Why I Go to Bed Hungry Every Night

I have quite a number of food-related websites for you to feast on for “Wednesday Websites”. Bon Appetit!

Let me set the record straight — I don’t really cook. If you consider boiling spaghetti and then serving it with premade sauce from a jar cooking then, then I do “cook”, but that’s about it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the art of cooking. I love watching cooking shows. Every night before I sleep I tune in to the food channel. It’s my way of relaxing. I love eating too but I prefer desserts and snacks; the main meal, not as much. I derive great pleasure from looking at gorgeous pictures of food (evident from the amount of food books and magazines I buy) and boy do I love food blogs!

Blogs I Visit Every Day Without Fail

Delicious Days by Nicky- The yummiest looking food blog on the net, but I bet you already know that
Nordjlus by Keiko – Inspiring photography and stories

Blogs I Visit Regularly

Foodbeam by Fanny – When I need a sweet fix
Chubby Hubby by Aun – Cooking and dining in Singapore
Kuidaore by Joycelyn – The sugar artisan

Long Service Award

101 Cookbooks by Heidi – A blog I’ve been following since the beginning of time. Ok, since 2003, nevertheless, a very long time in blog-years. Still inspiring as ever.

Recent Favourites

Oswego Tea by Michele – Personal ramblings and a side of food
White On Rice Couple by Diane and Todd- An entertaining and informative food blog
Rasa Malaysia – Blog with a focus on Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine

Other Food-Related Communities and Websites

Tastespotting - Gorgeous visual inspiration.
Open Source Food by Yong Fook – Recipes contributed and rated by fellow food lovers
Chow – Great resource for eating and drinking

All-Time Favourite Website

Martha Stewart Food
I know a lot of you are closet Martha Stewart fans but I’m by far the worst. I’ve only recently contained my addiction to Martha Stewart magazines- Living, Kids AND Food (Please note again, I don’t have kids nor do I cook – I buy the magazines just to look at the pictures!). I am now limiting my MS addiction online.

As I’ve mentioned above, I have a habit of watching cooking shows in bed, right before I sleep. It’s little wonder then I always fall asleep with a rumbling tummy! Here are some of my favourite cooks.

Night Time Treats

The Hilarious Anthony Worrall Thompson (Love his voice!)
The Hypnotic Nigella Lawson
The Inspiring Jamie Oliver
The Intrepid Anthony Bourdain
The Laid-Back Rob Rainford
The Far-Flung Keith Floyd
The Fiery Gordon Ramsey

Have a delicious Wednesday!

Maybe I Should Go Bananas?

On a box of Post Banana Nut Crunch cereal I was eating:

We should all aspire to live like bananas. They are on permanent vacation, living in lush, tropical rainforests.

I didn’t know bananas lead such enviable lives!

Pencil Thief And A Little Faith

I lose a writing instrument every other day. My cat, Moo Moo, has been stealing my pens, pencils and markers. She used to target only thin cylindrical objects but now she’s expanded her collection to include rulers and erasers. She just grabs the items off my hand while I’m writing or drawing and hides them with the rest of her loot under the bed. I think she’s opening a stationery store.

Moving on to a less scheming animal, this video made me cry…

Happiness is a Choice

Hey, listen,

It is not just a consequence of something good.
Your state of mind is yours to determine.

Inspired by Andrew Matthews’ philosophy of Being Happy.

When I’m 64

I was at the supermarket just now when I overheard a couple, probably in their 60s, negotiating (they called other  “Mama” and “Papa”!!!),

“It’s okay, Mama, we’ll just get this one (points to a pack of batteries in their shopping bag). ”

“No, Papa, I’ll get the cheaper one.”

“But Mama, I’m paying for it.”

“That is exactly why I need to get the cheaper one. I don’t want you to spend too much of your money on a pack of batteries. I’d rather you spend it on something else.”

“Oh alright Mama. Wait… does this mean I have to pay for your shopping later?”

They both giggled at each other. They were such a cute couple and so full of love. You know the type — sharing a drink in the park, holding hands till they’re 100.

I left the store feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Inspiration: SARK

Imagine the world in pink, yellow and turquoise where everyone embraces their creative spirit and the right to enjoy life.

The first time I bought a book by SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) was for a friend who had just won a battle against depression. I didn’t even read the book prior to that, I was just drawn to the colourful cover and its promise to uplift your spirit (or something like that) AND most importantly it suited my budget.

A few days later my friend called to say how much she loved the book and how grateful she was that I took the time to pick the perfect book for her. I didn’t tell her the actual reason why I chose the book, but her phone call piqued my interest enough to pick up a book myself. The book was Succulent Wild Woman And it became my first SARK book in many to follow.

SARK has a way of writing that’s magical and thoroughly heartfelt. With her childlike drawing and handwriting (most of the text in her books are handwritten), it feels a like reading a someone’s sketchbook/diary, one who has the ability to inspire you to abandon your inhibitions, free your inner artist and reach for the stars. If you or someone you care about needs a little cheering up, trying reading one of her titles. If the writing doesn’t touch you, at least her drawings will make you smile.