I'm sick. Blame it on the nonsense CNY diet.
THANKS! MC for baking all the cookies!!!
I made the cookie mix but was too ill to bake, so MC baked them all for me. Took her 2 and a half hours! It's great to have you back, at least I've got someone to lean on now :):).
Will post that soon. They are YUMMY!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
I hate Final Count Down!!!
It's 3rd day of CNY and one of my pants is just so tight, need to wear my older jeans. What's the relation? I ate too much and hence had grown fat. Fatter.
Since sis and BIL is out with visitation, and mum could do with some time alone at home for her chanting, I decided to head down to the gym in vain hope to burn all the extra fats in one hardcore BS class.
There were no traffic in KL! Such a heaven driving around during this festive. Arrived at SPK in just 20 minutes. Turn up was considered quite good for CNY I thought. Instead of my normal spot (long long time ago when I do SPK regularly) right at the front, I've chosen a second row place. I thought FI will be donned in red for the auspicious festive celebration, but I was wrong, he was in one of his usual outfit. Bumped into some old time gym buddies, and I was asked where was the red. Ermm... Okaaaay... I was in black Nike top (It's a new one!), black shorts, black socks and black shoes (hey but my shoe laces were purple). Complete with black bandanna, but huh! There were spots of red on it! There you go...
We did some rather old tracks, a few would be last few releases which I have missed. I've not been doing BS for a year. I mean I've joined a few on and off, but not really considered doing BS as in like last time. Track 5 was our all (old, very old) time favorite, remember doing that since the first few times I joined FI's classes. Recovery track was a killer, my thighs were burning and had problem keeping my body really upright for the repeaters. The speed track was one I really can't do well - the skipping on the board, a bit phobia, not sure if my feet were still going to land on the board if I do bigger action. Overall, I was quite blur and conscious since I've not done BS for so long.
It was a non-stop class, the FI usual, but of course we can go off to get a quick drink whenever we want. I had to get a drink after the speed track and felt like walking out of the studio when I heard the intro of the final track. THE FINAL COUNT DOWN!!! I was already moving my head left right, no no no no no... Reluctantly, REALLY reluctantly, I walked back to my board. Oh well, after all, I did come aiming to work out to the max, didn't I? I really doubted that I can do all the "skiing" properly.
To make matter worse, FI moved his board from up stage to the floor. OH NO!!! And... WHY was there an empty space beside my board?! Arghhhhh... looked like my final sentence. How was I even able to cheat with FI right beside me? Some more with his constant "not higher than me!" during the skiing. I felt like my feet were giving up, going to trip and fall off the board anytime!
THEN, to my horror, I got confused with my steps! Got so used to the mirror effect of the instructors that I was quite blur when teacher was beside me instead of at front. I got my moves wrong when we changed from the repeaters to over the board. Tsk! How could I missed the very basic of BS?! For that big mistake, I got FI giving up on his own board and over to mine with a stern stare. I'm sorry. I'M SORRY!!! I didn't do any more mistakes after that! Geezzz....
It was an extremely great workout, but I officially (again) hate Final Count Down. Too many shuffles. Felt like throwing up and passing out after that track. Haha... a bit exaggerating eh :p.
But... that particular jeans of mine is still tight! Arghhh...
Btw, went to watched CJ7. NOT recommended, it was not as hilarious as we expected of a Stephen Chow movie. Plus, the story line got a bit confusing towards the end and the ending was hanging and meaningless.
Since sis and BIL is out with visitation, and mum could do with some time alone at home for her chanting, I decided to head down to the gym in vain hope to burn all the extra fats in one hardcore BS class.
There were no traffic in KL! Such a heaven driving around during this festive. Arrived at SPK in just 20 minutes. Turn up was considered quite good for CNY I thought. Instead of my normal spot (long long time ago when I do SPK regularly) right at the front, I've chosen a second row place. I thought FI will be donned in red for the auspicious festive celebration, but I was wrong, he was in one of his usual outfit. Bumped into some old time gym buddies, and I was asked where was the red. Ermm... Okaaaay... I was in black Nike top (It's a new one!), black shorts, black socks and black shoes (hey but my shoe laces were purple). Complete with black bandanna, but huh! There were spots of red on it! There you go...
We did some rather old tracks, a few would be last few releases which I have missed. I've not been doing BS for a year. I mean I've joined a few on and off, but not really considered doing BS as in like last time. Track 5 was our all (old, very old) time favorite, remember doing that since the first few times I joined FI's classes. Recovery track was a killer, my thighs were burning and had problem keeping my body really upright for the repeaters. The speed track was one I really can't do well - the skipping on the board, a bit phobia, not sure if my feet were still going to land on the board if I do bigger action. Overall, I was quite blur and conscious since I've not done BS for so long.
It was a non-stop class, the FI usual, but of course we can go off to get a quick drink whenever we want. I had to get a drink after the speed track and felt like walking out of the studio when I heard the intro of the final track. THE FINAL COUNT DOWN!!! I was already moving my head left right, no no no no no... Reluctantly, REALLY reluctantly, I walked back to my board. Oh well, after all, I did come aiming to work out to the max, didn't I? I really doubted that I can do all the "skiing" properly.
To make matter worse, FI moved his board from up stage to the floor. OH NO!!! And... WHY was there an empty space beside my board?! Arghhhhh... looked like my final sentence. How was I even able to cheat with FI right beside me? Some more with his constant "not higher than me!" during the skiing. I felt like my feet were giving up, going to trip and fall off the board anytime!
THEN, to my horror, I got confused with my steps! Got so used to the mirror effect of the instructors that I was quite blur when teacher was beside me instead of at front. I got my moves wrong when we changed from the repeaters to over the board. Tsk! How could I missed the very basic of BS?! For that big mistake, I got FI giving up on his own board and over to mine with a stern stare. I'm sorry. I'M SORRY!!! I didn't do any more mistakes after that! Geezzz....
It was an extremely great workout, but I officially (again) hate Final Count Down. Too many shuffles. Felt like throwing up and passing out after that track. Haha... a bit exaggerating eh :p.
But... that particular jeans of mine is still tight! Arghhh...
Btw, went to watched CJ7. NOT recommended, it was not as hilarious as we expected of a Stephen Chow movie. Plus, the story line got a bit confusing towards the end and the ending was hanging and meaningless.
Friday, February 8, 2008
红豆沙汤圆
This was the planned dessert for CNY 年初一dinner. Red bean soup with tong yuen (glutinous rice ball). However, I made another cake last minute because mum was apparently expecting a cake. If I had more time, I would have made the chocolate cake, but since it was really last minute and I only had less than half a day, I only made a butter cake with butter icing and lychee.
The sticky glutinous rice ball 
The cooked tong yuen 
Tong yuen with sweet red bean soupBP on CNY eve
Continued with baking when I came back on Tuesday night and woke up late on CNY eve since I was already on holiday. Since mum wanted to clean the house for a final round, I decided to vacate the house for her convenience. Hee... :P So, what other better things to do then going to the gym? Haha...
FI was still doing his usual class at MMX. BP, yes, just what I needed since I missed my Monday slot (and I don't think I'll get to do the second one this week). The class being at lunch time on a weekday was of course not full. I think there were only about 15 of us. Which is such a heaven for me since it's quite hard to be in a not crowded FI class. FI will still be teaching throughout CNY, only going on leave next week.
I guess, since it was quite a relax class, plus FI with his trademark made some part of the tracks really quite funny. Though it was not the perfect mistake-less class, he actually improvised very well, you will really be amazed how the tracks can still flow through smoothly even though it was not conducted with the original moves and choreo. I suppose that's what only an experience instructor is able to do.
Since my waistline has expanded (my pants getting tight!) and I have not been and will not be working out much, I told myself I will have to increase weights, at least for those tracks I could. So, the most possible would be squat (PT once told me women has stronger lower body strength compared with our upper body). Didn't increased much though, only another extra donut to my 10kg, but can really feel the difference, the weights were really bearing down my legs. On top of that, I think there were some extra bottom halves leh! Haiya... (then again, I could be wrong. Just my imagination at dire moments perhaps).
Chest track, still cannot manage my 6kg well, wonder when I can start to increase those weights. So me with the not so heavy weights but usual despair groanings got quite a lot of "I know how you feel" and "stay with me" from teacher. Arghhh... pain.
Back track... I couldn't really remember what track was that when the music started to play, only vaguely remember that tune to be associated with some great pain and moments near to giving up. Then, during clean and press, ah Paradise. Not! It's the one with 5 clean and presses. Luckily I didn't add anymore weights. Or perhaps I should have reduced the weights. It was hard to decide because FI said before the start of that track: "some people think this track is hard, but some feels that this is easy, it's up to you" - so how? Humphh...
Hugged another extra 5kg plate for lunges. It was really satisfying, at least I'd really worked out my lower body. Biceps track was one with loads of bottom halves and top halves (not Car Wash though). Me never do well in biceps tracks, but when it comes to FI's classes, the pain is usually less felt since I will be distracted by FI's "entertainments". Haha...
Since FI doesn't like pineapple tarts, gave him some mini cupcakes with the message "新年进步。心想事成" on them. Was too sleepy the night before, so no pictures taken. FI's parting words were "don't eat too much during CNY, you might get fat!"
Humphh... I desperately need to burn off some calories!!!
FI was still doing his usual class at MMX. BP, yes, just what I needed since I missed my Monday slot (and I don't think I'll get to do the second one this week). The class being at lunch time on a weekday was of course not full. I think there were only about 15 of us. Which is such a heaven for me since it's quite hard to be in a not crowded FI class. FI will still be teaching throughout CNY, only going on leave next week.
I guess, since it was quite a relax class, plus FI with his trademark made some part of the tracks really quite funny. Though it was not the perfect mistake-less class, he actually improvised very well, you will really be amazed how the tracks can still flow through smoothly even though it was not conducted with the original moves and choreo. I suppose that's what only an experience instructor is able to do.
Since my waistline has expanded (my pants getting tight!) and I have not been and will not be working out much, I told myself I will have to increase weights, at least for those tracks I could. So, the most possible would be squat (PT once told me women has stronger lower body strength compared with our upper body). Didn't increased much though, only another extra donut to my 10kg, but can really feel the difference, the weights were really bearing down my legs. On top of that, I think there were some extra bottom halves leh! Haiya... (then again, I could be wrong. Just my imagination at dire moments perhaps).
Chest track, still cannot manage my 6kg well, wonder when I can start to increase those weights. So me with the not so heavy weights but usual despair groanings got quite a lot of "I know how you feel" and "stay with me" from teacher. Arghhh... pain.
Back track... I couldn't really remember what track was that when the music started to play, only vaguely remember that tune to be associated with some great pain and moments near to giving up. Then, during clean and press, ah Paradise. Not! It's the one with 5 clean and presses. Luckily I didn't add anymore weights. Or perhaps I should have reduced the weights. It was hard to decide because FI said before the start of that track: "some people think this track is hard, but some feels that this is easy, it's up to you" - so how? Humphh...
Hugged another extra 5kg plate for lunges. It was really satisfying, at least I'd really worked out my lower body. Biceps track was one with loads of bottom halves and top halves (not Car Wash though). Me never do well in biceps tracks, but when it comes to FI's classes, the pain is usually less felt since I will be distracted by FI's "entertainments". Haha...
Since FI doesn't like pineapple tarts, gave him some mini cupcakes with the message "新年进步。心想事成" on them. Was too sleepy the night before, so no pictures taken. FI's parting words were "don't eat too much during CNY, you might get fat!"
Humphh... I desperately need to burn off some calories!!!
For my neighbours
Last weekend was quite hectic, with heavy baking, continued on Monday with the icing of 3 cakes. Though extremely sleepy, but managed to snap some photos of the making. These cakes were my mum's "order" (which I kept forgetting to include in my schedule) and it was her gifts to our neighbours.
I think these cakes are the closest version of the "giant muffins/ cupcakes" as mentioned by the Cupcake Queen Jr. Haha... Happy Chinese New Year!!!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Almond Chocolate Chips Biscotti
This is the "improved" version, and I think final version since so far everyone is happy with it:
Carebear finished hers on her way home (it's a very tiny pack, but at least it was okay to be eaten in one go)
Gave this to my boss as CNY gift and he said it was the best he ever had. Wah... I love this recipe!
Must remember to get feedback from little bro. For sis, her gift pack consist Almond Raisins Biscotti, was too sleepy that night, so didn't take picture of them.
A few notes for myself:
Must fully grease the baking sheet so that I can use the baking sheet to shape the log. If the baking sheet is not greased, the biscotti mixture will be too sticky and will not come off clean from the baking sheet.
This is the improved shape.
Chocolate chips is definately a better idea, the "arrangement" looks more organized.
Must use serrated knife to make life easier.
And for the slicing to look neater.
This thickness should be better, not too thin because the biscuit doesn't contain much if too thin, plus they get burnt easier when baking for the second time.
The chocolate chips when cool, will melt in your mouth when you eat these biscotti.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Pineapple Tart
One of my major "project" for CNY (started last year) is pineapple tart. It was an experiment last year, inspired by SB. I had quite a few inquiries last year after giving them out as CNY gift, but couldn't fulfil those requests due to lack of time. This year, I face shortage again, in fact, there is no pineapple tart in this house. Yeah, the production house has no pineapple tart to feed the member in its own house, on the first day of CNY! Need to produce more soon.
Individually shaped
Ready for the oven
Baked pineapple tarts
Packed
Made some smaller boxes as well - MC ordered some as gift-away for her colleagues. The pineapple tarts were wrapped together with a packet of Almond and Chocolate biscotti. That was also my gift to Little Bro.
At the end of last weekend, I've made 8 large boxes and 5 small boxes of pineapple tarts; 4 butter cakes; 2 batches of biscotti and some mini cupcakes.
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