Nutritious and Creative in the Kitchen - watch out Julia!

My work start date has been delayed till mid October. I've used some of the remainder of my now very extended holiday (8 months) to up-skill in the areas of Nutrition and Cooking.  I'm really enjoying learning and experimenting creatively, and our local 'Giant' supermarket 'feeds' this new interest very effectively.

Unfortunately for Snowdon, my passion lies more with fruit, vegetables, grains and seeds, than with meat, so he hasn't been quite as excited by my new dishes, although I plan to branch out and treat him a bit more, and fulfill his meal definition of 'it must contain meal to be called a meal', with meatier dishes.  I've begun with the Salmon pictured below.

The national library provided the inspiration with these great books:

•      'You are what you eat cookbook' by Dr Gillian McKeith

'Baked Salmon with Spinach and Leeks' (in our case
broccoli stalks, which very tasty according to Snowdon)'

'Baked Salmon with Spinach and Broccoli' over
'Millet Mash (also starring Broccoli)'

•       'Wonderfoods' by Natalie Savona

I've been the most productive from this book with: Warm Chickpea and Tomato Salad, Frozen Coco Nana Smoothie, and another three which are pictured below.

'Scented Savory Rice', with 'Home-grown Sprouts (Sunflower)'.
Note the token meat dish, tinned rendang, 
in the background (very tasty for a can!).

My favourite so far, 'Carrot and Ginger' soup.

Snowdon trying to look as excited as I was about the yummy soup.
Te he - pretty good effort :)

•       'Eat Well Live Well with High Fibre' by Dr Susanna Holt 

Breakfast Deluxe

Next I'm on to 'The Kitchen Shrink' and 'Eat Well Stay Well'.  I'm feeling good with all the resulting nutrients rushing through my system.  Coupled with all the exercise we're doing, we're well on the way back to optimal health!

Fried Rice Paradise

I sprung out of bed this morning at 6.10am and drafted up some blogs (to follow) but meanwhile I'll report on today...

Earlier this afternoon Snowdon and I took Harold out to the theatre show 'Fried Rice Paradise' (which has been recreated by Singapore Idol star Dick Lee). It was very entertaining, despite  missing many of the local jokes (even Snowdon and Harold missed some due to varying dialects used). During intermission I was such a bad ass that I was kicked out of the theatre.  I was sitting there during intermission happily eating my Mars bar and watching the usher request the big group of school kids in front of us to be quiet when the show begins again. I was smiling away approving of her request, silently agreeing that they should be quiet, when her attention (and of course that of all the school kids in front of her) swings up to me and my Mars bar.  With a big smile she gives me the cut-throat sign, but across her mouth (trying to be subtle I guess)...hmm sign language for umm....(come on Amber get the charade damn it you have the eyes of a school on you...). Oh! No food allowed.  All I could manage is "I can't eat?" and stomped/shuffled down the aisle trying to retain some dignity and get out of the limelight as fast as I could!

I'm getting new appreciation in many areas whilst trying to fit in, in a foreign country again.  I have new empathy for minorities.  Most everywhere I go I'm the only caucasian and hiccups that I'd hardly blink at in NZ, seem amplified by 1 000, because here I'm the different one!

On the way home  we stopped at West Plaza where I had my favourite local dish of Kaya toast with eggs and coffee (with condensed milk yum). Now we're having quiet time at home, while Harold packs for his month long trip to the States.  Snowdon's Uncle Juergen passed away yesterday after an extended battle with lung cancer, and Harold is going to North Carolina to be with his sister Glenna.  Snowdon and I feel really fortunate to have met Juergen before his passing and really feel for Glenna (I know what that's like). Everyone feels glad that Harold will be there with Glenna!! I don't lament for Juergen now though, as his suffering is over and I think he lived a full life :)

In contrast, life shows it's ups and downs, twists and turns, for each of us.  I had a great hour long skype conversation with Dad this morning, and I'm enjoying the last days/weeks (start date still unknown) of my very long and lovely extended honeymoon/holiday.  I plan to continue enjoying it.....