Ramen for a quick fix anyone?

Gourmet Ramen Noodle Soup with Prawns...and egg, and vege

I love ramen noodles every once in a while especially when I am really busy and tired and all I wanted was a bowl of steamy noodle soup. It's not the healthiest food to eat but if you add in a few other nutritious ingredients, they might even be better than some fast food you get out there.

All you need is a pack of remen noodles with seasonings. I like chicken or shrimp flavors, with sesame oil.

• Ramen instant noodles
• Bok choy or other green leafy vege
• at least 6 prawns, I left the shell intact, and slit an opening to devein and clean
• few drops of sesame oil
• white pepper powder for some kick
• an egg for extra protein, optional

Cook noodles separately, let the water boil, drop in noodles, dish up into a serving bowl when noodles start losening. I like mine slightly firm, besides it will continue to cook when you add hot broth later. Boil sufficient water to make broth, add half pack of seasoning or to taste (since prawns add sweetness to broth). Firstly, add prawns, let a quick boil then simmer, dish up when prawns begin to turn pink, dish up and put on noodles. Proceed on to adding vege til leaves wilted slightly, again I like to make mine slightly crunchy, dish up and add on top or side of prawns. Lastly, whisk up an egg or drop whole in the simmered broth, cook to doneness or the way you like it. Add a few drops of sesame oil and dashes of pepper. Pour broth over noodle bowl. Viola! It's really tasty!

Safer Beauty...a good find

Ever question the wisdom of applying chemicals like phenoxyethanol to your delicate skin? What is it anyway? Well, let's say it's a cancer causing ingredient in most of the skin care we use everyday. We all want to look good and feel good about our skin. And we are tempted to try out any skin products out there that claim can treat certain skin problem, well, we maybe putting our skin in harms way, at least in the near future. I personally feel that expensive items aren't necessarily effective and beneficial. They can easily contain more harmful ingredients that we aren't familiar with. Have you ever wondered those big confusing ingredients listed on the label. Myself, for one don't usually bother to find out what they were. I recently found out about this website launched by the non profit environmental working group, and it's easy to use website that provides information on more than 25,000 personal care products and nearly 7,000 ingredients. Searchable by brand, type, and ingredient, the site ranks products according to known risks. Also worth bookmarking: it's "What not to buy" list. Keep these worst offenders out of your beauty regimen.

Food For Thought...of the day

What are ...Anthocyanins?

Anthocyanins give many fruits and vegetables their deep blue, red or purple hue. For that reason, these pigments are sometimes used as a natural food coloring. More than just a source of pretty color, though, anthocyanins have substantial health benefits, too. A recent study from Ohio State U. shows that these compounds can slow the growth of certain cancers. To reap the rewards, stock up on brightly colored produce such as raspberries, blackberries, bilberries, radishes, and purple corn.

The best time to stock up these colorful nutritional berries is in Summer to late Summer. I like to pick blackberries from our neighborhood backyards. And I have baked them in muffins, lemon cakes, and simply eat them fresh. Sprinkle a loadful on top of cereals is one of our fave morning power breakfasts. Other ways of eating colorful fruits and veges. is to load up with colorful bell peppers. Bell peppers as far as I know is one of the tastiest veg both for kids and adults. Another of my fave fruits is Pomegranate. I remember growing up in my home with pomegranate trees in front of our yard. I will update this subject with photos when I get my hands on these tasty seedy fruit.