Recipes
Once you try this delicious recipe, you'll never want to have your smoothie any other way.
Yes, I've finally jumped on the wellness bandwagon. I now buy only organic produce, consume only plant-based milk, always making sure I load each of my meal with superfood, and adopted a vegan diet at home. The transition hasn't been easy, but I keep myself motivated by watching videos by YouTubers Cam & Nina for resourceful ways to jazz up my dishes.
When I first heard about smoothie bowls, I thought it was just going to be another short-lived cafe trend and swore never to try it. RM30 for a bowl of blended tropical fruits? In Malaysia? No thank you. Yet I noticed on YouTube that most vegans have smoothie bowls religiously either for breakfast or for lunch. They made it seem like being vegan is a breeze.
I always keep a box of ground seed concoction within reach. To prepare, I blend pumpkin seeds, white sesame seeds, brown flax seeds and golden flax seeds together until they are in a coarse powdery form.
Difficulty: Easy
1 ripe mango
2 tbsp instant oats
2 tbsp ground seed mix (ground pumpkin, white sesame, brown flax and golden flax seeds)
1 tbsp chia seeds
300ml plant-based milk
The Best 2-Minute Vegan Smoothie, Ever
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| The Best 2-Minute Vegan Smoothie, Ever |
Yes, I've finally jumped on the wellness bandwagon. I now buy only organic produce, consume only plant-based milk, always making sure I load each of my meal with superfood, and adopted a vegan diet at home. The transition hasn't been easy, but I keep myself motivated by watching videos by YouTubers Cam & Nina for resourceful ways to jazz up my dishes.
When I first heard about smoothie bowls, I thought it was just going to be another short-lived cafe trend and swore never to try it. RM30 for a bowl of blended tropical fruits? In Malaysia? No thank you. Yet I noticed on YouTube that most vegans have smoothie bowls religiously either for breakfast or for lunch. They made it seem like being vegan is a breeze.
 |
| 2-Minute Vegan Smoothie |
I always keep a box of ground seed concoction within reach. To prepare, I blend pumpkin seeds, white sesame seeds, brown flax seeds and golden flax seeds together until they are in a coarse powdery form.
 |
| Seed Mix: Superfood your body will love |
The Best 2-Minute Vegan Smoothie, Ever
Preparation time: 2 minutesDifficulty: Easy
Ingredients
2 large frozen banana1 ripe mango
2 tbsp instant oats
2 tbsp ground seed mix (ground pumpkin, white sesame, brown flax and golden flax seeds)
1 tbsp chia seeds
300ml plant-based milk
Preparation Method
- Put everything in a blender and blitz until thick, creamy and smooth.
- Serve in a cup as smoothie, as in a bowl topped with your favorite fruits and nuts as a smoothie bowl.
Myanmar
Travel
If you have traveled to Myanmar, there are three things that would have certainly caught your attention - the scorching hot weather, women with painted faces, and red splodges that artfully bedeck the floors.
Why do Burmese women paint their faces? Is it medicinal, decorative, or merely an age-long tradition that has been prevalent in the region?
Heading to Myanmar? Get ready to be wowed by the countless fascinating and intriguing Burmese cultures.
Why Do Burmese Women Paint Their Faces?
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| Why Do Burmese Women Paint Their Faces? |
If you have traveled to Myanmar, there are three things that would have certainly caught your attention - the scorching hot weather, women with painted faces, and red splodges that artfully bedeck the floors.
Why do Burmese women paint their faces? Is it medicinal, decorative, or merely an age-long tradition that has been prevalent in the region?
Thanaka: The Burmese Way of Beauty
Known as thanaka, the yellowish-white substance is derived from the barks of the Murraya tree. It has been used for over thousands of years in Myanmar as cosmetics – simply by grinding the barks into a paste that is applied onto the face in patterns deemed the most appealing for each individual. On top of that, thanaka is also loved for what is claimed to be its protective properties. It is used day-to-day as natural sunscreen to dutifully shield the skin from harmful UV rays and the sweltering weather.
This form of beauty is perhaps what makes Myanmar so incredibly unique. While many
native cultures are on a brink of extinction, the usage of thanaka is fortunately still widely practiced among Burmese women, children and a large number of men. It has become a part of the Burmese way of life, effectively distinguishing the country from the rest of Indochina. Nevertheless, the application of thanaka can be marginally observed in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, to which the practice has spread to.
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| Young Burmese boys with thanaka face paiting in Kyaikto |
The Making of Thanaka
The paste is made by grinding the bark with a small amount of water on a kyauk pyin - a circular slate slab. The barks can very commonly be found and the grinding process usually takes place at home. Ready made paste, however, are becoming increasingly available as technology gradually takes over the way things are produced in Myanmar.
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| Thanaka is derived from the barks of the Murraya tree |
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| Thanaka is made by grinding the bark with a small amount of water on a kyauk pyin |
Thanaka Application and Styles
The paste is customarily applied to the face in the form of circular patches on the cheeks. Those with more distinct patterns will instantly catch the eyes of curious passersby, whether in stripes or playful zigzags. The product bears the subtle fragrance of sandalwood while containing active ingredients such as coumarin and marmesin that makes it highly effective although completely unprocessed.
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| An elderly Burmese woman with thanaka face painting smoking a cheroot cigar |
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| A Burmese toddler with beautiful thanaka painted in the shape of leaves |
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| A Burmese girl wearing thanaka face paint in distinctive patterns |
Heading to Myanmar? Get ready to be wowed by the countless fascinating and intriguing Burmese cultures.
Happy traveling!
For related travel stories, click here.
Food
Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, iron, and calcium. When mixed with water, they can even be used to substitute eggs. This superfood originated from Central and South America, but has recently been introduced to the shelves of supermarkets in Asia. Tiny yet loaded with essential nutrients, these seeds are great whether eaten raw, cooked or in powder form.
So you've read all about the health benefits of chia seeds, but you don't really know of any other ways to consume them other than to sprinkle them over juices. Fret not, as listed below are 8 delicious ways to eat chia seeds which you can use to creatively incorporate them in your diet!
The more the merrier: Every type of seed comes with amazing benefits so don't hold back - add in sunflower, caraway, pumpkin, sesame, and poppy seeds for a super nourishing loaf.
Tips: Sugar is not necessary as the fruits already contain natural sweetness.
8 Delicious Ways to Eat Chia Seeds
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| 8 Delicious Ways to Eat Chia Seeds |
Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, iron, and calcium. When mixed with water, they can even be used to substitute eggs. This superfood originated from Central and South America, but has recently been introduced to the shelves of supermarkets in Asia. Tiny yet loaded with essential nutrients, these seeds are great whether eaten raw, cooked or in powder form.
So you've read all about the health benefits of chia seeds, but you don't really know of any other ways to consume them other than to sprinkle them over juices. Fret not, as listed below are 8 delicious ways to eat chia seeds which you can use to creatively incorporate them in your diet!
8 Delicious Ways to Eat Chia Seeds
Chia Pudding
Chia seeds are highly absorbent and clump together easily, hence are perfect for making your favorite puddings. To prepare, simply soak them in milk overnight and top them with fruits right before serving. Flavorings are optional yet delicious, so be generous with the cacao and cinnamon powders! |
| Delicious Ways to Eat Chia Seeds: Chia Pudding |
Bread
The next time you bake breads, remember to add a few tablespoons of chia seeds into them! Not only is it nutritional, you will also get that extra crunch in every slice. Chia seed bread is delicious when eaten plain or slathered with butter topped with sunny side up and avocado mash.The more the merrier: Every type of seed comes with amazing benefits so don't hold back - add in sunflower, caraway, pumpkin, sesame, and poppy seeds for a super nourishing loaf.
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| Chia Seed Bread |
Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowls are delicious and a breeze to make. Simply blend together your favorite frozen fruits, chia seeds and milk into a thick consistency. Serve it in a bowl, top it with more fruits and chia seeds. Bon appétit! |
| Smoothie bowls topped with chia seeds and fruits |
Jam
I stopped buying jams from the supermarkets as they contain mostly sugar and other highly-processed ingredients. Fortunately, making a jar at home is incredibly easy (and therapeutic) and requires minimal time. Simply cook the fruits on a saucepan over medium heat and mash them until you get a chunky texture. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently. Once cooled, add seeds and seal them in a jar!Tips: Sugar is not necessary as the fruits already contain natural sweetness.
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| Homemade chia seed jam |
Muffin
Chia seeds make the perfect replacement for eggs when it comes to baking. As a healthy vegan alternative, they enrich pastries, muffins and breads with added fiber and protein. |
| Muffins loaded with chia seeds |
Energy Ball
Love snacks as much as I do? Keep these energy-packed balls with you at all times for guilt-free snacking between meals! Most recipes do not even require an oven - just combine oats, chia seeds, peanut butter and honey until a dough is formed. Roll them into bite-sized balls, refrigerate for 30 minutes and they're good to go!
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| Energy balls with chia seeds recipe |
Crackers
Bake your own low-calorie crackers at home with just 2 ingredients: seeds and water! Combine all your favorite seeds and water and spread them as thinly as possible on the baking sheet and bake until crispy and golden brown. Love an extra kick? Add in all your favorite spices and herbs! |
| Chia seed crackers recipe |
Batter & Breading
Ditch those starchy white flours - you can now prepare a healthier coating for deep-frying using just chia seeds and cornmeal. As always, throw in your favorite spices for bold flavors. You can never go wrong with turmeric, coriander and cumin powder. |
| Chia seed breading for frying meat |
The sky is the limit when it comes to using chia seeds. Follow the ideas above to achieve a healthier diet and eating habits! For related articles, click here.
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