A popular seafood dish "CRAB"

Crab is one of the popular seafood which is liked by many, though there are some who don't consume it, either because they don't like it or some might be having some form of allergy after taking it!

Crab dishes is one of my favourite seafood, but to be frank I prefer having it at home than at some restaurant or food stalls outside as enjoying this dish really needs to make use of our fingers. Having it at home means we can slowly enjoy the dish.

I would like to share this basic simple recipe of my home-cook crab dish with all crab lovers out there. For information, I don't put any specific amount for each ingredients, it all depends on how much each of us need.

Crab in eggs

Ingredients:
Crabs, wash, cut into desired sizes & drain dry on colander
Corn flour
Chopped red onions & garlic (prefer to use more)
Eggs (beat well)
Oil for medium fry (no need for deep fry)
Spring Onions, chopped (Optional)

Seasonings:
Salt
Light Sauce
Msg

Methods:

1. Put an amount of corn flour onto the crabs to lightly coat it, and medium fry in oil until golden brown but not over-cooked. Dish & drain.

2. Heat up oil in kuali and saute chopped red onions & garlic until fragrant. Mix in crabs, seasonings and stir-fry until well mixed.

3. Add in beaten eggs & stir fry well to get the even distribution of eggs all over the dish.

4. Add in chopped spring onions, stir well.
5. Dish up and serve.

Here's wishing you all, happy cooking & enjoyed this simple dish in the comfort of your sweet home........

HOBBIES......... [Part 2]

Like I've mentioned earlier, we (me & hubby) have been collecting Red Packets for nearly 30 years but have them kept in drawer. I have always been wondering????? How to arrange those red packets with so many different sizes???? Putting them in photo albums require so many albums??????

It is only until recently when I come across several of my friends exchanging red packets and I've also decided to share some of mine with them, which makes me realise that it is high time for me to join them. Putting my 'thinking cap' into action isn't very hard after all and with some discussion with my hubby we come up with a very innovative idea of how to file those red packets, not only it's cheaper as compared to the photo albums but most importantly "it's our own idea!"

Here comes some of our collections.........

Dear friends, these pictures uploaded here might seem messy, but it is not such in the actual scenario. After being properly filed in each A4 paper I scan it using Scanner for purpose of uploading it on my Blog as well as Facebook album. If you wanna see the real collection you need to come personally and see it for yourself. "Cheers to all...... :-)

HOBBIES......... [Part 1]

Many, many years ago, during my Primary School days, my teacher's favourite topic for our English essay was "My Hobby". The gist of this topic are at our finger tips as it is not only something which we often write about but it's a topic for us to describe our interests.

During those days hobbies such as Collecting of Stamps, Coins, Key Chains, Marbles & many more, Pen Palling, Requesting, Kites Flying, and so on........ seems to be diminishing in today's hectic, busy, new technological and fast-pace moving world!! "People Changes With Time" happens to be a phrase which best describes the whole scenario!

These one time favourite hobbies or interests can be great things to enjoy (once a while) after our hectic work or school to ease our congested minds which helps to 'de-stress' and 're-charge' our batteries.

However, in today's technological era, the younger generations prefer to enjoy their leisure time playing computer games. Personally, I don't quite agree to too much of a concentration on the computer due to the fact that either at work or studying majority are with the computers, thus too much exposures of the rays as well as too long sitting down will sure generate some form of health problems in the long run.

Both me and my husband have been collecting Red Packets and Key Chains for nearly 30 years, but sad to say that they are just being kept lying in our drawers and box all the while. It is only until recently that I have been influenced by my friends and have decided to bring out our collections, get it sorted and filed.

I will be sharing some of our collections in my next blog, so do watch out!!!

Chicken Dishes, most common in any meals!

Most people are more health conscious these days as compared to the days of our fore-fathers! WHY? If we care to look around us, there seems to be many people suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high uric acid, high sugar level and....... many other 'highs' queuing up in the long list of sicknesses and diseases!!!

However, being self aware of all these problems which will lead to many critical illnesses, there are still many who simply refuse to adhere to their medical practitioners or doctor's advises. I've always heard remarks such as "we must take meat or else no energy to work!" Yes!! I do agree that we all need a balance diet in order to be strong and healthy, but we also need to match the right type of diet to the right person!! Not everyone's diet are the same, say...... a person suffering from diabetes should have a diet that is low in carbohydrates, sugar and others, while those with high cholesterol should have a diet low in red meat, fatty meat, fried foods, etc. So, in a way, each person's diet is based on their individual's health and we simply can't compare one person to another!

As most doctors today encourage people to consume less red meat, I believe that chicken is one of the popular food of all, apart from fish and vegetables off course.

There are many methods of cooking chicken, from a simple steaming method to stir-fry, deep-fry, bake, stew, as an ingredients to a salad dish, and so forth.......

Personally, I always enjoyed cooking chicken as it is easy to move around with it. Here's some of the dishes which are prepared out of 'chicken' from my home kitchen for sharing.......

(1) Steam Chicken (2) Bake Chicken (3) Fried Chicken with Cashews
(4) Curry Chicken with veggies (5) Deep fried Chicken Wings
(6) Swiss Tomato Chicken
(7) Chicken served in western style (8) Stir-fry chicken cubes with cashew nuts

Article for sharing - Are you a good boss? [Final]

Good bosses.....
Balance long- and short-term views

Some issues seem to invoke a short-term response in many managers. But taking the easy way out because it appears to be a chore or a load can be inappropriate or damaging in the long run.

Instead, assess the short- and long-term views together so you don't miss out on possible opportunities.

For example, say you have to appraise all 12 of your team members in one week. With a budget deadline looming, you'd quite likely stress out at the sheer magnitude of work required, and you might choose to fill in the appraisal forms without thinking.

But if you take that extra time and effort to analyse the performance of each individual and discuss their goals, weaknesses and strengths with them, they will value your appraisal of them more. Because of better morale, you team's objectives are also more likely to be achieved in the long run, not to mention their respect you'd have earned.

Good bosses are.....
Not ostriches

Managers sometimes bury their heads in the sand when looking for a way out. But denying a sticky situation by not taking any concrete action often makes the problem worse. Patrick explains, "Often, if you leave a difficult problem alone, it becomes more difficult, not easier, to solve. Rarely, if ever, does it go away."

His advice is to think positive. Good bosses have the courage to fact adversity, unpleasantness and difficult situations head on, to lead their team through a rough patch by example.

So watch for opportunities and develop the habit of tackling any discomfort. Not only do you risk diluting your performance with every delayed, ignored or denied issue, you also risk diluting your professional image.

Article for sharing - Are you a good boss? [Part 2]

Good bosses are.....
Confident
Good bosses are usually confident of their own abilities and this security allows them to stand back and see the broader picture. It also lets them address each situation logically without allowing their emotions to take over.

Confidence can be cultivated and instilled as a habit. Nothing gives more satisfaction than success; if you do well and achieve your goals, then it's easier to continue and do more. Patrick suggests, "Stop feeling inadequate. Nothing boosts confidence more than practical measures such as acquiring the right knowledge, knowing you have an appropriate skill and being well prepared."

For instance, if you and your team have a presentation to make to an important client, you'd do well to prepare yourself and your team members on what the client expects and likes and dislikes. Share your game plan. Capitalise on the strengths of each team member by delegating the right job to the right person, with clear directives and deadlines. Practising your presentation several times over will give you the confidence to speak fluently, which is more likely to impress the client and win over the trust of your team-mates.

Good bosses.....
Accept change

Change is far more helpful to a team's productivity and development than a static environment that remains the same. Patrick advises, "We all like to live within our comfort zone. If someone comes up to us and says, 'we'll have to make some changes around here', we're more likely to get defensive and fight that change. But don't fight change purely for irrational, defensive or emotional reasons. These will only block your logical view which helps you work with change rather than against it."

For example, you might decline to have lunch with new team members at first because you're more comfortable eating alone in your office. But accepting their invitation once or twice a week will make you appear more approachable. You'll also get to know your team better in a more relaxed environment, while they'll respect you for your open-mindedness. Besides, social interaction makes the food taste better!

Article for sharing - Are you a good boss? [Part 1]

Here's an article written by Noella Menon "Are you a good boss?" which I would like to share with everyone out there......... Hope you all enjoy it too!

Are you a good boss?

Learn these good work habits and you'll become a well-respected leader whom people will follow, not merely obey.

It's that old chestnut - good leaders are made, not born. But how exactly does one become a good boss in today's fast-paced workplace? The one key skill that managers often ignore is the ability to handle difficult situations - or what's known in management-speak as the discomfort zone.

To be a great boss in the discomfort zone, you need to look at how you can face these problems head on, take action and improve the result. "All you have to do is inculcate positive habits, "says Patrick Forsyth, a seasoned corporate consultant and bestselling British author of Managing in the Discomfort Zone.

Here are some of his tips to help make you a better manager.

Good bosses are.....
Tolerant

If you want to be a good boss, you need to develop a high tolerance for the realities of life. A good boss knows that if something has to go wrong, it will. So it's fruitless to resent reality, such as when a client is late on his payments or when your subordinate messes up her sales presentation.

"Watch out for perfectionist tendencies," says Patrick. "These can be irreplaceable when attending to detail, but can add on to your frustration when, realistically, nothing will ever be quite the way you want it."

Good bosses deal with difficult situations with a clear, calm mind and a constructive plan. Think through your goals carefully and set a measurable level of quality. For instance, aim to approve five financial reports instead of telling your secretary you'll sign off on everything once they're done.

"To lead people, walk beside them....
As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence.
The next best, the people honor and praise.
The next, the people fear;
and the next, the people hate....
When the best leader's work is done the people say,
"We did it ourselves!"

~ Lao-tsu ~

A great way to start the new month of October!

Today, 1st October is............

It's indeed a great way to start this new month with ***SMILES*** on everyone's bright cheerful faces!!!! As we all know that we are now entering the final quarter of Year 2010, so let us grab whatever opportunities that comes our way so there will be no rooms for regrets.

Once again, keep smiling always and may each day brings forth great hopes, success, peace, love, joys and happiness to our lives. God bless us always and forever!

"SMILES"