Weight Watch

After a long thought and many change of title's, I have decided "That One Name"

The Girl Who Ate Malaysia - catchy kan? Well, quite honestly, not so much of having it catchy but more to reflect what this girl is all about.

Stripping down my social status and education, end of the day, I just a plain yindian, malaysian woman in her mid twenties, that loves her durians, beef, pork and more durians!

Initially, I started of a year ago, looking for cheap and affordable joints that I would recommend for pigging out. Which after awhile, it was less of a success. Life can't be stagnant, still has to go on no?

Then, I decided to write about my mind, rather what I feel in encyclopaedic impetuous marbles clogs of mine. Which then the "revolutionary birth" of sensitive posts, whereby I strongly believe you would have witnessed and wondered.

Moving on, my current addiction or may I say life goal, is being fit all over again. See, adding weights and baggages into your life and body, is super easy. Discarding them of your body, shoulder and life itself; not so much of an easy task.

Not diverging any further, I weighed about 90 kilo's.

The love handle dangling one my left arm should give you an illustration of how a 90 kilo would have weighed in that attire.

I am about 5'8 and so I was told, my BML, height and weight, is irrelevant variables to each another. Of course, bulges bulging away in dresses and skirts, was not pleasant either.

So, with an adamant determination, I started all over again, WEIGHT WATCHING. For starters, I was looking at a long term results, to tone up and slim down. Therefore, I kicked off from a much slower pace.

First thing that I did was, reduced the portions of my food intake for the day (this was in gradually); I kept a note book with me, which I used to jot down the type of food and calories I was consuming in a day. There was definitely exercises but at a slower pace.

I used to hit the gym, I had a mediocre personal trainer (who made me look beefy just like him) and attempted crazy diet programmes.

What I have learnt over this many unsuccessful try outs, all you need to do is, keep up your cardio level, build muscle mass and work on toning the built muscles.

I would say, to get your desired result, you need discipline, pure discipline that is. Four meals a day and refrained my self from binging, that was half of a championship all ready.

Now, when you decide what you should and should not put into your body, cooking for your self becomes the next best alternative, for you know freshness and quality is there and more accurate calorie count.

I pack my lunch mostly to work these days and here's few samplers that I whipped up for hassle free lunch.
Of course there was more breakfast and dinner recipes I attempted but I'll share in the next posting.

Now, all this self confinement, got desired results or not?

Almost two months down the road, I have lost four kilos' now. Am I happy? Well, I am happy I am seeing results but this was not my goal. Terraine to reach my goal, still long way to go.

The key is, eat balanced and exercise as equivalent to the calorie in take.

Ta for now,

I shall be back!

ROA by Jovian Mandagie

It is the fourth day of Syawal and wishing you folks out there, Salam belated Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir dan Batin. It has been one year now since I got this blogspot running, 365 days and I am still surviving, blogging.

While the whole nation was observing the holy month of Ramadhan right before the birth of Syawal, I had the opportunity to savour, mildly tuned, Manadonese cuisine for Iftar with a friend.

This outlet is neatly tucked in the bustling neighbourhood of Bangsar. We stumbled upon this outlet by "accident" and accident, I mean by unintentional discovery. Fret not, I am well and alive, rocking!

We stepped into the outlet with an open mind, well, "JO-VIAN", sounds Italian right? Well, with the help of googl-ing and "some look around and read brochure placed at the counter", I soon learnedthat, this outlet in Bangsar, is the second outlet opened in Klang Valley. Baby boomer of this outlet is located in Shah Alam.

ROA specializes in Manadonese, cuisine, entirely.

Manado cuisine or Minahasan cuisine is the cooking tradition of Minahasan people of North Sulewasi, Indonesia. It is popularly known as "Manado cuisine" after Manado city, the capital of the province. Manado cuisine is known for its rich variations seafood, daring amount of spices, extra hot condiment, exotic meats, and European-influenced cakes and pastries. 

Mine is an Indian tongue that can take serious amount of heat and spice well but I tell you, this fare, is SPICY!.

A forethought that I would certainly advise, the food menu in ROA, Bangsar is limited. Therefore, if you are feeling adventurous all out on Manadonese meal, do head to the Shah Alam outlet.That outlet has an extensive list of dishes available.

We started of with, 

Tinutuan (in clear boullion)

I believe, this was a palate cleanser prior meal, I think. Sweet scent of ginger and spices lingers in every spoonful that you sip. There were also cubes of sweet potato and a root vegetable, which was so familiar to my palate.Hey, it was one the house too.  4/10

Nasi Goreng Rica

I am an enormous fan of nasi goreng (fried rice) and this was amongst the best fried rice that I have tasted thus far. The rice was fluffy and had a bit of crunch to it. Flavour full and bits of crispy fried shallots, good stuff. The plate came adorned with the fried rice, fried egg (not a great shout out), ayam rica (spicy chicken, baby bite nibblets) and not your regular fried fish cracker. 6/10.

                                       

Mie Ayam

Yes, it is spelled as "mie ayam". House made chicken ball floating in flavoursome soup, with shredded chicken, shallots and few other tasty bits in it. You may want to add a little chilli padi in it, for it may be, for me, lacking in heat. 7/10.

Mie Soto

This is your "soto", luscious and savoury. The soto consisted of rice vermicelli noodles steeped in that broth. Alongside of shredded chicken, a half boil egg and home made dumpling bean curd. Let you not be fooled with the bright orangey and warm chilly dip, it literally sets your tongue on fire. The soto is served with rice but you may choose not have any. 7/10.

Nasi Manado

 Well, this dish was a tad bit disappointing for me. This was more like a nasi campur (mixed rice) with combination of all ready cooked and kept dishes. There was ayam rica, sapi rica (spicy beef), serunding and chicken in coconut broth. If you are not a spice eater, I forewarn you that, do skip this dish. Both chicken and beef coated in spicy, fiery gravy, will torch your tongue. 4/10.

Esteller

A definite dessert to end the fiery meal. This beverage is not only available in Manado, it is a staple drink throughout Indonesia. Sweet and decadent, with chopped avocado and young coconut flesh. 5/10

ENID BLYTON

It was a great pleasure to bump into my very first writing guru's random title after many years and book was used as a bill bearer. Cool right?


ROA was an experience, a curtain raiser to Manadones cooking. I would certainly recommend ROA for "adventurous" try outs. A meal for two is just right under RM 50.00. Reasonable and not too pricey.

What is your story like with ROA, if you have any?

ROA by Jovian Mandagie
NO 16,J, 59100
BANGSAR, KUALA LUMPUR   

Mocha Tofu Cheesecake (top) and Peanut Butter Cake (bottom)

Of  course, it will be a sinful lie if I did not tout with you my dessert rendezvous for the night. Coffee Coffea, a little further down the road from ROA. Scrumptious desserts and ambience.


Coffee Coffea
2, 11, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 
59100 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Bits and Pieces

31st December, 2014, i was on my way home stinking of alcohol scent from Lake Club. No, no, no.. hold that horses back firmly my fellow china plates, it was an office lunch in conjunction of "New Year" and my male colleagues and boss drank (alcohol) their hoofs off and i told myself, damn! "year's ending and i'm celebrating it with fever and cold"...

Well, nothing changed much when March, 2015 breezed in, just that i have this nagging cough that "nags" me occasionally.

Good start for first week of March, 2015. I had some shorts trips here and there and managed to binch here and there as well. This post is not a full write up on my pigging out, a minute recognition to some stop by's and fill up's i encountered recently.

Pandi's (Not pan-dii) Banana Leaf Rice

Banana Leaf Rice, well i aint no great maître dire expert in banana leaf rice, all that i know it is comfort food 101. Imagine you had the most shittiest day that and all that can't go wrong actually went wrong. Therefore, to overcome this anxiety filled fateful day, please, have a banana leaf rice meal.

By looking at it, makes you feel good already, at least for me.

I had mine (the terrible day cure) couple of weeks back in Sri Pandi's, Brickfields. I had the regular banana leaf rice with a piece of freshly fried fish, crispy skin, firm flesh, rightly seasoned with masala (se melanger of curry powder paste and whatever not). I doused every peck of rice grain on my leaf with "Tou-seh murungai" sambar. Sambar, as you know typically dhall curry and this version of it is cooked with loads and loads of "tou-seh murungai" vege. Mother had the same spread, except she opted for the mock mutton. Overall, good food and excellent "mourru ice" (Iced Buttermilk). 8/10- RM 30.00 for two with two pieces of kesari tambah as add on, Sri Pandi's Brickfields.

Berjaya Mee Kari 

This humble bowl of kuey teow and mee campur in runny yet flavourful curry broth can be found in Bangsar. Now, hold your breath...my bowl was filled with chunky pieces of tender chicken, which i believe, it can only be achieved if you let the meat to cook in broth/curry/soup for a very long time, tauhu yang sangat sedap and fish roll. Damn! It was a a good bowl of heartyness, only that the broth was too runny for my Indian tongue. See, being a Kuala Lumpur bred chic, Bangsar is not so foreign to me and for being introduced to this joint neatly tucked in Bangsar and not knowing about its existence was indeed a shame shame puppy shame. Restaurant Berjaya, serves up local fares like mixed rice with lauk pauk, yong tau foo and great eye candies like mix malay men, that is to besides the point. 6/10-would have give it a "8" if only the curry wasn't too thin and watery, RM 8.00 (i think its reasonable for Bangsar pricing and by the time i left the shop, i was pumped, in a wholly satisfied way)



Yindian, Vegetarian Nasi Campur

Clockwise from left, Ikan Bakar (Vege), Mix Vege Stir Fry and Mutton Varuval (Vege). Believe it or not, this was freshly cooked and served in Gopala's Brickfields, at 7.45pm. Of course, to enhance my curvacious figure line, this scrumptious spread was accompanied with a plate of white rice. The so call soy processed slab of meat grilled (Ikan Bakar) was actually good. Looking at our table, the patrons next to us ordered the "fish" and had the same expression as myself, vow-ed. The stir fried was tasty and i managed to finish it without having my mum to coax me finishing it. However, the mock mutton varuval was tad bit dry though, would have been TEN FINGERS up, if it was a little moist. Other then that, good stuff and if vegetarian meals are cooked this excellent, i mind not being a vege-enthusiast, one awhile la. 8/10 and the whole meal plus two sugarless lime drink and take away was RM 41.00. Gopala's Restaurant, Brickfields




Delicious, night it was

Ce repas extragavant  was a treat from my very pretty friend of mine yesterday night. Well, its from Delicious and you cant go wrong, can you? The one topped with basil leaf was my plate, Aglio Olio Les Seafood. It was symphony of flavours in my mouth with that all that fresh seafood, plump and juicy and Oh my God. We ended the dinner with good fun, laugh, a tall glass of chocolate sunday and insecure-ly i asked her if she would allow me to share the dessert. What?.....
She hid the bill from me and i roughly guess that would be RM 60.00 for two us? 8/10, Delicious Bangsar.



Nasi Lemak Teh Tarik Place, Bangsar 

Quite honestly, i think the mak cik's vendoring outside Menara UOA would have kept me happy with their cooking. The chicken was still bloody inside, this happens when you fry meats with bone without thawing it completely. The sambal was not sweet or spicy or even near a sambal like. Tasted more like concoction of blended chilli, bland of course, Chili giling burns your tongue kan? No, it burnt my hati lebih with this dish being sadly awful. The rice was lets not even talk about it and I enjoyed the boiled egg thoroughly. It was hearty and eggy. In conclusion, my loyalty remains with the aunties selling on roadsides, at least after this la. 3/10-RM 9.50 (why 0.50 discount on making it even RM10.00 heartbleed, i am not so sure).

So, i shall stop for now. As i have always said in my previous post, "you only live once, live it to the fullest!" Besides, i need to attend a dinner tonight, need to doll up. Ciou!

Hoagies Hauz

So its moments away from Monday blues,

A little birdie told me that the highways heading back to Kuala Lumpur, jam giler! Anyway, i stayed back and did my usual foodscapade voyage. Although, i vowed and started blogging with the intentions that i shall devote my life to affordable and old school eateries, i splurged luxury in this holidays. For i was entertaining visitors and i felt like extending my budget a little.

Hoagies House

First and foremost i think it is pronounced as HO-AGIES HOU-esszz, i think and please do correct me if my french seem nowhere near french. Located at the fifth floor of Nu Sentral, a cosy little corner next to the"Golden Screen Cinemas". Now, pigging out this place was purely incidental. The plan was to behave like a decent goon in the cinema hall at GSC watching Dhanush in his latest flick, Anegan. All the tickets for the day and evening showtime were sold out, except the late night show. Got that and while we (myself and foodies in crime) decided to "lunch", "She" stood out inviting then any other joints. Its all American classic sandwiches gone wild. Toasties, melts, po'boys and you name it.

Walking into Hoagies, you feel this warm embrace that makes you feel at place. This joint, from my observation is ran by duo of mother and daughter, or at least the mummy running the kitchen, i think. The concept is simple, you scan through the menu, ask your tongue and stomach feels like having today and after ten intense minute and self monologue, you place your order at the counter, pay, pick a seat and wait. As quoted by the sexy kitchen femme au foyer, Nigella Lawson, "The hardest part in any labour in "waiting". So we waited and fifteen minutes later our dishes were served.


This is their one of their signature dish, "Cheezy Mac", shall you not be fooled by the hefty portion of heart attack. Its flavourful and i had a wince of of what cheesegasm would probably feel like. Petite portion but with flavour of course. Eat it while its hot. 6/10

We had a vegetarian with us and she decided the "Nyonya Seven Inches", not sure if a baba nonya macha comes seven inches but their bread does and it was fully, wholly for the vegetarians. This seven footer tasted more like rendang to me.

       

I had this and i added extra topping of avocado spread (RM 3.50). Turkey Banh Mi and it was alright.The flavours were mild and didn't quite deliver to "Banh Mi-ness" Quite bland to taste but there's this house made chili sauce which ill certainly recommend you to drizzle some or so, spicy and smoky. The sauce resurrected the sandwich, IMHO, indian tongue no?

Finally for dessert, we had the "Nutella Toasties"..well not that they have much option either for "sweet tooth" like myself. I seriously suggest that you to eat it while its pipping hot. Cold + mushy = Alamak big time! 4/10

All their sandwiches, wraps and even sweet toasties comes with this bright yellow chips. That's not handmade and that's a big NO-NO after you have prepared everything from scratch. NO..NO! 

Of course, there's our thirst quencher, clock wise from right, Honey Lemon Punch, White Coffee for yours truly and Fresh Lemonade. 5/10

Would i ever return to Haogies? Yes i'll and they have my patronship loyalty.

What about you folks? Been here before?

P/S: they have breakfast promo too, all local fares.

Hoagies Hauz

Level 5 Nu Sentral Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 10am - 10pm

Sambal Sauce

Kuala Lumpur,

There's no place like Kuala Lumpur, the streets, the hustle, the bustle, the warmth, the scent and not to forget the food.

Smitten by reminisce of time, i strolled in Brickfields, never failing to be amazed with what Brickfields has to offer. Thinking back, five years ago i used to clad my bag tightly and walk to college. Macha's in kapcai and darkest of tone and wispiest of voice was a look out and today, my goodness, Brickfields is like Little Bangsar now (Hak Cipta Terpelihara Sendiri).

In conjunction of my comeback to "foodescapading", one particularly restaurant located in Nu Sentral, caught my attention. In fact it has always been captivating my attention and i decided to give it a try on Monday.

"Sambal" is located at the front rear entrance of the upcoming hip joint Nu Sentral. See, naturally when you think of "Sambal", your mind is immediately filled with sparks of heaty and fiesty emotions. Well, i would love to elaborate on how Sambal elevates senses and emotions but beats the point of restaurant hopping leh.

Stepping into the restaurant, your immediately greeted by half sober floor staffs that didn't look so pleased when i entered into the dining area. Picking the seat close by the windowsill, i waited, waited and waited to be at t least acknowledged. Twelve minutes late, one little blurry waitress came by and placed the menu and looked at me nervously. No, I have no idea why "nervousosa" looking at me.

Scanning through the menu, i came to two imminent conclusion. There' is no "sambal or sauce" in any of the dishes listed in the menu and for a poshy and elegant outlet as such, theres seriously limited varieties of dishes being offered. Cant say its at its soft launch stage, for i heard some nattukaren FM hosted their party at this joint. Mostly Malay dishes and some fusion. Some that is.

Anyway i opted for "nasi goreng kampung" (it has been super while since i had one), a side dish which was from the lunch buffet line and Ribena Soda Lime, sounds classy kan?

 The left overs from what i think is from the buffet lunch from lunch,

It was a small portion for RM 9.90, the chicken was cold and ligat, kerepok was oily and the only passable flavour was the freshly fried rice. 4/10

This was "daging masak kicap", though it looked cold. i was greedy and it was a mistake i regret til today. The portion served to me was of course was super tiny and it was filled with fat, fat and fatty pieces of beefy fat. No, it was horrible, there's no congeries in yucky fat. 2/10

She was the ultimate star of the experience, rightly sweet, slightly fizzy and packed a punch. Was adequately the good stuff. 5/10.

Thus my experience at Sambal. So i was told that this outlet is owned by some influenced personells in Kuala Lumpur. The total damage was RM22.8 without receipt because their receipt puncher was damaged.

That is my experience in 'Sambal", probably it was my bad timing to dine at this outlet and hence the disappointment. Prime location wasted and what a shame!!

Do share with me your differing view and im all ears to hear about "Sambal" phenomenon.






Sambal Sauce
No. 201 Jalan Tun Sambanthan 50470 Kuala Lumpur. Monday - Sunday
10:00am ~ 10:00pm

Salam Aidilfitri & Happy Holidays

Macha and mikes!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri,

Its been indeed a long time since i blogged. Boy, was super busy and preoccupied with work.

Anyway, mikes if you lots are traveling back to your home town, drive safe and keep vigil. If your tired, do stop by at rest areas and take rest. There will be someone waiting for you to reach. Take precaution yo!!

Macha, drive safe and Happy holidays yo!

Prefecto Chips

Mikes....hello! How have you been mikes?

Besides the usual work, i had to sot some dramas out and keep my head straight. I am quite glad that the parody is over and life goes on, right?

So, today, not much of any heavy writing, you know #WorldCup and as we all know besides great company, a good snack is a must! Agreed?

This is Presto Chips, so i was told it is new in the market. They were promoting the product and i managed to sample a few la, "new in the market" bukan?

Where the Flavours Comes Alive

Choose your chips flavour and have them dressed with some condiments

Thats how you do it

What we chose to sample

Crowd sampling

Overall it tasted good with tad bit salt sticking to the tongue but i still prefer Chachos. This market sampling was conducted for free. Therefore, if you ever happen to see this truck anywhere, do go ahead and try.

Anyway mikes! Do munch away your snacks and watch the Game. For me, may the sexiest man team win.

#WorldCup2014 #snacks #sexymen