Mid-Autumn Festival

 Moon Cakes
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. From what I understand is Chinese and Vietnamese people celebrate this holiday. At night time we go outside, and look at the moon. There are 2 stories to how this festival came about. I only remember this story by how my family told it to me. I did kinda wiki it to brush up on some facts, so I can try to make this as correct as possible according to my family's story. As far as the folklore version goes it changes from family to family.

 Our family buys these treats around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Although there are some people who make their own. Moon cakes are pretty labor intensive, and hard to create a thin crust(my mom told me that the moon cakes taste better that way?) There are a lot of different kinds: some with meat, or with double yolks inside. I like mostly all of the flavors, but my favorites are the kind with the yolk inside, lotus seed, and Chinese date. The Chinese date is super flavorful! It tastes smokey, rich, sweet, and nothing at all like normal dates. You have to try it to understand!

Chinese Date Moon Cake

Lotus Seed with Pine Nuts Moon Cake

The inside! Left to Right: Date, Lotus Seed Moon Cake

The box! There's red bean, oolong tea, lotus seed, chinese date, date/lotus seed, chestnut, and mung bean.

I just love all the details on the moon cakes! I'm in love with just designs/patterns in general, but I have a soft spot for Asian stuff. First, they wrap a dough around the bean paste. Then they press the dough wrapped pastry into a wooden mold. After that they take it out of the mold and bake it multiple times. It also looks like there is an egg wash on these too. The pastry, to me always tastes a little dry(it's supposed to taste that way?), but it's still soft. It's kinda like a unsweetened, very dense soft cookie...almost like a bread. In Taiwan, there are bakeries that make some modern twists with these moon cakes. Some add mochi inside, use rice flour in the dough, and add chocolate inside.

Below, are the stories that are told to children during the Mid-Autumn Festival!

The Emperor and Chang Eu

A long time ago there were 10 suns on earth. So one day a goddess came to the emperor and asked him to shoot down 9 suns. After the emperor shot down the 9 suns; the goddess gave him 3 magical pills. She told him that he's was only allowed to take one pill. The emperor's wife's name was Chang Eu. She had heard that the emperor was awarded with the magical pills, and stole them from her husband. Chang Eu had always wished to live forever. So, she took all three pills, and wished for an eternal life. All of the sudden Chang Eu started floating higher, and higher until she reached the moon. It is said that there is an outline of her, and a rabbit on the moon.

Notes:

• I think I remember my grandpa telling me that the emperor had to go back each time to the goddess, to ask if it was still too hot!

•  When I went to Chinese School, one of our assignments was to write an essay about...what would we do? if we were awarded with 3 magical pills. I think, I said I wished that there were no homeless people or something like that. So what would you do?

The Mongols and the Chinese

During the Yuan dynasty, a part of China was taken over by the Mongols. During the Mongols reign, they took away metal items, or scrap materials that could be used as weapons. The Chinese were under constant watch. They weren't allowed to communicate with each other, or even write letters to each other. So then one day the villagers baked these pastries called moon cakes. They went around to each house passing them out. But there was something special about these moon cakes. When the villagers opened them up to eat, there was a note inside giving the details on overthrowing the Mongols. The villagers all got together on that day and overthrew the Mongols. The end!

Thanks for reading!!! This post was important to me, as an ABC(American Born Chinese) I want to remember the traditions, and holidays that my ancestors have celebrated. I want to try and  hold on to as much of my heritage as possible. So when it comes my time to be a mom or aunt I will be able to teach them about our history, and to be knowledgeable in general. I enjoy learning about history, different cultures. So please share any special holidays or traditions in your home!

Hugs and Kisses <3
Lulu

Annoyed with Andrew Zimmern

Before I even get started into this big mess...please read Andrew Zimmern's article.


http://andrewzimmern.com/content/bourdain-deen-bruni-redzepi%E2%80%A6and-why-it-matters

When I first read this article I was livid....that Zimmern had this point of view, and would just flat out and say it, when he himself fits into the category of being overweight. I just feel that if he came about the article with more understanding instead of sounding so judgmental, and elitist than he would've not had so many people on his case. Basically you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

My whole point is, if he decides that he wants to be a new promoter for healthy eating/being green, he should show us instead of sounding like such a jerk. I would've expected Anthony Bourdain to write up that article. From watching No Reservations the viewers can understand that he's a certain type of personality. Of course Anthony Bourdain is freaken amazing, but at the same time you know that he probably doesn't take shit from anyone...because he's made a name for himself. Everyone can guess that he's a big drinker, chain smoker, and has a mouth that spews out cuss words every few seconds. But we know that about him, and yet we still watch/listen to his shows because people respect him regardless. In the food industry all head chef's are like that. If you work the line, and mess up you get called out. A perfect example is Gordon Ramsay.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed watching Bizarre Foods was because he seemed like a nicer food critic/chef. Basically a show that you would allow your children to watch, because unlike Bourdain, and Ramsay...Zimmern seemed a lot more homely and personable. Most chefs are overweight...why? because they have a love for food! Why is America fat? Because America loves food. I'm not saying that America is fat from eating from eating pate, and pig feet. But everyone has their poison whether it be cheetos to cow tongue, both are high in fat.

Everyone knows that there is an obesity problem in America, but its time to find a resolution instead of pointing fingers to chefs that don't exactly make the healthiest foods. Michelle Obama, and Jaime Oliver are perfect examples, having their own campaign to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Changing the cafeteria lunches for kids in school. These people will go a lot further than just writing articles and getting their fans riled up about the topic. There are a few really healthy restaurants around my area like:

• The Wheel of Life
• Korean Tofu houses
• Taco Loco
• The Cyclery
• Flame Broiler (if you have a tight budget)
• Native Foods
• Gypsy Den

So shouldn't we be commending the families and corporations that open up restaurants that promote healthy eating? instead of focusing on the bad stuff? Sure restaurants usually use quite a lot more oil than we use at home. Which is why people shouldn't eat out too often.  If Andrew Zimmern decides that he has such a drive to promote healthy eating... he has the means to open a restaurant that only serves organic and healthy items.  Or maybe Zimmern should admit to the fact that it's ok to eat unhealthy...in moderation. Actions speak louder than words...Yes I found these picture on his Bizarre Foods website.

Is Chinese Take Out healthy?

Ohh! what about processed meats with fat?

I just had to add this one....Basically 2 days after posting his Paula Deen is the devil article, he decides to post a photo of his son eating some kind of fair food sandwich, which undoubtedly contains trans fat and tons of grease.

I'm not going to sit here and lie, I admit it I have a problem with food. If I didn't why else would I be fat? But to say that I'm fat because all I eat is junk is kinda wack. Of course, I'm the girl that will reach for the ice cream when I go through a break up. Just because I'm fat doesn't mean that I don't eat veggies. Food is a type of addiction...the worst kind I think. Why because if you're fat most people will judge you just because of the way you look. Walking down the street, would you have an easier time spotting the alcoholic or the fat girl? Right? everyone has their own issues, people should be more understanding of others. I'm working on me...but I can only do it one day at a time. I know that I'm unhealthy sometimes...We all live in the same world...but why is there so much hate? Anyways....I'm tired....I could keep talking until I die about this stuff...feel free to respond if you want....

Hugs and Kisses <3

Lulu

Celery Salad (Chinese Style)

This is actually another dish I made today. All the pictures were taking everything way too long to load....So as a short cut I decided to do another post today. I know most of my post's so far are food related....it's easier for me to do food blogs because I cook almost every day.... My next post will be about art! I promise :)

Celery Salad (Chinese Style)

 To start off, I'm not sure if this is a traditional Chinese dish. But we do eat a different variation with cucumbers. I remember my grandma and mom making this dish growing up as well. So let's just say it is Chinese! haha :) 

1. Take about 5 ribs of Celery and wash!

 

2. Now cut the celery in thin diagonal slices. I cut them diagonal slices, that way the sauce will be able marinate better through the cut edges of the celery. My slices were about 1/4 inch thickness.

3. Below are the ingredients to the sauce. The first spoon closest to you is the hot sauce, the second spoon from the front is rice vinegar, and the last 2 spoons are light soy sauce.

* I am biased because I grew up eating this brand but the picture below is the hot sauce I used. It isn't really hot, it just adds flavor.

4. Combine all ingredients with the celery. At this point you can taste it. If it is salty at this point don't worry, because the celery will lose it's natural juices so it will thin out the sauce. I personally, would've added a little sriracha, and more vinegar. But my mom doesn't eat really spicy or sour foods. I enjoy the salty, sour, spicy flavors.

5. So I would let it sit in the fridge for about 2-3 hours before serving. It is also really good the next day too, because the marinade will totally soak into celery. I really enjoy this dish in the Summer because it's a cold dish, and it's really healthy! you can eat the whole thing if you want to! It's basically like the Chinese version of pickles!

Enjoy!

<3
Hugs and Kisses Lulu

Tomatoes and Eggs

As usual...I had to make dinner again tonight. I wanted to start blogging more and decided to take some pics of what I made tonight! I've been feeling down the last few days...but I'll blog about that later on. Tomatoes and Eggs were a pretty traditional dish, I ate growing up.

Tomatoes and Eggs
     This is a fairly simple dish. The main ingredients are shown below. TOMATOES AND EGGS! You can use more or less of each ingredient...whatever you have on hand is good too! This is a go to dish when I realize we don't have any veggies in the fridge.

1. Dice the tomatoes into large 1 inch cubes

2. Crack the eggs in a separate bowl, and whisk until the whites and yolks are combined. Add a small dash of salt.

3. Heat up a non-stick pan with some oil, and fry the eggs. Constantly stir the eggs while they are still runny, so they will come out to be tender. 

 4. I usually only cook the eggs until they start clumping together. Be careful not to overcook it, because it will be cooked with the tomatoes later on. Place the eggs in a separate dish.

 5. Using the same pan add a little oil and add in the tomatoes to cook. Add a dash of salt to taste.

6. Cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat. The tomatoes should start looking like the picture below. You want there to be juices from the tomatoes in the pan. Don't cook it on high heat or else the juice from the tomatoes will evaporate!

7. Add the eggs back into the pan.

8. Stir in the eggs and tomatoes. In the picture above my scrambled eggs were still in fairly large pieces, so break them into some smaller pieces if you like. At this point I added some fresh cracked black pepper. You can also add in some finely sliced green onions into it now too! We usually don't add that, but I think it would be yummy!

9. This is really good with rice. Now it's ready to serve!

Enjoy!

Perfect Afternoon Thirst Quencher!

The past few days have been pretty hot. One Summer favorite fruit  I like to have is watermelon! Well with only 3 people in my family sometimes we don't have enough time to finish it before it goes bad. So last week we froze our leftover watermelon, and I decided to make a frozen version of agua fresca. All I did was add my frozen fruit to my blender, add a little water....and Tada! My awesome cold beverage! For 4 of July I made a similar drink with watermelon, strawberries, and raspberries! It was delicious! This would definitely be perfect with other fruits if you like. One recipe I have in my mind that I haven't tried yet is to freeze some cucumbers, and blend it. Maybe add a little lemon, and sugar for a spa inspired cool down drink! A frozen cantaloupe drink would be yummy too for those of you who have more of a sweet tooth! I think this is a much better alternative than stopping by a drink/boba/smoothie joint, since there are no added sugars, powders, or syrups!

Let's Introduce Ourselves :)

     For year's I have known people who have blogs, but never really got into it. But now as I have extra time on my hands, and have some important issues that I would really like to talk about. This is going to become a new creative outlet for me. I have always been into art, and attended Fashion School. So this whole writing thing is new to me, bear with me if I am a horrible writer, scatter brain, or write run-on-sentences! I am hoping to be accepted into this world! I also think since I am more secure with who I am, I'm able to share more in my blog. I am a chubby/big girl so there will be some posts about how society views weight, and where we big girls fit in. So my grand plan for my blog is to just be able to talk about everyday things, and experiences. I don't really want to just focus on one aspect of my life, because sometimes I might bore myself! So hopefully, I will have a few followers that will enjoy what I have to say :) Until next time!

hugs and kisses,

<3 Lulu