Angel Food Cake Recipe

As mentioned in my Blog yesterday on "25 slim eating tips", here's the cake recipe for the 14th tips......... Ought to give it a try one day. Happy baking friends.........

Angel Food Cake

1 cup sifted cake flour
1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar
1 1/2 cup egg whites (from 10 to 12 large eggs; room temperature)
1 1/2 tsps. cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup caster sugar

Sift flour and icing sugar together. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and vanilla with an electric mixer till soft peaks form (tips curl). Add 2 tbsps of caster sugar at a time and continue mixing till stiff peaks form. Fold in icing sugar mix, a quarter cup at a time, with a wooden spoon. Pour into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 40 minutes in a 180 degree celcius oven. Cake is done when the top springs back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and immediately invert the pan for it to cool (cake still inside). Serve with fruit cocktail or strawberry preserves.

25 Slim Eating Tips

This article is meant for those who haven't got the opportunity to read it in a local magazine. These tips are said to work and are easy to do - making the right food choices can help you lost those unwanted inches for good! So, lets put these simple tips into practice and see what a little effort on your part can do for a lifetime! I also believe that not everyone can follow all of these tips as a whole, but let's just try to go for those which are best suited to each of us individuals...........

Here comes the 25 slim eating tips.........

1. Never grocery shop on an empty stomach. You'll be tempted to buy foods you don't need because everything books delicious. If you don't have time for a proper meal before hitting the supermarket, eat a piece of fruit and drink a large glass of water.
2. Write out a shopping list of foods for the particular meals you have planned. This will help you go directly to the aisles you need to go to, instead of aimlessly venturing around, which may make you more prone to pick items you don't need.
3. Buy tuna or other canned fish packed in water rather than oil. Choose fresh fruit over canned fruit in heavy syrup, as the sugar adds empty calories.
4. Choose low-fat or skimmed dairy products. You'll get the same amount of calcium and protein as full cream, but with considerably less fat and cholesterol.
5. Compare the nutrition value of different brands by reading the food label on the packages. More than 3g of total fat for every 100 calories is considered high-fat. Saturated fat should be less than 1g for every 100 calories.
6. Fill an attractive bowl or basket with fruits that don't need to be cut to eat - pears, plums, apples, bananas, grapes, etc. They not only make an attractive centrepiece on your dining table but they're also a good way to make sure you eat fruit daily.
7. Leave the salt shaker in the kitchen. This will stop you from mindlessly adding more salt to your meal when at the table.
8. Trim off all visible fat from meat and remove skin from poultry. Too lazy to do it yourself? Ask your butcher at the market to do it for you. They'll definitely oblige.
9. Don't feel guilty about not finishing your food once you're full. Serve yourself a little at a time, adding more if you feel you need it.
10. Experiment with different ways of cooking, such as grilling, roasting, stewing, steaming or boiling. The less oil you use the better!
11. Appetiser foods are notoriously drenched in oil. Try this: Shell medium-sized prawns (leave the tail) and steam until cooked. Serve with a zesty dip, such as Thai Cili or Lemon Sauce.
12. Include high-fibre foods at every meal to keep you full. Choose from whole wheat breads, crackers, brown rice, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Throw in a handful of beans into your curries, stir-fries, stews and soups.
13. Cut out even more fat from soups, stews and curries by refrigerating them, and then removing the layer of congealed fat at the top before reheating.
14. Have your cake and eat it too! Here's a recipe for a yummy low-calorie, fat-free cake: [Sorry...... I'll put up the recipe in my next blog]
15. Recreate the flavour of deep-fried foods by coating chicken/seafood with breadcrumbs (seasoned with pepper, salt and spices). Place on a baking tray and pop it into the oven (180 degree celcius for at least 10 mins) until meat is well browned.
16. Nifty substitutions can dramatically reduce the fat and cholesterol content of your cake recipes, without comprising on taste: (a) 1 whole egg = 2 egg whites (b) 1 cup whole milk = 1 cup low-fat/skimmed milk (c) 1 cup sour cream or buttermilk = 1 cup low-fat plain yoghurt
17. You don't need butter to make rich, moist cakes. The secret lies in fruits. Substitute the butter in your recipe with any one of these: 1 cup butter/margarine = 1 cup apple sauce/mashed bananas/pureed prunes. (To make pureed prunes, blend pitted prunes until fine.)
18. Concoct your own high-fibre energy snack by combining a cup of whole wheat breakfast cereal, half cup nuts, half cup sunflower seeds, half cup raisins and half cup dried apricots. Keep in a jar at the office or in a Ziploc bag to stash in your handbag.
19. Never go to a buffet party famished. Have a light, healthy snack before going. When you get there, fix yourself a small plate and do your socialising away from the food table.
20. Too exhausted to cook? Don't succumb to filling your hunger with junky snack foods as you flop in front of the TV. Keep canned foods and frozen mixed vegetables handy as they can be made into a complete meal in a jiffy. While the rice is cooking, saute sliced onions in a skillet. Add a can of sardines and some drained pineapple cubes for a zesty sweet and sour flavour. Stir-fry frozen mixed vegetables with button mushrooms - and voila, a complete, nutritious meal in under 20 minutes!
21. Eat a light breakfast before going to work. You won't be tempted to buy nasi lemak or head down to the mamak stall for a roti canai near the office. Breakfast needn't be elaborate -- 2 slices of toast with jam/cheese, 1 small bowl of cereal with milk or a carton of fruit yoghurt. If you're rushing out the door, grab 2 slices of bread or some Digestive biscuits and a small packet of low-fat milk to eat on the go.
22. Don't drive yourself nuts by weighing yourself everyday. Body weight fluctuates between 1 to 2 kilos throughout the day. You may be heavier several days before your period due to water retention. Experts recommend you weigh in once a fortnight -- without any clothes, first thing in the morning after using the bathroom before breakfast.
23. Walk whenever you can. Park your car a little further from your destination or take the stairs instead of the lift. Have a business meeting to attend? Take a five-minute brisk walk around the office block of the person you're scheduled to meet. By the end of the day, after seeing about six clients, you would have completed a 30-minute workout.
24. Doing housework is a great way to burn off calories. An average-sized woman can burn about 200 calories just by doing household chores with a little vigour. So, the next time someone asks you if you exercised today, you can smugly say, 'Yes! And I cleaned the house, too. What about you?"
25. Being dehydrated is an energy-zapper. Make sure you drink at least 2 litres of water each day. Keep bottled water handy - in the car, on your office desk and your bedside table. Drink a large glass of water before a meal to fill you up. Water has zero calories.
    

Useful Tips for sharing........

The kind of fat to avoid

Think before you add the margarine! Harvard researchers found that women who consume an average of 4g of trans fat a day had a heart attack risk that was three times higher than those who have 2.6g. Trans fat hurts the heart as it boosts bad LDL cholesterol.

Sweet Satisfaction

When you're haunted by a food craving, try sitting it out for 15 minutes. If you're still tormented after that, give in - deprivation only intensifies your craving. So if you want chocolate, have a little. And instead of a calorie-laden bar, try a Hershey's Kiss at only 25 calories.

For sharper scissors

Are your scissors beginning to lost its sharpness? The usual practice is to rub the cutting edge with sandpaper. But if you don't have sandpaper at home, you can just get aluminium foil. Stack three pieces of foil on top of the other and cut them a few times with the scissors. It will be ready to use for your next project

Well Done, to all the Physiotherapists!

Today is an important day for all Physiotherapists, as it is International Physiotheraphy Day!! Like many other professions, Physiotherapists plays an important role in helping the unfortunate to regain their physical health.

The World Physiotherapists Day was designated in 1951 by the world confederation for Physical Therapy.

I really appreciate all Physiotherapists for their great and unending efforts, most importantly their patience in assisting the unfortunate to improve and heal those who are in need of their professional skills.

I am able to express my real, true feelings for them as I've ever experienced accompanying a member of my family for this Physical Therapy Treatment. If you are interested to know about this blog of mine, please do not hesitate to refer to my blog dated 2nd March 2008 entitled "The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live".

To all the Physiotherapist throughout this whole wide world "Thumbs Up to you all and may today be a special day in honour of all the great people - The Physiotherapists!"

A Special Day For "Working Mothers"

In the olden days, males were expected to grow up to be breadwinners, prosper in their work, and, if circumstances allowed, take part in community affairs. By contrast, females were expected to take subordinate roles.

However, so much have changed in this century, and many women are now seen to be at par with men. In the home, for example, it will not only become the women's responsibility but a partnership. Then a women's role does not remain subordinate to the men. Parenting is a job that should be shared. The burden does not rest solely on the women to raise their children.

Girls today are being given equal studying opportunities, hence been able to pursue their career and many have been very successful both in their career as well as their families. Being a professional and rearing or bringing up children at the same time really needs lots of efforts and most of all sleepless nights.

"All through the years.......
You have worked 'n' worked......
On our happiness......
Putting aside yours!"

As today is "Working Mother's Day" let's thank all working mothers for being a miracle in the lives of all the children in this world!

Greetings to all Grandpas & Grandmas.......

Today is a special day to honor all grandparents, so here's to wish you all..........

We all know that without them, we won't be who we are today! For all their cares, love and nurturing, I would like to take this golden opportunity to wish all Grandpas & Grandmas "A Very Blessed & Joyous Grandparent's Day & may you all have many more healthy and wonderful grand years to come". I am also sending you all some beautiful roses.........

A Grand Day Indeed '7th September '

7th September is "National Grandparents Day". Grandparents as the name says are GRAND people indeed. They shower us with their love, care and warmth and pamper us endlessly!!

Friends....... I would like to share the articles about the purpose and history of Grandparent's Day so that we can all have a good understanding of them and be able to treasure our grandparents - always remember that, we too will be Grandparents one day! You might want to know why I publish this article earlier, instead of tomorrow........ well, very simple...... just to give you all ample time to prepare for the 'grand' day tomorrow!

According to what I've researched, this day has a threefold purpose:

• to honour grandparents
• to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children
• to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer

The history of Grandparent's Day can be traced back to the first National Grandparent's Day in 1978. With the efforts of Marian McQuade, she has been recognized nationally by The United States Senate, in particular Senator Alphonse D'Amato, and President Carter as the founder of National Grandparent's Day. McQuade made it her goal to educate the young in the community to the important contributions senior citizens have made, and to the important contributions they are willing to make if asked.

In Canada, second sunday in September of each year is designated as Grandparent's Day in order to acknowledge their importance to the structure of the family in the nurturing, upbringing and education of children.

"God knows we all need someone with loving strength to share,
So Grandparents were created:
To comfort, love, and care."

A Narrow Escape!

This phrase sure sounds familiar to most people........ have read it in story books or even in newspapers or magazines........ it can be real happenings or just a make-up story by some authors. But....... have any of you ever really experienced a scenario such as "A Narrow Escape"??

Let me share with you what I experienced and which I will never forget for the whole of my life - for as long as I live!!

As usual, me and my two other colleagues are on our official duty to another state. Things get on well for the first few days until the final night of our stay. One of our colleague there invited me and another colleague to have dinner at one of the popular spot in that town. He then came to pick us up from our hotel and off we go........

When we reached the food court, we get ourselves seated, and he ordered some popular dishes. While the food is being served, we eat and at the same time chit-chatting away....... At that moment, the two of us from Kuching are really feeling great and enjoying ourselves, as having a colleague treating us for dinner. This will sure be the feeling for those who go traveling on official duty (that is away from our own hometown) and having someone kind enough to take the trouble to fetch us and bring us for dinner.

Before we finish eating, we suddenly heard some loud voices shouting and in just a while we saw two groups of people starting a fight!! A man seen holding a long 'parang' in his hand came towards another group of man and started to swing his parang at them. The other group bring up chairs in order to defend themselves. The sound of the parang chopping on the plastic chairs really seems scary indeed!!

As the fight gets nearer we then decided to get off from our seated place, but as we get up from our chairs and walk a little further off, those groups of man started running towards us. Then everyone present there started to run. I ran and then got splited up from my two other colleagues. What I could hear are sounds of chairs being thrown and flew every corner and mind you..... it happened, just right behind me!!! At that moment, I could hear my heart beating very fast! Being so scared and not knowing where to run and what to do, I suddenly run towards a wall, stoop down and close my eyes. At that moment I just wish that they won't stop behind me, but lucky enough those two groups of men continue on with their running and chasing.

Realising that they are gone, I got up on my poor restless feet and try looking around for my colleagues. Finally, I saw them at the other side, waving at me. It was only then that I feel relief! Even after feeling relief, I can still feel my whole body trembling, my heart still beating heavily and the happenings still lingers in my mind for the whole night.

To recall back this incident, it is really a blessing indeed! Despite chairs being thrown and flying all over, luckily I didn't got hit from it and having to run and jump (jump due to chairs all over) I wasn't being 'stampede'. It is indeed 'A Narrow Escape' for us all................

Article about Cats [Part 5]

Another interesting article about Cats is it's Whiskers! How many people really know the function of Cat's Whiskers and how important it is to them??? Through proper understanding, human can help cats to treasure their Whiskers, thus protecting their sense of direction.

The Whiskers

The whiskers are the most sensitive of the sensory organs. They include not only those that surround the mouth but also a number of other similar long hairs over the eyes, ears and chin which can sense slightest touch or pressure.

At night, the whiskers assume the function of a "radar" that perceived the presence and nature of a nearby object. They also protect the cat's sight from every potentially dangerous object that touches the whiskers first, so that the cat closes its eyes immediately.

The whiskers also sense air currents caused by moving objects, so that the cat "feels" even without touching the object.

The loss of the whiskers or their elimination by scissors would obstruct the cat's ability to freely move about.

Month of fasting for the Muslims

Another year has passed, and the Muslims are entering into their Islamic month of fasting that is the month of Ramadan or Bulan Ramadan in Malay.

I would like to take this golden opportunity to wish all Muslim friends and readers "Selamat Berpuasa" or "Happy Fasting".