How to microwave frozen Bak Zhang (粽子)

I wrote this to share how to microwave frozen bak zhang because the first time I did this, the bak zhang became so "crispy" outside and so "hard" inside, totally unpalatable.

Earlier of this year, I changed job and moved to another state. No more home cooked dinner and breakfast for me on working days. For the dumpling festival / dragon boat festival (端午节) , my mom made some bak zhang and gave me a few of it so that if I didn't manage to get dinner (due to MCO, many restaurants closed earlier), I could at least eat the bak zhang, instead of the usual instant noodle.

Anyway, one day I worked late and it's almost 10pm, so I decided not to try my luck on going to the restaurant directly and getting turned down by them. I decided to microwave the bak zhang. Initially, I set timer to 3 minutes, however, after that, I poked the bak zhang and felt that it's still kind of hard. So I add another 3 minutes, still hard. Finally, I added another 2 minutes, silly me, after I peeled off the bamboo leaf, I could see that the surface of the bak zhang became so dry. I tried to eat it, but after eating the outermost thin layer which was crispy, the others was so hard, even my good teeth didn't manage to chew a chunk of it. Finally, I had Maggi mee as my dinner that night.

I shared my failure story with my family members, and my brother suggested that I put a glass of water when I microwave the bak zhang. Well, at home, mom would normally steam it, maybe it's the vapour that keep the bak zhang soft. So, my second attempt, a glass of water plus a frozen bak zhang inside the moicrowave oven. Initially, I still set 3 minutes, but when I touched the bak zhang after 3 minutes, I felt it's not hot enough, so I added another 2 minutes (not dare to put longer), when I touched it, it's warm and when I poked it with fork, it's not hard.

Luckily, this second attempt works. I was so happy when I peeled off the bamboo leaf and saw the normal bak zhang. The taste and texture was normal too, I think due to the presence of moisture, it hydrated the bak zhang and I got to have bak zhang as dinner.

Enjoy the bak zhang everyone!

Big Bad Wolf December 2019

Well, I didn't go to the Big Bad Wolf book sales for the pass one or two years because my book buddy and I were busy and we have tonnes of unread books. However, she resigned on the middle of this year and we felt that we could use this Big Bad Wolf as a chance to meet up. So, same like previous years, I took half day leave on the first day of the sales to go to this sales.

We parked at The Mines Shopping Mall and went to the MIECC after having lunch. Me and my buddy were very surprised that we couldn't see anyone at all lugging bags of books in The Mines Shopping Mall. I remembered previously when we ate lunch in The Mines, we could see a lot of people with the Big Bad Wolf plastic bags. I think everybody else already bought enough books to last a lifetime from previous sales. 

Me and my buddy separated after entering the sales and promised to meet again after one and a half hour. Initially, I took a basket, then I felt that it's not not convenient, so I returned the basket and took a trolley (like the one used in supermarket) instead. But after awhile, I felt that I won't be needing that, so I pushed the trolley back to the original place. 

At the local publisher corner, I saw a lot of academic books, no wonder no one was there when I was browsing at the area. It is not as interesting as novels. I think most were excesses from the university publisher, there were even books on how to write thesis. A very dull subject. But it will be useful for the final year university student.

There were many translated books also. I didn't see it on previous sales. Maybe I didn't pass by the area previously. This area was also quite deserted.

The most popular and happening area would the children's section. The parents (maybe some were businessmen) were so enthusiastic, buying loads of books. Most of the people in the area has a trolley full of books.

Looking at the books were quite fun too, I would buy if I have a child.

I didn't have access to this educational children's books when I was young. It was very expensive and my parents would not be able to afford that. I remembered that some of my friends, they had the ladybird series when they were young. I only started to learn ABC after I attended kindergarten, no preschool learning or anything else. My earliest memory on learning was right before I went to the kindergarten, my late grandfather thought me to write my own name in Chinese. I only went to the kindergarten for one year and then directly started primary school. Nowadays, parents send their children to kindergarten as early as 3 years old, so early. But some of my friends said that they were afraid that their children would be left behind if they started school too late. Well, this book sales helped parents to save a little with the affordable price.

There was a small corner of Chinese books too. Didn't find any interesting titles.

There were many other unusual titles too. Interested to look at, but no desire to buy and keep at home.

I found many classic titles too. Example below, Madame Bovary. I read this book when I was in secondary school, it was available in the school library and it is a Malay translated version. I couldn't understand why Madame Bovary wanted to have affairs and destroyed her own life. Too complicated for a form 2 student. I read a lot of books when I was in secondary school, no computer that time and free time was spent reading. I read "Tulang-tulang Berserakan" then, I couldn't believe that I actual finished reading that book, I couldn't even finish 5 pages of "1984" now. I still remember that "Bukit Kepong" was a struggle, it was a much more difficult read than "Tulang-tulang Berserakan", but since it was the exam requirement for Malay literature classes, I finally got an abridged version of it and only remembered the important points. But another novel for Malay literature was very easy to read, I forgot the name, but I still remember the story.

There were many box sets also, like "Harry Potter series", "Paulo Coelho", etc. I only wanted "The Alchemist", but I couldn't find the single book, only available in sets. I also couldn't find Terry Pratchett, I bought many Terry Pratchett's books from Big Bad Wolf previously. So finally I got myself three books only. The least books that I have bought from Big Bad Wolf sales.

I bought "Paper towns" from John Green, "ok" from Allan Metcalf and "The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks". Haven't started to read yet,  but I think I will enjoy all these books. Apart from the books, I also enjoyed meeting up with a good friend. 

Empties 2H19

2020 is coming soon and Malaysia is not yet a developed country as envisioned by Tun M years ago. I still remember I was still very young when I first heard about this Wawasan 2020, I was very impressed by Tun M speeches and I couldn't imagine how it would be in 2020 then, I was just in primary or lower secondary school that time, what I remembered was that Tun M didn't need notes and he just continued his speech in English and Malay without stopping. I was so young then, it was so impressing and I did believe that Malaysia will become a great developed country by 2020. Now, I feel tired with the current political state of Malaysia. So negative. We all need to work together to make Malaysia a better place. 

Anyway, enough ranting. Time for empties. This is a record for myself.

1. Nivea Vanilla & Almond Oil Infused Body Lotion
As usual, Nivea didn't disappoint me, it is affordable and it works to combat dry skin. However, the smell takes sometimes to get used to. 

2. Clinelle Purifying Toner (Purify, Soothe & Protect)

I don't normally change my moisturizer, but I do change my toner a lot. This is my first Clinelle product. The smell is quite refreshing and non sticky. I tried to spray directly on my face and it was disastrous, my face until neck was all wet, so finally I spray it on cotton pad before apply on face. Overall, a so so product, not so cheap compared to other toners. Can buy if in deep discount.

3. Naruko Rose & Aqua-In Super Hydrating Moisturizer 
This is my staple moisturizer. Well, it is not so expensive and I feel that it is quite good, so, repurchase again and again.

4. Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream
Well, I don't like the smell, but it not not oily and quite moisturizing, so have to bear with the smell for first few days. After that, one would get immune with the smell. This cream is full of the Hyaluronic Acid, so I think Hyaluronic Acid smells like this cream. Plus, I bought another Dr Morita High Purity Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Facial Cream, both have identical smell. But in my opinion, the Dr Morita's smells better. Hahaha. I don't understand though on the packaging, it is only a 50g cream, but the bottle and box is so big compared to the actual volume.

5. L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh Hydration + Antiox Active Night Mask-In Jelly
If the box for Hada Labo Hydrating Cream is big, then this L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly is huge. The volumn is only 50ml, but the box is so much bigger than the bottle. I have to admit that when I was deciding which nigh mask to buy, the big box gave me an illusion that it is cheaper per volume. I didn't notice the actual volume is only 50ml. I just guessed from the box size. Anyway, this is not a bad night mask but I still think Naruko night mask is the best.

6. Special Biomedical Repair Cream 
My second bottle and it didn't solve my chin acne problem like the first one. I think that before I stopped using, there must be around half bottle left, but when I opened yesterday night, only a thin layer left. Anyway, time to throw.

7. Nivea Creme
Very cheap, affordable and versatile cream. Haven't buy a new one, but planning to get one soon.

8. Loshi Moisture Skin Cream - Horse Oil 
A very moisturizing cream. So rich until can use on body, I applied this on my feet to avoid crack feet. So unbelievable, 220g and I finished it.

9. Sukin Hydrating Day Cream with Rose Hip Oil (120ml)
This is quite cheap considering that it is a huge 120ml bottle cream. But the box is smaller than the L’Oreal Paris Hydrafresh  Night Mask-In Jelly, Hahaha. I have no luck with the Sukin night cream, but this day cream is not so bad, it has a pleasant smell, quite moisturizing. But I think I will not repurchase.

10. L'oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Aging + Firming Aqua Milky Toner
I applied this after the Clinelle toner. I feel that actually this step can be skipped. But since I already bought this, have to finish it up. It is heavier than the Clinelle toner, but not as heavy as the normal moisturizer, cannot be used as moisturizer on its own.

11. Botaneco Garden Organic Chia Seed & Honey Hand Cream
A Guardian Pharmacy house brand. The hand cream from this Botaneco Garden range is really quite good. Initially I thought that this Honey Hand Cream would be too sweet, but no, it is not smelly and non sticky, easy to absorb. I put this in the office, whenever I felt that my hands were dry, I applied this hand cream. And one day, I lost the cap, and it didn't dry up. After one month I think, the cream texture is still the same. A very good hand cream. Now waiting to finish current stock, most likely will repurchase, unless Botaneco Garden comes out with new flavour, then maybe I will change. Hahaha.

Happy new year everyone! May 2020 bring you happiness, peace and prosperity. (sounds like Chinese new year wishes!)

Empties 1H19

I am getting lazier and lazier. Didn't touch this blog for around 6 months. However, I have empty bottles to throw away, so have to do this for my own record.

1. Palmer's Olive Oil Body Lotion

Frankly, I bought this during sales. It is much more expensive than my usual body lotion. There is another variant, the coconut oil body lotion, but since coconut oil is comedogenic and I have issues with body acne, I just chose this olive oil version with no paraben, no mineral oil, no sulfates, etc. It also contains shea butter, not sure the percentage though. This body lotion is more fluid than the normal Nivea body lotion, the smell is not bad too. I didn't feel stickiness when I applied on my skin. And I didn't feel itchy after that, so I guess this is a good moisturizer. Will definitely buy again if it is on sales.  

Palmer's Olive Oil Body Lotion

Empties for 2018

It has been a very busy year with work. To avoid keeping too many empty bottles, I summarized after a few empties.

 

1. Cosmoderm Vitamin E Oil 30000 I.U. With Rosehip Oil

This is a Vitamin E based oil with a bit of Rosehip oil (the Rosa Canina fruit extract is last on the ingredients list). Well, I used the 15000 I.U. version before and I like it. So, I was thinking maybe the higher concentration version will have better benefit and I bought this oil. I was strong. My face is not suitable for this, the texture is so thick until I felt that the oil just sitting on my face, finally I used this on my body. I think only those with really desert dry skin can use this. Anyway, lesson learnt, a higher concentration is not necessary better. One thing I didn't like about Cosmoderm is their packaging, the pressure pump cap design is not good, everytime I pumped, some oil would flow along the cap and contaminate the bottle outer area, so wasted. However, the latest design for the cap is improved a bit, the latest 15000 I.U. oil that I bought has a new design and the wastage is not that much.

2. Olay Total Effects 7 in One (Anti-ageing + fairness Cream) SPF 15

I like the Olay texture, it is quite smooth on face. I used this as sunscreen, but I feel that actually this is not so suitable to be used as sunscreen because it is only SPF 15 and after reading the ingredients list and compared to Google, only Homosalate is normally used in Sunscreen , but better than none, right? This uses the airless pump design, so, when the cream was used up to last bit, there was some sense of satisfaction, Hahaha!

3. Botaneco Garden Organic Argan & Virgin Olive Oil - Nourishing Hand Cream

A very nice and good smelling hand cream. It contains Organic Argan Oil from Morocco and Virgin Olive Oil from Spain and free of Parabens, Silicone, soap, colourant, Lanolin, Dea, SLS and SLES. So many oils. I really like this hand cream, this is a good and affordable hand cream and easily accessible from Guardian Pharmacy. Well, until now I never splurged on a L'Occitane hand cream, maybe if I get a really fat bonus, then I may get the hand cream. So, for now, pharmacy hand cream it is.

4. Lucas' Papaw Ointment

I read about this in many blogs. Many were singing praises for this and they used it on the whole body. Well, I read in one blog, the blogger used this as lip balm. When I saw this in a shop, I bought this to try, I was getting bored with Nivea Creme, It's good, but I wanted to try others. It's made in Australia and contains Carica Papaya (fresh fermented fruit), it is not papaya though. The thing that surprised me was the sentences printed on the packaging, which was "This is a traditional medicine" and "Diluluskan oleh KKM MAL 19962190T". This is categorized under medicine, and the packaging also mentions the this is traditionally used as a local topical application for symptomatic relief of minor cuts, wounds and insect bites. It didn't mention anything about lip moisturizer. However, some claimed that this is just a version of expensive Vaseline. Well, I am not compatible with Vaseline. This is still OK for me. In the Lucas Papaw website, they mentioned that they are using pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly and wax. Since it's approved until the Health Ministry of Malaysia, it must have gone through some stringent tests, so it should be safer to use on lips? Compared to other lip balm? This tube lasts for a very long time, I think more than 2 years.

5. Hatomugi skin conditioner (ナチュリエ ハトムギ化粧水 スキンコンディショナー)

Another bottle is in my possession right now. This is a cheap toner, around RM30 and the volume is 500ml. So, one can be very generous with the usage and I poured this toner on the cotton sheet like this is water until the cotton sheet is soaked with the toner. Hahaha, and even with the usage, this bottle could last months. However, although the packaging remarked that this toner contains natural ingredients, temperature and other changes may cause sediment to occur, but I have never seen that. It maintains the same structure until the end. 

6. Nivea Body Milk Intensive Moisture (Dry to very dry skin) Vitamin E & Grape Seed Oil

I have gone through several bottles of this. It is a good body lotion. I didn't feel itchy at all when I was using this. However, only on my upper body, I still feel itchiness on my legs, I am not sure it was due to dryness or razor burn though. 

7. Uriage Eau Thermale (Thermal Water)

I have never use thermal water before, I read that it was meant as face mists. So, I sprayed this on my face after toner. Well, my only feeling was my face was so wet. Hahaha, didn't feel that it improved anything though. For me, not an important step. 

8. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Premium Hydrating Lotion
Well, bought this for the 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid. Used this after the Hatomugi toner when I felt that my skin needed the extra boost. Now using another Hada Labo lotion. Almost finished trying all the lotion in the Hada Labo range.

9. Sukin Facial Moisturiser (Paraben Free)
Well, for a natural skincare, Sukin is a fairly affordable brand. This moisturiser is even cheaper than the Naruko Rose & Botanic HA Aqua Cubic Moisturizer EX. But in my heart, Naruko is better. Anyway, I bought this because Guardian was having really good sales and I bought this. Plus, this has no SLS, no SLES, no synthetic fragrances, no Animal derivatives, no "Harsh" detergent (means still have detergent?), no propylene glycol, no artificial colours, no Triethanolamine, no mineral oils, no EDTA, no Paraben and it is 100% Vegan. It sounds so healthy. Hahaha, it is not the best moisturiser that I tried before, but it is not bad and I am into my second bottle and a third bottle in my drawer. I couldn't resist a good sales.

10. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel

This is not a night gelly. Initially, I wanted to use this to skip moisturizer and sleeping mask. But, I feel that it's not that useful. I still need a proper moisturizer. So, it was left at a corner. I realized it's going to expire soon on October 2018, so I googled to find out how other people use this. One mentioned that she used this as a mask with a thickness of around 7mm, wow, it's very difficult to achieve that thickness, the maximum I could do was around 1 to 2mm only. I feel that if I added more on my face, it would drip down and stain my clothes and bed sheet. So, with a 1.5mm mask everyday, I finished this.

11. Loshi Moisture Skin Cream Coenzyme Q10 コエンザイムQ10配合スキンクルーム
I bought this for my feet alone. I tried all the skin cream range for this Loshi brand. I think the best is the purple colour one, the Lithospermum Root. This Q10 and the Urea one ranked low on the list. I think the thing that bugs me was the smell, not pleasant for me. But I have no crack heels when I was using this.

12. Mentholatum Botanics (Moisturizing & Brightening Face Wash)
I bought this because it contains rosehip oil and the weight is 150g. Definitely cheaper than the Senka Speedy Perfect whip and lasts longer, well, much longer. Of course, I have to make it into a lather, not as convenient as the Senka, but it's not a hard work.

Nivea lotion & Duplair toner

13. Nivea Cherry Blossom & Jojoba Oil (Oil in Lotion) for Normal to Dry Skin
I am a fan of Nivea body lotion. When I bought this, it was still fairly new to the market. The description on the packaging is 'indulging cherry blossom scent in a fast absorbing lotion', well, I have gone through 2 sakura season, and I couldn't smell anything under the tree. Anyway, I think the scent of this lotion is a bit too sweet for me. The moisturizing property for this lotion is ok for me, no itchy skin.
 
14. Duplair Ceramide Lotion (デュプレール セラミド化粧水)
I bought this for the size vs prize. It is so affordable. According to the description on the packaging, there are ample amount of ceramide to nourish skin, 3 types of collagen, locks in moisture with Placenta (I only realized that it contains placenta after I finished this). It is a fairly good affordable toner, but now I am torn whether I will repurchase this or not. I feel weird, why placenta is used in skin care products. I applied something with placenta on my face for months!

Sukin Facial Moisturiser & Cosmoderm Vitamin E Oil

15. Sukin Facial Moisturiser (Paraben Free) 
Same as item number 9. I bought another bottle when it was on sales.

16. Cosmoderm Vitamin E Oil 15,000 I.U. 
Although the dispensing head is different from the previous version. This new one is not really use friendly. The outer area is covered with oil after a few days. Everytime I pumped it,  droplet of oil will flow alongside the outer wall of the bottle. So messy. Product wise, it is OK. Finally, I have to conclude that for oil product, the pump type is really not a good choice.

Ellgy Plus Cracked Heel Cream

17. Ellgy Plus Cracked Heel Cream
I got these 2 tubes from other online skincare purchases. I always uses cream (body lotion or really heavy cream that is not expensive) on my feet. This is my first heel cream. Well, initially I did not like the smell, but gradually I began to like it. Weird, right? Anyway, it is a light and easy to adsorb cream. Compared to other body lotion, using a little bit of this heel cream feels enough to prevent cracked heel. Hehehe! Sometimes, I used this as hand cream too. But using as hand cream is a bit overkill though. In the introduction, this cream can be used for diabetics too. For this cream, the ingredient used to lock moisture is Saccharide Isomerate, quite different from the other face cream or body lotion.

Mamonde Rose Soothing Gel

18. Mamonde Rose Water Soothing Gel 
The packaging is not available now, the new design is tube type. I bought this to be used as sleeping mask because I thought the function is like the Naruko night gel. Well, it is not, and it is more like the aloe vera gel, best used after exposed to sun light. Hahahaha, however to finish this, like the aloe vera gel, I applied a thick soothing gel on my face every night, the smell can be overwhelming and this is not a night mask. The effect is not there. Anyway, better to read more before buying anything. One of my new year resolutions is say no to impulse buying!

COSMODERM Vitamin E Cream 1000 I.U. with Roseship Oil

19. COSMODERM Vitamin E Cream 1000 I.U. with Roseship Oil
The texture and feeling when applied on my face is nice. I felt that the cream is being adsorbed fast. The smell is so so, not so bad. However, after few days of using this, I got big pimples, the one with no head and took days to subside. So, I used this on my neck after that. Haiz, I still have another tube that I bought during sales. I think I will not buy this again.

Happy New Year! Hoping that 2019 will be a better year ahead.