Slow Ageing and Slimming Dessert (2)

Hi folks! As a sequel from my first slow ageing and slimming dessert, I am introducing the second slow ageing, slimming and super duper tasty dessert (at least to me ,.... ^_^)! Previously, it was snow fungus. This time, it is winter melon *Grins*. Let's see what's the benefits of winter melon before I moved on to my recipe.

• Promotes cell growth and rejuvenation, therefore, you will have a smooth skin
• Get rid of toxin from kidney and liver. Toxin in the body makes you aged faster than you expect it to be.
• Helps body maintaining its temperature especially from now till October which is a very hot period in Singapore/Malaysia.
• Improves blood circulation, this carries oxygen more efficiently throughout the body
• Enhances our body immune system, a very good source for cold prevention.
• Since it contains high content of Vitamin C, it induces the collagen production that makes the skin supple and smooth. In addition, Vit C helps in removing the cholesterol levels in your blood stream.
• A great anti-oxidant (beta-carotene and Vit C) that repairs cells to prevent wrinkles as well as protection from sun.
• Stress and fatigue reliever (Vit B1, B2 and B12).
• Reduces water retention, which is a good way in slimming down if you have water retention problem.

It's a great choice and a very cheap way in getting pretty and healthy. Talking about it, I have not been eating this for a long time. Recently, my focus is on my beany meany and the snow fungus. Hmm ... I think I need to buy this melon and make them into soup so that I can have it for lunch. Else I will be A-G-E-I-N-G due to the stress, fatigue and my late night sleep!! Gosh!!!! I do not want to become and O-L-D H-A-G after I finish my PhD. Nooooooooo!!!

In addition to winter melon, I will add in lotus seed. My favourite!! You can easily get the dried lotus seed from TCM but you will need to soak overnight and remove the lotus heart which is a pain in the ass. Lotus heart taste very bitter. I dont think you will like it. Or alternatively, you can get a packet of fresh lotus seed if you have one around your area ^_^. Benefits of lotus seed include:

• Strengthen bones and teeth as they contains high content of calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
• It also promotes blood clotting (Vit K? cant remember) if you have an open wound.
• Contains high amount of phosphorus that helps in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fats effectively. Helps in slimming.
• Maintain the acidity balance of our body at the right pH.
• As you grow older, definitely you do not wish to get senile dementia. Regular consumption helps to improves memory and work efficiency as you gets older.
• It also helps to stop diarrhea and improves sleep (for those who are behaving like a nocturnal animal, you can try this rather than eating sleeping pills. but of course, the effects may be slow since it needs time to regulate your body)

OK enough with the benefits and all. Let's go to the preparation stage of this dessert. Preparation work is as simple as ABC.

What you need

• Winter melon (1 inch slice)
• Lotus seed (20-30)
• Red dates (based on your preference)
• Wolfberry (based on your preference)
• Honey sugar

How to do (Simplest task ever)

• Wash those that need to be washed and placed them into the slow cooker except honey sugar.
• Fill the water to your liking. (I love a lot of water!! It taste superb especially when it's chilled)
• Cook at low for 8 hours (cos I normally do this at night) or 4 hours at high. Or if you are using stove 1-2 hours is more than enough (medium fire). But slow cooker or crockpot (some who called it) is the best as it retains the water and it's hassle free.
• Lastly, add in the honey sugar (the amount is according to your preference).

It can be your breakfast, it can be your dessert and it can even be your supper. It's a great, simple and cheap dessert! Happy trying *wink* and I am off to bed.

Good night folks *kisses* and *hugz*

Slow Ageing and Slimming Dessert (1)

Every girls (maybe some guys too) is hoping for a young and youthful skin. Well, you might not feel it when you are at your early twenties but in your late twenties, especially when you are approaching thirty, the desire of sustaining your youthful look is getting stronger each day. Since ancient times, those empress and concubines had been feeding on bird's nest to slow down the ageing. Well, that's for the high-end kind of people to have. For a low-end people like me, we will opt for a low end product but with equivalent effect. That is snow fungus. Some info which I found on the benefits of snow fungus: -

• It contains Iron, Vit C, Calcium, Phosphorus
• Cure constipation as it lubricates colon and stimulate peristalsis (the way your intestines pushes the food down the colon and eventually out from your body)
• Nourish lungs, strengthen respiratory system and therefore, prevent cold
• Improves blood production and circulation that eventually bring a moisture-complexion to the skin.
• Prolong consumption will aid in removing wrinkles, freckles and stress marks
• It also reduces the harmful cholesterol in our body which reduces the risk of getting stroke and high blood pressure
• Prevents cancer

To select a good quality snow fungus, go to the TCM shop, do not choose the extremely snow fungus. Because normally they are bleached. To get a top quality find those with pale yellowish snow fungus. It can be stewed in soup with spare ribs or pork bones. But I prefer to make it into dessert and treat it as my breakfast. Making it is really an easy task. It will only take you 15 mins for the preparation.

What you need

• Snow fungus
• Red dates (good for the production of blood)
• Honey dates
• Wolfberry (good for eyes)
• Longan
• Honey rock sugar

How to cook

• Soak half a palm of the snow fungus for about one to two minutes or till it has soften. Soaking it with water will make the fungus grow bigger. If you dont like the dessert to be too viscous dont use too much. Tear into small pieces or big pieces according to your preference.
• Wash all the ingredients except the honey sugar (add the ingredients amount according to your preference) and put into your slow cooker.
• Put it in low mode and cook for 8 hours (best to do when you are about to go to bed) or put in high mode for about 2-3 hours
• Lastly, add your honey rock sugar and ready to serve.

If you cant finish it during the day after cooking, you can keep in the fridge for about a week. This dessert serves as my breakfast. It really works wonders but of course it has to be a long term eating. Eating for like six months once wont give you much effects.

Happy trying ^_^.