dime and dozen. I'm not gonna lie to myself as I'm not getting any younger, thus have really got to keep the body in check. Exercise isn't my game these days. really wish to go back to pre-marriage figure, but the mind is strong but the body is weak. Despite having more time during this period, I still prefer to chill or go for a massage. Can't blame me for these. Been waiting for months! But the accumulation of nonsensical feasting is starting to surface. So in an attempt to stop the pulsating pain in my head and the constant nauseous feeling in the gastric area, I'm seeking traditional Chinese medicine help. Not the tastiest thing on earth. Some may even say it's putrid, but as long as it helps, it's worth a try. It's too preliminary to judge if it's working but the western doctors aren't giving me a long-term cure thus I've to seek alternatives. According to the Chinese physician, he says there's loads of "rubbish" in me and that I've got a cold stomach caused by years of crab eating and cold drinks! Found the following on the Internet:
TCM disharmony patterns | Headache manifestations | Therapeutic principles |
Stagnation of liver qi | Distending or pulsating pain on one side of the head, accompanied by emotional depression, chest stuffiness and occasional belching | Soothe the liver, relieve stagnation, regulate qi and stop pain |
Hyperactivity of liver yang | Distending pain in the head, accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, ear ringing, irritability, insomnia, mouth dryness and flushed face | Calm the liver, subdue yang and nourish yin |
Blood stasis obstructing the collaterals | Persistent and steady headaches, pricking or pulsating pain, accompanied by forgetfulness and palpitations | |
Retention of coldness and static fluid | Headaches with cloudiness and heaviness sensations, or feel like a tight band around the head, accompanied by distention in the chest and upper abdomen, nausea or vomiting, excessive sputum, stomach upset that tends to be alleviated by warmth, cold limbs, no appetite and fatigue | Warm the middle burner and restore its normal qi flow, eliminate dampness and resolve phlegm |
Apart from the no appetite bit, I belong to the last category. It's exactly what the Chinese physician said! WOW! Everything is related to my qi not flowing smoothly.
Under his semi-strict supervision, I'm now suppose to to drink only 3 types of beverages: Hot water, Milo kosong (plain without sugar or milk) and Homemade ginger water (no cheating using 3 in 1s). Food wise, needless to say, no crabs which according to him, is the most "Cooling" seafood, no other types of seafood except certain types of fish. NO to certain types of Veg, No to beef, lamb (hate them anyway). Minimal Chicken and pork. NO to coconut products, milk and cold stuff. NO to even Fruits! Go figure! So have I been a good girl? Not entirely. With the many festivities, how can one be good?
Phew am glad that December's not too overwhelming. Can really feel the body recuperating though I still seem to be easily tired out. Well, enough said, this is entry is meant to be a photoblog. A picture speaks a thousand words so here are several thousand words' worth of a quiet but priceless Xmas spent mainly at home.
Am very proud of my Xmas tree. Was so sick of the decorations I had been reusing year after year, thus what better way to spice things up than to get my nimble fingers to do the work.
Origami Mistletoe
Origami Angel!
Met up with the gals on Monday for our yearly Xmas gathering. It's really nice to see everyone again and to be bitching as if no one's next to us. We were so loud with our incessant obscene topics, I swear the waitresses were stifling their giggles.
Christmas eve was really silent. Had to work till 2pm and do grocery shopping. the crowd was amazing! It took an appalling half an hour before I got a parking space! Dinner was at the cousin-in-law's place. a quiet and simple BBQ.
This was one of our favourites!!
Xmas Day. Visually, here are some highlights:
Price of Saffron went up! Damn! Should have bought it last year!
let the battle begin! Started dealing with the first dish: Stuffed Eggs. PAINSTAKING to dig out the yolks!
Smoked salmon
Sweetie lending a helping hand. He was really enjoying it and I really appreciate his help.
The party strength was 12 and there's a reason for those happy faces. Look below!
Pepper squid, Casear's Salad, my specialty clams and Smoked salmon-stuffed eggs
Choo's Ribs
Garlicy Parmesan Baked Mussels. YUMS! But had a hard time selecting bigger mussels from Seng Siong. The big ones were all taken by kiasu Singaporeans!
My first attempt at Paella. I give myself a 8.5!
Swedish meatballs. Ok I cheated. It's from Ikea
Entree: Chicken with apricot brandy sauce
Bacon wrapped scallop. The cute little toothpicks were made by ME!
Turkey-enoki mushroom
The one thing which I can't or rather, not interested in experimenting, is desserts. These brownie popsicles were delectable!
Who could resist Ben & Jerry's?
With Christmas done, we can now look forward to NEW YEAR! :)