Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

Review: 15 Minute Cookbook

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Alright. You would have noticed that I recommend this Cookbook on the Amazon.com widget I have on this blog’s sidebar.

When I was a full time working Mom, I was always on the lookout for time-saving (or time-stealing) ideas to help me get more out of a given  day. This Cookbook was one of those ideas I was able to get a hold of. And true to its 15-minute promise, it has been an invaluable resource for me even now that I am a SAHM running around after my Kids. The time-saving / time-stealing ideas still work. Always good to have something that lasts, yes?

Included in the chapters of this Cookbook is one titled ‘The 15-minute Kitchen’ where you are given a breakdown on the essential items to have for your kitchen to work superfast! Here’s a line about whisks that I like:

‘A metal balloon whisk is great for softly whipping cream and sauces to a smooth consistency. Whisks are available in all shapes and sizes. Don’t buy an enormous whisk that is difficult to use and will not fit into pans. Mini-whisks are not essential – you can always use a fork instead.’

You know how when you go shopping for these things and when you find them, they come in a set of S, M, L sizes? Not essential. In today’s economic climate, buy the One you need.

It’s good to find some attention to detail in the pages of this Cookbook. It’s the little things yaknow…

Then there’s the REAL 15 minute recipes.

Among the dishes that I’ve made from this collection is the Corn Fritters, which the Hubby loved. The recipe called for slicing the kernels off of corn cobs, but I made things even simpler by using those Del Monte Whole Corn Kernels packed in a tetra pak.

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This dish quickly became a favorite because it goes well with main dishes, on its own, and even for an afternoon snack with tea or coffee. (Typical of the Malaysian ‘makan’ culture)

And who knew you could have Barbecued Lamb with Red Pepper Salsa on the dinner table in 15 minutes tops??

Wanna know something else that’s cool? After using a few of these recipes, I found myself slowly coming up with little time-saving tips and tricks of my own. Handy huh?

Now how do we get hold of this Cookbook you say?

To be honest, I got it off the Doulos Book Shop when they were docked here last.

BUT.

Have no fear Girlfriends!

Thanks to the wonders of technology, now you can buy this off – you guessed it – Amazon.com.

And *shameless plug alert!!* if you click through my sidebar and make your purchase from there, you’ll be helping this housewife jingle a little pocket change in her small purse.

And did I mention this Cookbook comes with pictures for some of the steps? Easy peasy!

(I’m trying to find something I DON’T LIKE about this Cookbook, so that you know, you’ll have a balanced review, but I just heart it. What can I say??)

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Buy Christmas gifts all year long

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

simplifySo how are we at simplifying life thus far?

It is in a small but steady measure for me. With an economy that experts warn looks to worsen in the coming days, I remind myself that all the more reason I should simplify and stick with the basics, at least until we’ve weathered through the storms of uncertainty ahead of us.

That’s why this next chapter of our book review is in fact nothing new, but certainly more real at this time.

Buy Christmas gifts all year long.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. – Proverbs 16:3

By the time Christmas day rolls around each year, many of us find that we are too exhausted and too broke to enjoy the celebration. That’s because we have spent the two or three weeks before Christmas in a flurry of baking, cleaning, decorating, signing cards, and buying and wrapping gifts.

Try purchasing two or three gifts a month throughout the year. Wrap and label them so that you can remember what they are and who they are for. Christmas cards can be signed and addressed well in advance also. This approach makes life a little simpler and saves you money. *Cards and gifts are much less expensive in January than in December.

The best Christmas gift we can give ourselves is TIME.

*Over here in Malaysia we are blessed that there is usually a Mega Sale scheduled in December. Price-wise we could get quite a good bargain. Time-wise however, we could heed the advice given.

My Brother and his wife are very good with buying gifts all year long. I know my SIL is always on the lookout for the perfect gift for someone in the family when the occasion calls for it. Often times she will catch an item with good value for money. I’m learning from her.

I realise that this idea can also be applied to other celebrations that we have here in Sabah, and in Malaysia as a whole. For me and my Family, Chinese New Year and Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) does come once every year. Then there’s Birthdays and Anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and dare I say it? Valentine’s Day. It shouldn’t come upon us in overwhelming ways.

With good planning, we could have a memorable celebration even on a budget and best of all, have the time to savor it all.

Go on. Let’s hear your take.  ;-)

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Clean out my closets.. yup.

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

simplifyTime to talk about Simplifying again.

Here’s today’s topic.

Clean out my closets.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill

Items that have been stored in your closets for more than a year are merely taking up space and making it more difficult to find the things you need. So what can you do with all those “don’t quite fit”, “not exatly new”, “way too good to throw away” items?

There are many wonderful non-profit agencies that can provide a way to put those annoying leftovers to good use across the nation and around the world. Chances are there is one such enterprise near you. Cleaning out your closets can lighten your load and allow you the pleasure of knowing you are helping to meet the needs of others – a wonderfully liberating experience.

Give what you cannot use to gain what you cannot buy!

When I first read through this chapter, the thought I had in my mind about closets were of clothes. Then I realised the paragraph began with ‘items’. In all likelihood, we’re also talking about such things as shoes, maybe cushion covers and other types of linen. I even went so far to think about the ‘closets’ in my kitchen and the stuff I could very well do without taking up space in them nooks! But let’s not go there…

I was able to clean out my Husband’s side of the wardrobe the past week and found some shirts that he hadn’t worn for some time because he had wanted to reserve them for ’special occasions’. Well, the sort of occasion he had in his mind never came, so I’ve taken them out and put them on the Work Wear line. When he saw what I did, he shrugged and said, “Yea, I guess you could do that..” Uhuh. So now I don’t HAVE to get for him the blue and beige shirts that I had set my eyes on at the mall. Or maybe I will. We’ll see.

Another thing I want to get to are the shoes. When my Mom was in the USA some years ago, she got hold of some really cute footwear for my young ones. And now I’m hesitant to dispose of them because One, they’re soo cute. Two,  shoes like those cost HUGE much more in our Malaysian Ringgit. They hold such sentimental value. *sigh* I don’t know. Tsk.

I once heard a preacher tell us, “Try cleaning out your wardrobe and donating some of the clothes you no longer wear. You will find that pretty soon, clothes begin to miraculously fill up the wardrobe again!”

How true.

What say you?

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Keep only One credit card.. *gasp*

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

4119qttpn3l_ss500_1So, we continue our book review on our little ‘If I really wanted to Simplify my life I would…’ book.

To be honest, I almost wanted to skip this chapter for discussion here at A Woman’s Weekly because it’s such a touchy, touchy subject.

But then I thought, oh what the heck, let’s face our little demons Boys and Girls, and get it over with. Who knows, we may actually *gasp* learn something from it. Right? Right….

Anyway, comments will be closed after two weeks. :-P

Keep only One credit card

Always pay: for first or last you must pay your entire debt. – Ralph W. Emerson

There are few things that complicate life as completely as debt and the management thereof. So why not avoid credit cards altogether? Unfortunately, it is now impossible to rent a car, travel without carrying a large amount of cash, or carry out any one of a half dozen other functions we take for granted without at least one credit card.

So don’t cut up all your credit cards – cut up all but one and use that one sparingly. Imagine your life without the stress and anxiety of worrying about unpaid bills and the hours of free time you will find when you no longer have to pour over a stack of statements. Life will be much simpler.

Debt and worry are Siamese twins.

I just caught an episode on TV where Rachel decided to grow into her independence from her parents by cutting up the credit cards that she had on her that her parents were paying for. All that anxiety and still they make it funny enough to laugh. Ahh… those F.R.I.E.N.D.S… they crack me up all the time.

Anyhoo. I only want to say that I agree wholeheartedly with this chapter and I am working, slowly but  surely, on implementing all advice on debt management.

Your turn. ;-)

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Permission to say No

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

So, I decided to start a series of posts reviewing this little book that I just got.

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‘Tis the good reader that makes the good book’ said Ralph Waldo Emerson. As such, we’ll start off by reviewing one chapter per week. That way we can all let the lessons, insights and wisdom sink in. Let’s begin with…

Give yourself Permission to say “No.”

This will we do, if God permit. – Hebrews 6:3 KJV

We live in a society that is constantly challenging us to stretch beyond our limits and reach for the stars. Pleas for help and demands on our time and energies lie around every corner. But eventually, we have each to accept the fact that we cannot do it all. Freedom comes when we learn that such expectations are unrealistic and misguided.

Saying “no” frees you to say “yes” to those things that bring the greatest satisfaction and sense of well-being. It allows you to ‘de-clutter’ your life and restore balance. It is the first step to leading a simpler life.

Healthy boundaries allow us to be true to who we are and what we are meant to do.

I had an ‘aha’ moment after reading this chapter and told myself that this would be one of the first things I would put in place as the work of 2009 begins. And then I was asked to take charge of the Special Events committee in Church, the Hubby was elected into the Church Council and my first special event was scheduled for 1st March! That’s not to mention that I have revision with the Kids for their mid term tests in the middle of all that activity. So much for saying No. :cool:

All these events coming together however, was to the Hubby’s full knowledge and together we were able to anticipate the workload for the year. So with gracious kindness, the Hubby has acknowledged that our home chores will probably take a little back seat and we’re probably gonna be a little messier at home than we usually are, at least until my 1st March event is over. And when the Hubby has acknowledged it, his Wife finds relief.

So I guess in that way, I’ve given myself permission to say No to pushing for perfection at home, which is my ‘turf’ as it were.

What about you?

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