Hola!

Hola señoras y señores!

Am back from Spain and it was an absolute wonderful trip..Loads to update..In the mean time, here's a sneak peek ;) What d'ya think?

Hasta Luego

Hello dear readers,

Am off for the long awaited vacay. See u guys when I get back. Hasta luego!


- Jabberholic babbles from her iPhone

Experience of a Lifetime

Wonder why my last few posts were centred around TLC and Bob Blumer? Hehe. That was because I had recently won the grand prize for the "Experience of a Lifetime" contest organised by the channel itself!! For those who are clueless about TLC, perhaps you may remember Discovery Travel & Living Channel? The channel had recently rebranded itself and now known as TLC (Travel & Living Channel). Oh yeah, for those in Malaysia with Astro, it's on channel 707 ;)

Still can't believe this big win! Never knew the one week plus I spent in coming up with the answers to the contest's questions could lead me to this. Fyi, the contest requires subscribers to look out for 3 'passwords' aired randomly on TLC programmes and answer an open-ended question on why does one wanna meet the celeb of his/her choice.

Lost? Ok, rewind, rewind..

When the rebranding exercise of TLC took place in September recently, the channel launched the "Experience of a Lifetime" contest, giving fans all across Asia the chance to meet one of TLC's programme hosts. Fans get to pick one of TLC experiences and the grand prize winner will be selected for one - either to New Jersey to sample Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro’s delicious creations at his bakery, enjoy a home-cooked feast with Surreal Gourmet’s Bob Blumer at his home in Hollywood, sip tea with Bobby Chinn in the Middle East or join host Janet Hsieh in her show Fun Taiwan. So me, being a Bob Blumer fan from his Surreal Gourmet days, I had no problem in choosing whom I wanna meet ;)

When the telephone call came from TLC Asia office recently, I was utterly shocked! I was at home at that time, alone. I was in total disbelief, even after hanging up. Only when the reality sank in, I jumped and screamed like a mad woman and started dialling Mr Hubs and families to share with them the grrrreat news. Never did I imagine, selected as the grand prize winner when I submitted my entry earlier. I knew how slim a chance I had at that time, knowing TLC in Asia is watched by millions of subscribers in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong!

The prize? With all expense paid, I will be flying to LA in Q1 next year, with a partner (Mr Hubs of course!) to meet Bob and dine in his Hollywood home. TLC-Bob Blumer-LA-Hollywood? It sure feels surreal! A million thanks to TLC! A foodie and a traveller like me is truly overjoyed to have the chance to taste a little bit of the vicarious world of TLC! One thing for sure, life is anything but ordinary with TLC!

Monday Trivia : Olive Oil

Came across this youtube video and some questions I have in mind about my favourite type of oil answered. In this video, Bob Blumer answered a question on whether there is a difference between expensive and cheap olive oil. I use olive oil in all of my cooking except when a recipe calls specifically for other types of oil. For example, when baking red velvet cupcakes, I use the vegetable oil instead.

Anyway, according to Bob Blumer in this interview video, there won't be any difference. But you'll be insane if you use your expensive bottles for cooking. Spare your expensive ones for salad dressing instead.

My further research reveals that, there is a difference in taste depending from where the olive oil comes from. The difference is very subtle and only the experts could tell, not the ordinary consumers like us though. The difference normally stems from the different species, climate and soil condition of where the olives are grown. Spain, Greece and Italy are the main olive oil producers apparently. Hmm, I remember seeing only the Italian on the supermarkets shelves. Hence for me, the association between olive oil is always with Italy. Call me ignorant, but I have yet to find the others on my next visit to the supermarket.

But hey, guess what apparently between the 3 countries, Italy is the smallest producer and most of the oil that is claimed Italian could really be either Spanish or Greek or a combination of the two! But, Italy is the better marketeer! Well, I would say their marketing works! Again, for me olive oil is always Italian! Haha. Whatever it is, be it Italian, Spanish or Greek, it all tastes the same to me. Guess it all depends on the freshness, quality, our taste preference s (be it ordinary, virgin, extra virgin) and price. There you go, a trivia for your Monday blues. Will share some olive oil salad dressing recipes in my upcoming posts ya!

Un-Unified

It has been more than a week without the internet at home. Dang! So much for high speed broadband! Do something about it already, TM! Been calling them everyday, but kept getting the same feedback and passed to this and that department. From customer service to technical to software! It's tiring, you know! I wonder if I should downgrade back to streamyx or be on the lookout for services from other providers. How do you guys get connected at home?





- Jabberholic babbles from her iPhone

Blumer Who?

Everybody knows Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and Anthony Bourdain. The hot TV domestic goddess, the naked chef and the sarcastic touring cook would normally be how people around me describe these celebrity chefs respectively. But mention Bob Blumer, I get blank stares. Well, at least from people who do not switch to the cook shows on TV.

I am a fan of Bob Blumer! It was love at first sight when I saw him on TLC, which was formerly known as Discovery Travel & Living Channel (on Astro's 707). Have you guys seen that guy with the tornado hairdo (or Marge Simpson's ?) cooking and touring in in the toaster mobile? The programme is called Surreal Gourmet and it centres around Bob cooking and hosting dinner parties over 30 states in that creatively designed mobile. The food were prepared and presented in ways that were anything but ordinary. Imagine, poaching salmon in dishwasher, cooking in the dark and making baseball-shaped shepherd's pie!

Blumer's latest show, which he hosts and co-created is called Glutton for Punishment. The series, now in its 4th season on TLC, is made up of food-related challenges. In each episode, he is given 5 days to become proficient in the episode's featured specialty. And then with his new acquired skills, he goes against the experts in the fields. He either ended up surprising the experts by acing the challenges or accepting defeat humbly. One thing I truly admire about Bob is the fact that how genuinely enthusiastic he is in all his shows and also that he is no cocky guy! In the recent episode, he challenged tea masters in a Kung Fu Tea Challenge in China.

The foodie, traveller and adrenaline junkie that I am is able to instantly connect to this great culinary adventurer's personality and out-of-this world shows. Oooh, I sure have an endless list of questions to ask him if I ever get to meet him in person! *hint! hint* TLC ;) Apart from having tried making some of his gourmet looking and delicious but easy recipes, I have also recently redesigned my small kitchen without having to renovate and spending a cent! Check out the featured video on his webbie http://www.bobblumer.com/ for his 10 DIY practical kitchen design tips. Blumer is certainly one heck of an imaginative culinary personality. I look forward to more extreme epicurean quests, engaging stories and practical tips from him. Tune in to Glutton For Punishment on TLC on Wednesdays at 9.30pm. Repeats on Thursdays (3.30am, 8.30am & 3.30pm) and Sundays (11.10am). M'sian time ya ;) He'll be attempting to eat 40 feet (!) of raw nettles and mastering the art of sushi making in the coming episodes. Enjoy!

Note : Pics googled

TLC

OMG! OMG! Am still shaking while writing this! Just received a great piece of news from my ever favourite channel on TV! Will surely blog more about this but one thing for sure, TLC rocks!

- Jabberholic babbles from her iPhone

Masak Campak-Campak

I tend to become creative with cooking when :

a) There's not much left in the fridge
b) There are leftovers from the day before
c) The raw materials on the shelves are nearing their expiration dates
d) Am just plain lazy

Here are some of my lazy-creative dishes..Haha..

Nachos - Organic tortilla chips with leftover bolognese sauce + homemade guacomale dip + grated cheddar and parmesan cheese + sliced pickled jalapenos

Seared bananas - Overly ripe bananas + shaved parmesan + raw cane sugar

Omelette - Eggs + milk + green apples + pepper + shaved parmesan

Hmmm..they are all with cheese ay? Yupp, am one cheese lover here, y'all!

Look Better Naked

I am a fan of Women's Health Magazine and had recently came across an article on the book called 'Look Better Naked'. The book's created by the magazine's Editor-in-Chief and has been receiving good response all over the world. The book's all about you having a good 'nude attitude' and then believing and ultimately living a lifestyle that centres around you as a healthy and good looking person. You know how sometimes when you strip down in front of the mirror and find yourself crinching at your own reflection? "Ohhh, when is that bulge will ever disappear?" "Ooh, when did that flabby arms appear?" "Oooh, I now have cellulite?" Sounds familiar?

Don't think I'll buy the book but the article on cleansing's kinda interesting. You know how people are currently raving about detoxication. Notice the abundance of detox products sold in the pharmacies? Well, my favourite is the apple cider vinegar but I might try this 2-day cleanse plan one day. One fine day! Haha..Anyway, here's sharing it with you guys. Credit to Women's Health Magazine. You guys have your own detox recipes or plans?

The Cleanse Plan is to jump-start whatever weight loss plan you have, make you feel healthy, drop some water weight and never leave you deprived ;)

Breakfast : Light shake

• Blend 1 cup skim milk
• 1 cup berries
• 1 tsp peanut butter (or flaxseed oil)
• 1 cup of ice until frothy
• You may add cocoa powder (yeay!)

Snack

• 1 cup sliced cucumbers
• 1 cup green tea

Lunch

• Steamed or raw greens (romaine, spinach, mesclun mix, lettuce, bak choy, arugula etc)
• 4 oz lean protein (white meat, firm tofu, lean beef, fish)
• 2 tsp oil (olive, sunflower, walnut) - use oil with some herbs as vinaigrette to saute greens and protein source
  

Snack

• 10 asparagus, blanched (can dip in non-fat yogurt or swirl Dijon mustard for taste)
  
• 1 cup green tea

Dinner

• Steamed or raw greens
  
• 4 oz lean protein
• 2 tsp oil
  

Have fun detoxing peeps! ;)

Baby Names

This may seem seriously premature. But to the mothers and mothers-to-be, do you have good books or websites to recommend for Muslim baby names? I know they are in abundance out there but I haven't come across a good one. Am particularly looking for baby names starting with E and Z.

Why now, so soon you wonder? Just wanna start researching earlier, regardless of what the IVF results would be later. No worries, at least I have something else better to think about instead of which coveted bag should I get my hands on kan? (Which I'm currently guilty of, of course!) Haha.

Thanks in advance peeps! You're the best! Hugs!


- Jabberholic babbles from her iPhone

It's All Worth It!

Was super busy and super tired yesterday! Didn't think about what to prepare for dinner at all. Was thinking of asking Mr Hubs to just pack some food on his way back from work until I opened the fridge and there they were; leftover steaks with the black pepper sauce as well as the orange sauce cooked the night before.

Chopped some garlic and sliced the steaks. Browned the garlic. Poured the leftover black pepper and orange sauce. Chucked in the steaks and then some veges. And finally, stir fried all that with my favourite organic brown rice vermicelli. Verdict?

This came from Mr Hubs, "This is the best noodles ever! I'm glad that I married you!". Awwww, isn't that sweeeeeet? I know it's just a simple dish cooked out of leftovers, as a result of me being too tired (or just plain lazy?) but having Mr Hubs said that, I knew it's all worth it. Hilang rasa letih (and malas?) Now, what should I cook today? Hmmm..

Tried and Tested - The French Recipes (Finally!)

Remember some time ago I posted the recipes obtained from Laura Calder's cooking demo? Well, after months, I finally tried them. Verdict! I was damn proud of myself! Hahaha! And one important thing I discovered from trying the recipes was how fast it was to cook them. The ingredients may seem like a long list, but hey, almost all of them are the every day stuff that you'd probably already have in your kitchen anyway. So ladies (and gentlemen) out there, put your gourmet chef hat on and have these for dinner tonite. Trust me, you'll be saying ooh-laa-laa all nite long.

Cheat notes from Chef Jab ;)

Asparagus with orange sauce
- Mustard : I used ground mustard, it worked the same
- Vinegar : Used white distilled vinegar

Steak Au Poivre
- Peppercorns : I used the normal coarse black pepper and no, I didn't soak them in tea
- Beef stock : Used the cube beef stocks
- Creme fraiche : Used heavy cream

Potato Gratin
- Nutmeg : I skipped it

When I'm Silent..

..it means I've been swamped with so many things..Here's an entry to say that I do miss all of you.. Blame it on the doctor visits, acupressure sessions, business development, babysitting, bla..bla..bla..(Excuses! Excuses!) Look forward to babble again soon..Soon peeps, soon! Hugs!

Jabberholic's Designer Sale

Hello dear readers,

As promised, the following are the new and pre-loved authentic designer goodies for sale.

Bought in Italy

Emillio Pucci Pochette
Pre-loved
Excellent condition
Chic little bag
Handle is red leather with two silver metal Pucci snaps
Handle can be snapped undone to reveal the innards of the bag
Comes with a dustbag
Approximate measurements : 8" x 4" x 3.75"

Status : Sold

Fendi Denim Large Chef Bag

Pre-loved

Excellent condition

Blue denim
Fendi F logo design

Brown leather accents and trim

14" brown leather strap with 8" drop

With circular Fendi medallion charm

Comes with a dustbag

Approximate measurements : 14" x 9" x 3.5"

Status : Sold

Tod's Wave Ladies Casual Shoes

Pre-loved

Excellent condition

Black suede leather

Silver tone hardware

Signature Tod's spokes
Rubber soles
Soles : Approximately 10" long, 3.5" at its widest

Size 7
Comes with shoebags and box
Status : Sold

Bought in Switzerland

Gucci Occhiali Sunglasses
Pre-loved
Excellent condition
Plastic frames, mix of black, brown and white 'bambooish' colours
Slim stem with signature G logo details
Comes with Gucci case and Gucci paperbag
Front piece approximately measures 5" wide x 1.3" tall
Eye bridge approximately 0.5"
Status : Sold

Bought in France

Furla Suede Leather Shopper Handbag

Pre-loved

Very good condition, with slight marks on one side of the gold handle ring
Beautiful brown suede with leather trim

Slouchy

Split compartment

Magnetic closure

Comes with a dustbag and Furla paper bag

Handle drop 8"

Approximate measurements : 16" x 12" x 5"

Status : Sold

Bought in USA

Coach Soho Tonal Denim Swingpack

Pre-loved

Excellent condition

Outside open slip pocket with double buckles

Zip-top closure

Comes with a dustbag

Approximate measurements : 7.5" x 8.5"

Status : Sold

Etienne Aigner Mini Bag

Pre-loved

Excellent condition

Cute bag for outing with the girls or weddings, suitable when you don't want to bring the whole house with you ;)

8" leather strap with 5" drop

Approximate measurements : 8" x 6" x 2.5"

Status : Sold

Bought in UK

French Connection Olive Viscose Top
NEW, unworn
Size 14
Slim-fit
Status : Sold

Bought in Spain

Bally Leather Ladies Boots

Pre-loved

Moderate, can be waxed to make them look brand new

Squared moderate 1" heels

Dark brown leather with leather and rubber soles

Side zips
Shaft height measures approximately 5" above arch
Soles : Approximately 9.5" long, 3.5" at its widest

Size 36

Status : Sold

Bought in Singapore

Samsonite Laptop Bag
NEW
Brown canvas
Approximate measurements : 15" x 12" x 2.5"
Fits up to 14" laptops
Many document and zipped compartments
Comes with double handles and a long strap
Status : Sold







Bought in KL

Samsonite Laptop Backpack
Pre-loved
Very good condition
Black canvas
Approximate measurements : 15" x 15" x 6"
Status : Sold

Thanks darlings!!

- xoxo -